How to Get Rid of Trapped Gas? 15 Effective Home Remedies to Try
Trapped gas in the stomach is a common problem which everyone may have experienced at some point in life. For some, dealing with trapped gas in the stomach can be a daily regime. The food we eat or the way in which we consume it can create gas in the stomach.
Gas accumulates in the intestine as food is broken down and assimilated. This often leads to burping, belching, or flatulence and invite you embarrassing situations. Knowing how to get rid of trapped gas can help you prevent this embarrassment. There are simple ways or home remedies that will tell you how to get rid of gas in the stomach.
Related Reading: Stomach Gurgling: Common Causes and Home Treatments
What is Trapped Gas? Is It Normal?
Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion process in human beings and animals. An individual produces one to three pints of gas per day on average. This gas is released from our body 10-13 times throughout the day in some ways. But if gas builds up in your stomach it will be unpleasant, painful and discomforting. Splenic-flexure syndrome may occur due to gas trapped at bends (flexures) in the colon.
Understanding the causes, trapped gas symptoms, and the process of gas accumulation in the stomach is your answer to how to get rid of trapped gas.
What Causes Trapped Gas?
Indeed, there is more than one source for the gas accumulating in your stomach. We have learned a few of these already, what the others are and how to determine them follows next:
- Swallowed Air: Sometimes repeated belching occurs when you gulp down a large quantity of air the wrong way, and it gets trapped in your belly. This often happens while eating or drinking.
- Food Intake: Foods that contain carbohydrate raffinose, accentuate the quantity of gas production in our bodies. Also, intolerance to some particular consumables like sugar and lactose can cause excessive gas production. Other items include bean, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, Starch and soluble fiber can also add up gas. This gas may get occasionally trapped in the gastrointestinal system.
- Existing Medical Conditions: Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia (persistent pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen), diabetes, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis and Crohn’s disease are the typical maladies that can lead to trapped gas in the stomach.
15 Simple Home Remedies to Get Rid of Trapped Gas
Trapped gas can be very annoying and troublesome. What can be better than natural home remedies for quick relief? Here are simple home remedies that will let you know how to get rid of trapped gas:
1. Peppermint
Peppermint has an antispasmodic effect and is laced with methanol. It calms down the abdominal muscles involved in releasing gas. Have a cup of peppermint tea before each meal.
2. Herbal Teas
Known for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties herbal teas like chamomile tea, peppermint tea, dandelion tea, and ginger root tea improve the digestive process.
Related Reading: 15 Surprising Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea before Bed
3. Activated Charcoal
A tablet of activated charcoal before and an hour after the meal can eliminate trapped gas in your colon. It is an over the counter emergency treatment and is readily available at a nearby pharmacy.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
A tablespoon of diluted apple cider vinegar dissolved in water or tea right before meals, thrice a day can reduce such symptoms.
5. Cloves
Eating a few raw cloves or using clove oil can help in reducing bloating and relieving gas pain almost immediately. It produces digestive enzymes. If cloves are too pungent in taste for you, then go for two to five drops of clove oil in a glass of water after meals.
6. Buttermilk
Buttermilk helps to heal gastric problems as well as keep the gastrointestinal track fit and healthy. Freshly churned buttermilk is one of the best remedies for curing indigestion
7. Simethicone
Simethicone fuses gas bubbles in your stomach and allows natural expulsion. However, you should consult your physician before you opt for simethicone.
8. Lactase Supplements
Lactose is a protein found in the milk. A few people find trouble digesting it. Over the counter, lactase supplements help in the formation of lactase enzyme to break down lactose for easy digestion.
9. Coconut Water
As a high source of electrolytes and protein, coconut water is an excellent remedy to get rid of gas in the stomach.
10. Garlic
You can use garlic in many ways as per your comfort and choice. You can add garlic to recipes, tea or eat raw to cure bacterial issues that trigger the gas entrapment.
11. Seeds
Chewing anise seeds, soaked asafoetida (dried gum/latex from the root of a perennial herb), cardamom, parsley, cinnamon, fennel, soaked caraway seeds, black pepper can ease out of acidity, indigestion and treat gastric irritation.
12. Leaves
Guava leaves can help you get rid of trapped gases. Boil guava leaves and drink the water. Chewing raw celery stalks can also help you get rid of trapped gas.
13. Warm Lemon Water
Warm lemon water soothes the digestive tract, detoxifies the digestive system and helps get rid of stomach pain. Although it is a quick, easy and immediate reliever, it is advised to be careful.
14. Pumpkin
Enriched with surplus fiber content, pumpkin decreases the amount of gas produced in the intestinal tract. The fibers present in pumpkin, act as an absorbing agent for any excess stomach acid and helps with digestion.
15. Baking Soda and Lemon
To soothe an upset stomach you may try a combination of baking soda and lemon. Stir baking soda and ensure that it is completely dissolved, before drinking the solution.
Related Reading: 10 Health Benefits of Baking Soda Bath
There are quick, natural remedies available to rescue you of the gas trapped in your stomach. But a balanced diet and exercises can save you from hassle.
How to Relieve Pain Caused by Trapped Gases?
How to get rid of trapped gas is the primary concern for a person who is suffering from abdominal pain due to gas. To prevent further gas entrapment, please consider the following points:
- Avoid overeating
- Avoid swallowing of air
- Do not control belching to relieve the trapped gas in the chest
- In fact, make attempts to enhance belching and burping by drinking the solution of soda bicarbonate and water
- Try ginger or coriander seeds that will help you to digest cholagogue and release the trapped gas
How to Prevent?
A slight alteration in old habits, diet, and lifestyle, can do wonders and prevent gas entrapment in the stomach. Some of these variations can be:
- Right posture while eating and chewing properly for easy digestion
- Avoid chewing gums and other gas causing foods
- Say no to soda and other carbonated beverages
- Quit smoking
- Add exercise to your daily regime
- Avoid straws for drinking
If the problem persists, do not hesitate to consult an experienced doctor.
Sources:
Whitmore, M., “How to Relieve Trapped Stomach Gases,” Livestrong web site, August 14, 2017; http://www.livestrong.com/article/535549-how-to-relieve-trapped-stomach-gases.
Garikiparithi, M., “Trapped gas treatment: How to get rid of trapped gas naturally,” Belmarra Health web site, September 05, 2017; https://www.belmarrahealth.com/trapped-gas-treatment-get-rid-trapped-gas-naturally.
Whelan, C., “How to Get Rid of Gas, Pains, and Bloating,” Healthline web site, February 28, 2017; https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/get-rid-of-gas-pains-and-bloating.
Chittenden, B., “How to Get Rid of Trapped Gas,” June 16, 2017; https://www.doctorshealthpress.com/general-health-articles/get-rid-of-trapped-gas.
Mary, “Trapped Gas,” Bye Bye Doctor web site; https://byebyedoctor.com/trapped-gas/, last accessed October 25, 2017.