Belching, bloating, and flatulence are a normal part of your digestive process. But if your gas is excessive or causing social anxiety, you may have gas-bloat syndrome. Meade Edmunds, MD, and his team at Edmunds Gastroenterology in Knoxville, Tennessee, have years of experience helping people manage their digestive concerns and can provide a treatment plan for your gas-bloat syndrome. Call the office today or request an appointment online.
The passage of gas is normal. The problem is when the gas becomes excessive and is associated with abdominal pain or social embarrassment.
Factors which result in excessive gas often include anxiety, gulping of food, chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, or drinking through a straw. Artificial sweeteners are also a cause of excessive gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
You may also develop excessive gas if bacteria from your colon is given to the small bowel, which is called bacterial overgrowth. This transfer of bacteria may result in the fermentation of carbohydrates in your small bowel, which may result in excessive gas and bloating.
The gas that develops in your digestive tract occurs when you swallow air and through the breakdown of food in your colon by the friendly bacteria. Most swallowed air is released when you belch. However, some of the air may continue through your digestive tract and be partially absorbed or released through your rectum once it enters your large intestines.
Your digestive system isn’t able to break down certain types of foods, namely some of the sugars, starches, and fiber found in carbohydrates. The friendly bacteria in your colon break down the undigested food and release gas into your large intestines, which you then expel through your rectum.
You may experience an increase in production of gas, bloating, and pain if you have constipation, a food intolerance such as lactose intolerance, or some other digestive condition.
Gas often results in abdominal cramping and pain, as well as distension of the abdomen. You may also experience excessive belching and flatulence. Although, for the record, it’s normal to pass gas as often as 23 times a day.
Depending upon the cause of the gas, treatment options vary. FOr example, if gas is caused by nutritional substances, such as lactose-containing foods, then avoidance of these foods or using LactaidⓇ supplements may help with relieving the gas.
Constipation should be treated to avoid this as a source of abdominal distention. Foods such as beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, onions, sugar-free candies, chewing gum, carbonated drinks, and beer are substances that may relate to the development of gas.
Abnormal gallbladder function may also result in abdominal distention, bloating, and gas.
Gas-absorbing agents such as BeanoⓇ, PhazymeⓇ, or Gas-XⓇ may help reduce your gas.
For medical management of your embarrassing gas and bloating, contact the experienced team at Edmunds Gastroenterology today or request an appointment online.
This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult with your primary care physician or a specialist regarding your symptoms.
