People either don’t realize it enough or are met with shame when they want to discuss gas problems.
Passing gas is as natural as it gets. Air gets trapped into the body for various reasons and is then passed out via the anus or the mouth –in the form of burps. However, there can be situations in which this gas gets trapped in the gastrointestinal tract, causing problems then.
The pain associated with trapped gas can be very intense. It can cause cramping so severe that one believes themselves in danger of serious problems like heart attack, appendicitis etc.
There can be various reasons for the gas getting trapped in the digestive tract. It could be due to digestive problems like diarrhea or constipation. Trapped gas can also be a sign of more serious problems if they are also accompanied by nausea, bloody stools, weight problems etc. In such cases, schedule a visit to the best Gastroenterologist in Karachi.
Getting rid of the gas
If it’s your run of the mill situation with the trapped gas causing bloating and cramps, there are things that you can do to get better. Some of them include:
Avoid certain foods
There are some foods that can aggravate the situation by promoting conditions that enable trapping of the gas. Foods to avoid in this regard include fried and fatty food, spicy items, vegetables like garlic and onion, dairy products, legumes, etc.
You don’t need to give them up altogether, but at least avoid them during periods where you are experiencing gas issues.
Certain herbs
Certain herbs are touted as remedies for the gas. One such trick is to take fennel seeds –however, pregnant or nursing women should not try these—and the other is to take turmeric. Other herbs that can be of use include anise and coriander.
Don’t hold it in
If you are getting an urge to pass gas, try to remove yourself from the present company and pass it in seclusion. Holding it in can cause further problems.
Exercise
Exercise can aid in moving the gas along the tract. You may do some cardio, or some walk. Even increase in physical activity otherwise can also help with the release of exercise.
Don’t drink carbonated beverages
Alongside doing the helpful, avoiding the unhelpful is also important. Carbonated beverages have gas inside, which can make your situation worse. Hence, try to avoid all such beverages. Drinking them with straws is especially unhelpful, as one then swallows greater amounts of air then.
Go to the loo
Passing stool can also help with the release of the gas. So, if and when you get an urge, try not to hold it in.
Heat or massage
Using heat can help with relaxing the GI tract, which then aids in the release of the gas. Similarly, massaging on your stomach and abdominal region can also help achieve the same results.
Tea
Drinking herbal tea or even warm water can be effective in helping the trapped gas to move alone. Some teas that are helpful for your GI tract include peppermint, ginger, chamomile teas.
Yoga
Some of the yoga poses can also help with the release of the gas. One such helpful pose is to first lie down on a flat surface. Then, hug your knees to your chest, and lift your head then to meet your knees, as if you are curling into a ball. Hold the pose for a few seconds, and then release.
Word of caution
There are some medical problems as well that can increase your predisposition towards gas getting trapped in the tract. Apart from fool intolerance and constipation, proliferation of the bad bacteria in the gut can also lead to greater production of gas.
Similarly, it can also be a sign of chronic intestinal disease, which then merits treatment from the Gastroenterologist in Islamabad.
