Trapped Wind: Causes & Remedies
Table of contents:
- What is trapped wind?
- Symptoms of trapped wind
- How do you get trapped wind?
- How to treat trapped wind
- 10 Alternative remedies to get rid of trapped wind
- When to see a doctor
- Takeaways
What is trapped wind?
Trapped wind occurs when gas builds up in the stomach and bowel. Although trapped wind isn't serious it can be uncomfortable, painful and deeply embarrassing. Trapped wind should pass after a few hours.
Symptoms of trapped wind
- Bloating
- Feeling over full
- Rumbling or gurgling noises in the tummy
- Passing wind (sometimes foul-smelling)
How do you get trapped wind?
Trapped wind occurs when excess swallowed air moves from the stomach into the intestines making you feel bloated until the air is released as flatulence. Excess air can be swallowed by drinking fizzy drinks, chewing gum, smoking and eating too fast.
Flatulence also occurs when food fails to break down properly in the stomach and small intestine and ends up undigested in the bowels. Hungry bacteria in the bowel gobbles it up producing gasses as it does so including smelly hydrogen sulfide. Most of this gas is absorbed into your bloodstream but the rest is released as flatulence. This can occur when you eat carbohydrates that are not easily digested - culprits include beans, cabbage, pulses, prunes, lentils and cauliflower to name but a few.
Some health conditions can also cause flatulence including constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease, lactose intolerance and gastroenteritis.
How to treat trapped wind
Medication for trapped wind by tried and tested brands like Rennie and Bisodol can help greatly. They include charcoal tablets which work by absorbing gas in the digestive system. Charcoal pads worn in your underwear are also available. These absorb the gas that is released during flatulence and mask the foul-smelling gas.
Probiotics may also be useful in treating trapped wind. These are dietary supplements which encourage the growth of "friendly bacteria" in your digestive system to aid digestion.
Buy medication for trapped wind
10 Alternative remedies to get rid of trapped wind
- Avoid eating unabsorbable carbohydrates that trigger flatulence such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lentils, artichokes or raisins.
- Eat smaller meals as overeating can increase the production of gas.
- Take time to chew your food so that it is broken down into small pieces that will be easy to digest.
- Don’t drink during meals as the liquid you drink can dilute stomach acid and make digestion more difficult.
- Avoid drinking fizzy drinks as you will swallow more air when drinking them.
- Don’t drink from a bottle or use a straw as you can swallow more air when doing so.
- Drink herbal tea. Ginger, peppermint, chamomile or fennel teas will help alleviate the pain associated with trapped wind.
- Avoid smoking as tobacco can irritate the intestines and the stomach and cause bloating.
- Avoid chewing gum as this causes you to swallow more air than normal.
- Exercise can help as this improves the functioning of your digestive system and bowels.
- Put a hot water bottle on your stomach. The heat helps to reduce bloating. Alternatively, take a warm bath.
When to see a doctor
Speak to a doctor if you experience trapped wind for a long period of time or if it is a recurring problem. You should also see a doctor if:
- Trapped wind is combined with persisting bloating, constipation or diarrhoea
- Trapped wind is combined with sharp pain
- You have blood in your stool
- Trapped wind is combined with unexplained weight loss
- You have any signs of an infection like a high temperature or are vomiting
Takeaways
Trapped wind happens when air builds up in your stomach and bowel, making you feel bloated. Over-the-counter medication is available to help you treat the issue, however, you might consider alternative remedies like changes in your lifestyle and diet to get rid of trapped wind naturally.
Sources:
- Bloating, NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bloating/
- Trapped Wind, Gas and Bloating, Patient: https://patient.info/digestive-health/irritable-bowel-syndrome-leaflet/wind-gas-and-bloating
- Trapped Wind and How to Relieve it, IBDrelief: https://www.ibdrelief.com/learn/symptoms/trapped-wind-and-how-to-relieve-it
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