Let it (gas) go!

August 14th, 2018

I’m seeing many people are suffering from gas pains.  We are eating way too quickly (often inhaling food), not drinking enough fluids with our food, and drinking gassy liquids such as sodas and seltzers.  These can all cause gas to be trapped in our stomachs and intestines.  When this happens, we can feel uncomfortable abdominal or even chest pains!   The intestines and stomach are adjacent to our diaphragm and are very close to the heart and lungs.  Many times a week, someone will come into my office thinking they are having a heart attack, but after taking antacids and gas-relieving medications they feel immediately better.  I think part of the problem is that we are afraid to let go of our gas as it is not usually socially acceptable to pass gas from below or burp/belch in public.  As a result, we keep it all inside and it build until we have severe pain or discomfort.

Here are some tips I recommend to help you prevent/release gas:

• Eat more slowly- when we eat fast, we will swallow extra air with our food, eating slowly allows for less air.
• Avoid fizzy beverages- sodas, beer, seltzers, and champagne are extremely bloating.
• Avoid drinking beverages with a straw- drinking with a straw makes us ingest more gas than drinking from a glass
• Lie down and pull your knees up to your chest and hold them with your hands.  You can also rock from side to side on your back while in this position.  Ever wonder why many people pass gas in a yoga class?
• Take Gas-X tablets with your meals.  This is a pretty harmless medication (which never gets absorbed into your bloodstream, stays only in your intestines) which will effectively reduce gas.  I find this medication very helpful when I’m drinking/eating foods which I know will be gas forming such as beans, cauliflower, broccoli, and beer.
• Go to the bathroom when you feel gas is building and burp/pass gas from below.  I usually go into a stall and sit on the toilet (not to have a bowel movement).
• Identify foods which cause you to produce more gas.  Many are have been well-studied and called FODMAP foods.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners (in coffee, sugar free gum, sodas, etc.)- while they may make your food taste sweeter, they are notorious for causing gas and bloating and even diarrhea in large amounts!
• Drink plenty of water when you  eat.  Water helps you to digest food and pass food along your digestive tract.  I always tell people to take a sip of water in between every few bites of food.