Dealing with gas can be painful, frustrating, and certainly embarrassing. While bodily functions are nothing to be ashamed of, it isn’t fun to deal with an issue that causes you to pass gas too much. If you are struggling with excessive gas, you are probably curious to find out why you are dealing with these issues. What causes excessive gas?
There are several different causes of excess gas, as well as various treatment options that can help to lessen symptoms and inspire better health in the gut. At the office of Dr. Siamak Tabib, a top gastroenterologist in Los Angeles, our specialists are equipped to deal specifically with issues affecting the digestive tract. Below, you will find some of the biggest causes and symptoms of gas, as well as the most viable treatments.
Symptoms of Excessive Gas
It is important to evaluate your symptoms before being able to figure out the causes of excessive gas. You’ll need to determine whether or not you do actually have excessive gas. The most common symptoms of gas typically include:
- Bloating and swelling of the stomach
- Passing gas between 10 and 25 times a day
- Excess pain in the abdomen
- Constant burping or belching
Everyone has gas from time to time. But if you are experiencing these symptoms non-stop, there is a clear indication that you need to see your trusted gastroenterologist.
Biggest Causes of Excessive Gas
What causes excessive symptoms of gas? While gas will always pass through our bodies as a normal part of the digestive process, too much gas or gas that does not properly exit the body can become a problem.
This can happen for many reasons, including:
Certain Foods and Drinks
Eating an excess of certain kinds of foods can cause a lot of gas. According to WebMD, the foods most commonly linked to gas include legumes, lentils, green vegetables, lactose, oats, sweet fruits, corn, potatoes, apple juice, milk, and artificial sweeteners.
Be especially careful with starchy foods, as soluble fiber can get stuck in the digestive system and can cause a backup. Whole grains and whole wheat products should also be looked at in moderation.
Swallowing Air
You may not think that swallowed air is much of an issue, but it can happen more often than you’d think. You swallow air every time you chew gum, eat too fast, have a smoke, suck on a candy, or drink a carbonated beverage. In most cases, these substances cause you to burp, but sometimes the gas can get stuck further along your digestive tract.
Intestinal Issues
Certain conditions may lend themselves to the development of excess gas. If you have been previously diagnosed with IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), lactose intolerance, or celiac disease, and your excess gas symptoms are bothering you, you need to schedule an appointment with your doctor ASAP.
Excess Gas Treatments
You can reduce your symptoms of excess gas through different lifestyle and habit changes. This is especially true if your gas is caused as a result of your swallowing air from smoking or drinking fizzy drinks. A change in diet away from starches and legumes can also help you reduce your gas symptoms.
If you are also dealing with a gastrointestinal issue such as IBS, you may need additional treatments. Dr. Tabib can prescribe lactase tablets, an alpha-galactosidase, or bloating medicine to help provide relief from your symptoms while you work on additional treatments to prevent excess gas from occurring again.
Get Your Gas Under Control!
Dealing with a lot of gas is a miserable experience. In some cases, the pain or discomfort is so severe that it prevents you from going about your day. If you are struggling with excess gas, get in touch with Dr. Tabib right away. You can contact us online or call us at 310-683-4911 to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
