Bloating, burping and passing gas are natural and are usually caused by swallowed air or the breakdown of food through digestion. You may experience gas and gas pains only occasionally or repeatedly in a single day. When gas and gas pains interfere with your daily activities, it may be an indication of something serious. Find out how to reduce or avoid gas and gas pains, and when you may need to see your doctor.
Bloating: Gas buildup in your stomach and intestines
When gas doesn’t pass through belching or flatulence, it can build up in the stomach and intestines and lead to bloating. Bloating is often accompanied by abdominal pain — either mild and dull or sharp and intense. Passing gas or having a bowel movement may relieve the pain.
Bloating may be related to:
Eating fatty foods. Fat delays stomach emptying and can increase the sensation of fullness
Stress or anxiety
Smoking
A gastrointestinal infection, blockage or disease
Irritable bowel syndrome, a condition characterized by abdominal pain or cramping and changes in bowel function
Conditions such as celiac disease or lactose intolerance in which the intestines aren’t able to digest and absorb certain components of food
To reduce bloating, it may help to avoid or reduce the amount of gas-producing foods you eat. Many carbohydrates cause gas, and the following items are common culprits:
Baked beans
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carbonated drinks
Cauliflower
Chewing gum
Fruits such as apples, peaches and pears
Hard candy
Lettuce
