Did you know that the average person passes gas up to 25 times per day? If you aren’t known for breaking wind, you probably do most of it overnight while you sleep. But don’t worry – farting a lot is actually healthy.
Am I Passing Too Much Gas?
But like anything, too much can stop being a good thing. Is there such a thing as passing too much gas? If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I passing too much gas?”, then you’ve come to the right place. Many patients at the office of Dr. Tabib wonder if they have too much gas in the digestive tract. Let’s take a look at what symptoms may indicate that you are indeed dealing with too much gas and how to seek proper treatment.
Symptoms of Excessive Gas
Gas pains and discomfort are no fun to deal with. It is important to reach out to your doctor if you are going through any of these things on a regular basis:
- Sharp pains in your abdomen
- Debilitating cramps
- Feeling of knots in your stomach
- Bloating or excessive pressure in the abdomen
- Burping and passing gas excessively
Not only can these symptoms be limiting and even embarrassing, but they are also a sign that something may not be quite right. It is important to contact your local doctor if you haven’t been feeling well for awhile. If your pain lasts a long time or is accompanied by chest pain, you should visit the emergency room.
What Causes Excessive Gas?
There are many different causes of excessive gas that could be giving you pain. Typically, excessive gas comes from eating certain types of foods. Legumes like beans and lentils, for example, are more likely to give you gas. This is also true of whole grains, veggies, and some fruits. Anything high in fiber makes your body produce more gas. But there could be other dietary factors at play. In addition to having too much of a certain type of food, certain eating habits might perpetuate gas production. Those who take too many fiber supplements, drink too many carbonated drinks, or eat too quickly during each meal can also experience a buildup of gas over time.
If diet-based issues are ruled, out, it might be possible that a prior medical condition is causing you to experience these symptoms. You may have a chronic intestinal disease or you might have a food allergy that is causing your body to become intolerant. Lactose is a common ingredient that can cause excessive gas in some people. It is possible that you are constipated or dealing with other issues in the small bowel. In any case, a visit to your doctor is what’s most important.
Best Treatments for Excessive Gas
Depending on the severity of your symptoms as well as the initial cause, your doctor may recommend a number of treatments. For instance, the best treatment for gas related to diet is to invest in a reduction of dairy, high-fiber foods, and carbonated drinks. You may also want to try out a new exercise routine to keep your body more regulated.
There are a few over-the-counter treatments that your doctor may recommend if you just have a mild case of gas. In more serious cases, your doctor may want to meet with you again to establish a long-term care plan to get your dietary tract in good working health again.
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Tabib Today
The worst thing you can do for your gas pains is to ignore them. If you are tired of being constantly bloated and uncomfortable, make an appointment with your local gastroenterologist in Los Angeles and let your doctor know what’s going on. Excessive gas in the digestive tract can be treated easily when you trust in your professional experts.
