Being bloated, gassy, and blocked up stinks, both literally and figuratively. Nobody like being uneasy, whether they are trying to concentrate at work or getting ready for a night out. When that happens, it’s completely acceptable to google “why am I so gassy?”
Feeling gassy is totally natural, even though it could be annoying. The majority of people actually pass gas fairly often throughout the course of the day, according to gastroenterologist Kyle Staller, MD, MPH, of Massachusetts General Hospital. He puts the figure at ten to twenty times per day. So when should you be concerned?
According to Michael D. Brown, MD, the head of the gastrointestinal fellowship program at Rush University Medical Group, keep an eye out for these symptoms as well as additional warning indicators like bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. Jaundice, severe abdominal discomfort, skin changes, joint pain, or gradual and unremitting distention are examples of symptoms beyond the GI tract that can be problematic. When any of these occur, it might be time to visit your doctor.
Excess gassiness may have a variety of causes. According to Dr. Brown, consuming too much carbohydrates is a typical one. It might also be brought on by your eating patterns, food intolerances, or health issues including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
You can determine how to resolve your discomfort by determining what is causing it. Here are all the potential causes of your extreme gassiness and what you may do to address each, according to professionals.Gastroenterologist Michael Brown, MD, has more than 30 years of expertise. At Rush Medical College, he is a professor of medicine and the program’s director for the gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship.
1. You’re swallowing too much air.
Speaking while eating or chewing too much gum can make you swallow a lot of air, even though you may not be aware of it, according to Ashkan Farhadi, MD, a gastroenterologist at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center and the director of MemorialCare Medical Group’s Digestive Disease Project in Fountain Valley, California. Once it’s inside your stomach, it can either come out as a fart or go back up as a burp.
Dr. Brown advises slowing down and chewing food more thoroughly at mealtimes if this is the cause of your problems.
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2. You’re eating too much cruciferous veggies.
Although cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are delectable, they are also notorious for making a mess. According to Dr. Farhadi, certain meals, including these, may cause you to feel more gassy than others if you regularly consume them.
Spice things up is one approach to address this. Dr. Vanessa Méndez, a gastroenterologist, internist, and lifestyle medicine specialist with a focus on digestive diseases, adds that herbs and spices including carom, cumin, ginger, fennel seeds, peppermint, and turmeric are excellent for reducing gassiness and bloating. Additionally, they might add a robust and delightful taste pop to your favourite vegetables.
She claims that asafoetida provides relief from gas. You can eliminate it by just adding a small pinch to your foods.
3. You had too much dairy.
Dairy may seem innocent enough, but as individuals age, they tend to lose the enzyme that aids in breaking it down, according to Dr. Staller. Your body struggles to handle it as a result. That explains why, despite previously devouring sundaes with no problems, you could feel gassy after taking a few mouthful of ice cream.
The answer is straightforward: Try cutting out all dairy products from your diet. Dr. Brown advises using a lactase enzyme supplement, like Lactaid, when ingesting dairy products, to assist ease any potential stomach distress if you can’t bear to do that.
4. You’re ODing on carbs.
According to Dr. Staller, the majority of carbohydrates are converted into sugar in your body, and your gut bacteria adores sugar. If you consume too much of it, your gut may absorb additional sugar. He claims that the microorganisms in your colon “have a field day” and devour the sugar, producing gas as waste.
Reduce your daily carbohydrate intake or attempt a low-FODMAP diet, which involves avoiding carbohydrates that are known to upset the stomach. However, keep in mind that this diet can be highly limiting, so it is advisable to consult a registered dietitian to ensure you’re following it safely and effectively.
5. You’re having too much diet soda and sugar-free gum.
Breaking news: Your body isn’t supposed to absorb foods that include artificial sweeteners like xylitol and sorbitol. Any kind of sugar that your body doesn’t finally absorb will become food for the bacteria in your gut, according to Dr. Farhadi. These indigestible carbohydrates are broken down to produce gas.
Dr. Staller advises taking a close look at your diet and removing a few things to try and resolve the problem if you’ve been experiencing extreme gas lately. It’s time to see your doctor if that doesn’t work.
6. You’re not eating a balanced diet.
Dr. Méndez claims that diets rich in artificial sweeteners, processed meals, refined sugars, and saturated fat will likewise overtax your body’s digestive system and cause excessive gas production.
A plant-based diet and increasing your intake of fiber-rich foods can help. You might also wish to talk to a nutritionist about your worries; they can help you identify trigger foods to stay away from.
7. You recently switched to a vegan diet.
Dr. Méndez explains that if you suddenly increase your intake of fibre, which is found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, and your body is used to eating very little of it, your gut microbiome, which is in charge of breaking down, digesting, and fermenting fibre, won’t be able to keep up with the demands.
Please take note that this does not indicate that your digestive system is in trouble. Simply introduce fibre more gradually to give your stomach time to adjust. Spread out your fibre intake throughout the day by incorporating a small amount into each meal rather than consuming it all at once.
Being bloated, gassy, and blocked up stinks, both literally and figuratively. Nobody like being uneasy, whether they are trying to concentrate at work or getting ready for a night out. When that happens, it’s completely acceptable to google “why am I so gassy?”