Trapped Gas: 7 Home Remedies For Immediate Relief

Trapped Gas: 7 Home Remedies For Immediate Relief - Passing gas is very natural, even if for some people it might be an uncomfortable subject. According to John Hopkins University, the majority of people actually do it about 14 times every day.

While most people pass gas occasionally without any problems, there is a chance that too much gas could get stuck in the digestive tract and cause uncomfortable symptoms like belching, flatulence, bloating, and discomfort in the abdomen.

Continue reading to find out more about trapped gas, including its causes, symptoms, and preventative measures. You'll also find seven at-home cures for instant relief.

Trapped Gas: 7 Home Remedies For Immediate Relief

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What Is Gas Trapped?

According to Nashville family doctor Laura Purdy, M.D., who is board-certified, "gas can become trapped when it accumulates in the intestines or stomach, resulting in uncomfortable bloating, discomfort, and even pain."

Dr. Purdy states that belching, flatulence, and stomach gurgling are signs of trapped gas. Burping, bloating, and distention (abdominal swelling) are other symptoms.

7 HOME REMEDIES FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF FROM TRAPPED GAS

Experts say that with natural therapies like the ones listed below, one may be able to relieve trapped gas on their own.

Applying Heat

According to Casey H. Mabry, M.D., an internal medicine specialist at Ascension Saint Agnes in Ellicott City, Maryland, heat can be a comforting treatment for gas discomfort. Dr. Mabry advises taking a warm bath or placing a heating pad on the stomach. The results should manifest within ten to fifteen minutes of repeating this, if necessary.

Peppermint Tea 

According to Dr. Purdy, consuming peppermint tea can assist to relax the muscles in the digestive tract. This could make it possible for gas that has been trapped to go through the digestive system. There hasn't been much study done on these possible outcomes, though.

One cup (eight ounces) of boiling water should be soaked for ten minutes with one teaspoon (five grams) of dried peppermint leaves or a peppermint tea bag.

Note: Peppermint tea can relax the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus, which may enable acid to flow into the esophagus and cause heartburn and indigestion. As a result, those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should avoid drinking peppermint tea.

Cider Vinegar Apple

According to Dr. Purdy, apple cider vinegar (ACV) may be able to aid with gas discomfort. Research on ACV's connection to digestion is, however, insufficient.

Dr. Purdy advises either selecting an ACV supplement, such a tablet or gummy, or consuming one tablespoon of ACV diluted in a glass of water. When taking a supplement, be sure you adhere to the recommended dosage and frequency listed on the package.

Activated Charcoal

Charcoal that has been burned to increase its porosity is called activated charcoal. Gas molecules could be better captured by the additional gaps the charcoal creates. Recent studies haven't, however, conclusively linked activated charcoal to a decrease in bloating.

Although there are many different kinds of activated charcoal supplements on the market and in shops, it is advisable to speak with a healthcare provider before using an activated charcoal supplement for gas.

Exercise 

Regular bowel movements may be encouraged by mild exercise, such as yoga or walking, according to Dr. Mabry. A 2021 study that was published in the journal Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Bed to Bench suggested that walking for 10 to 15 minutes following each meal might help alleviate symptoms such as bloating, pain in the abdomen, and gas incontinence.

Abdominal Massage

According to Dr. Mabry, abdominal massage may help gas bubbles pass through the digestive system. She recommends giving the "I Love U" (ILU) massage method a try; it may be done once a day. It entails the subsequent actions.

• Form the letter "I" by making a stroke from the lower left side of the rib cage to the left hip bone. Do this ten times.
• Form the letter "L" by extending a stroke from left to right beneath the rib cage and down to the left hip bone. Do this ten times.
• Form an inverted "U" with a stroke that goes from the right hip bone up to the right rib cage, across to the left rib cage, and down to the left hip bone. Do this ten times.
• Finally, massage the belly button in a clockwise direction for one to two minutes. Dr. Mabry says that this is an optional step.

ILU massage may help preterm infants (those born before the end of a 37-week pregnancy term) with their gastrointestinal problems, according to a 2021 clinical trial published in the Journal of Complementary Integrative Medicine. Similarly, a 2018 clinical trial published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found that abdominal massage may help intensive care patients receiving endotracheal tube feedings. Nevertheless, more study is required to validate positive outcomes in a group of healthy adults.

Over The Counter Medicine

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, including simethicone, a silicone molecule used to treat bloating and flatulence, may help relieve the symptoms of gas. Remethicone is an ingredient in the following brand-name drugs:

• Gas-X
• Alka-Seltzer Anti-Gas
• Mylanta Gas
• Phazyme

What Does Trapped Gas Pain Feel Like?

Dr. Purdy says, "Most of the time, trapped gas causes dull, achy abdominal pain." She says, "You can have severe aches in your chest as well as bloating and a sharp pressure in your belly or chest."

