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Stomach Gas Relief

Mukta Gaikwad
Stomach gases can land you up in really embarrassing situations. Read on to know what causes them and what are the tips for stomach gas relief.
Stomach gas is a natural by-product of digestion. However, when this gas gets trapped in the stomach, it leads to bloating and flatulence. A bloated stomach is embarrassing and causes severe discomfort all through the day. Stomach gases and bloating problems, stop you from wearing clothes of your choice and doing the things that you want to do.
Its pungent repulsive smell, at awkward timings, can land you in an uncomfortable situation. Fortunately, relief from stomach gas is possible just as much as suffering from them. Let's understand, what's the inside story of what causes excess flatulence in order to get some relief.

Causes

The two main bloating causes and reasons for gases in stomach are swallowing of air and indigestion of food. Swallowing air is called aerophagia. We swallow air, while eating, or drinking. However, when air is swallowed in excess, it leads to gases in the stomach. Eating and drinking in a hurry, drinking with straw, chewing gum, smoking and wearing loose dentures are some of the stomach gas causes.
Most of the swallowed air is released through burping or belching, while some of it gets absorbed in the small intestine. The food we eat, goes to the small intestine, to undergo digestion. However, some of the food that we eat, such as fibers and carbohydrates, are not broken down by the small intestine due to lack of certain enzymes.
This food gets passed on to large intestine, where it's broken down by harmless bacteria into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and methane, in few cases. When the fiber and sugar, remain undigested, it leads to stomach gases.

Foods To Avoid

It is usually foods that are high in carbohydrates that cause stomach gases. Raffinose, lactose, fructose, and sorbitol are some of the type of sugars which cause gases. Even a high protein diet consisting of beans, cabbage, sprouts, whole grains, asparagus, and broccoli can cause stomach gas problems. Lactose is found in all the dairy products and processed dairy products.
Fructose is found in onions, pears and wheat and is also used in non-alcoholic drinks as a sweetener. Sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits like apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. Eating a lot of starch when on a high fiber diet also causes stomach gases.
Food items like potato, corn, and pasta are high in starch, which result in stomach gas. Soluble fiber, is dangerous for your body if it has a tendency to form gases. Thus, simply avoiding them would be the first step towards stomach gas relief.

Relief from Flatulence

Diet

If your body has a tendency to cause gases, then one of the remedies for bloating is to strictly avoid food that result in gases. However, consult your doctor before you make any change in your diet.
Mindlessly, following a diet change, would result in malnutrition. Also, avoiding high-fat food items can go a long way in providing relief. As the amount of gas in the stomach differs from person to person, trial and error method is your only way of knowing the troublesome factor.

Ginger Root Tea

Ginger root tea is known to be the best cure for stomach gas. Boil two slices of ginger root in a cup of water and have it twice a day for 2 weeks for instant relief.

Honey and Lime Water

Stomach gas remedies, such as honey and lime water help you release gases to a great extent. Mix a tablespoon of honey in lukewarm water and squeeze a lemon in it. Stir it well and have it on an empty stomach for guaranteed respite.
You will notice a reduction in flatulence, if you abide by a strict diet, regular meal patterns, and exercise. Increasing physical activity is another way of getting rid of stomach gases. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the best measure that you can take to keep this condition at bay.