Dr. Purdy advises getting medical attention if symptoms persist for more than a few hours or if there is an abrupt, intense, or severe pain experienced. These signs may point to a more serious illness.

Why Does Gas Get Trapped?

One of the following things frequently causes gas in the digestive tract:

• Digestive. Problems and difficulties. In the small intestine, certain carbohydrates—such as sugar, starch, and fiber—are not absorbed or broken down. Rather, they enter the big intestine and are broken down by gut bacteria. In around one-third of the population, methane gas is produced instead of the typical hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Some people may have digestive symptoms such as constipation, bloating, and abdominal discomfort when exposed to methane. Additionally, some people may have dietary intolerances that, when consumed with particular meals or drinks, might cause digestive problems. For instance, eating foods high in lactose, such milk, might cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea in those who are lactose intolerant.
• Ingesting air. Air swallowing, or aerophagia, can be brought on by smoking, chewing gum, or consuming food and liquids too rapidly. Those who wear loose-fitting dentures may also be affected. While some air may enter the digestive tract and be released during flatulence, the majority of air held after swallowing is typically ejected during belching.

How Can You Prevent Trapped Gas?

Even while trapped gas cannot be completely avoided, a person's system may be less likely to accumulate gas if they follow specific dietary guidelines or adopt other practices. The preventative techniques listed below could be helpful.

• Dietary adjustments: Steer clear of or consume fewer items that can be difficult to digest, such as alcohol and carbonated drinks, as well as foods related to gas, such as legumes (beans, peas, and lentils) and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc.). 
• Avoiding inhaling air Air swallowing can be avoided by eating or drinking more slowly. Steer clear of hard sweets and chewing gum. In addition, see a dentist if you wear dentures to be sure they fit properly and won't cause air swallowing. 
• Take a digestive enzyme: When taken before to meals or snacks, several over-the-counter digestive enzymes may assist facilitate the digestion of specific foods. For instance, the enzyme lactase aids in the digestion of lactose-containing foods like milk and ice cream. But because OTC digestive enzymes aren't subject to FDA regulation, their enzyme concentrations may vary, and there isn't much data to support their substantial advantages for healthy people.

Bloating, belching, flatulence, and other unpleasant symptoms can result from trapped gas. Dr. Purdy advises getting medical attention if gas suddenly flares up or causes extremely intense or severe pain in order to rule out the possibility of a possibly more serious health problem. 

You might need to try a few different options before you discover one that suits you. Although there is little evidence, some patients may find relief from their symptoms with home treatments like apple cider vinegar, warm tea, or belly massage.

Sources

Footnotes

• Gas in the Digestive Tract. Johns Hopkins University. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Hosseini-Asl MK, Taherifard E and Mousavi MR. The effect of a short-term physical activity after meals on gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with functional abdominal bloating: a randomized clinical trial. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench. 2021 Winter;14(1):59–66.
• Moghadam A, Nematollahi M, OstadEbrahimi H et al. The effect of abdominal massage (I Love You method) on the gastric function of preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care units: a randomized clinical trial. J Complement Integr Med. 2021 May 25;19(1):139-143.
• Dehghan M, Fatehi Poor A, Mehdipoor R, Ahmadinejad M. Does abdominal massage improve gastrointestinal functions of intensive care patients with an endotracheal tube?: A randomized clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;30:122-128.

References

• Gas in the Digestive Tract. Johns Hopkins University. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Farting. NHS inform. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Panda V, Shinde P et al. A comparative study of the antacid effect of some commonly consumed foods for hyperacidity in an artificial stomach model. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2017;34:111-115.
• Definition & Facts for Gas in the Digestive Tract. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Gas in the Digestive Tract. Cedars-Sinai. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Symptoms & Causes of Gas in the Digestive Tract. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Peppermint. Mount Sinai. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Does Activated Charcoal Help with Gas and Bloating?. UCLA Health. Assessed 09/04/23.
• European Food Safety Authority (EFSA.). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to activated charcoal and reduction of excessive intestinal gas accumulation (ID 1938) and reduction of bloating (ID 1938) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2049.
• Activated Charcoal. Medline Plus. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Sodium Bicarbonate. Science Direct. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Simethicone. StatPearls. Assessed 09/05/23.
• Simethicone. Medline Plus. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Hosseini-Asl MK, Taherifard E and Mousavi MR. The effect of a short-term physical activity after meals on gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with functional abdominal bloating: a randomized clinical trial. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench. 2021 Winter;14(1):59–66.
• Treatment for Gas in the Digestive Tract. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Assessed 09/04/23.
• Abdomen - swelling. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Accessed 9/6/2023.
• Lactose Intolerance. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Accessed 9/6/2023.
• Bowel Function 101: DIY Belly Massage for Constipation. Greater Boston Urology Blog. Accessed 9/6/2023.
• Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Enzyme Supplements. Johns Hopkins University. Assessed 09/12/23.