Does your gas come out at the top or bottom? What each one means and how to prevent it –

There are different ways for excess gas to manifest itself in our body: through belching, flatulence (the fart) and bloating.

Whatever your case, the point is that it’s always a nuisance and the secret to ending it is to identify where it starts (and where it ends), to treat the embarrassing symptoms.

WHERE DOES THE GAS COME OUT AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN

belching it is usually the gases that escape from the mouth. O swelling is used to describe the feeling of excess stomach gas that has not yet been released by belching. This gas is mainly caused by swallowing air while consuming food or drink.

A flatulenceor fart, is intestinal gas that escapes from the rectum. It is caused by the body’s inability to absorb or digest some carbohydrates. After this undigested food passes into the small intestine, bacteria break it down, producing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and sometimes methane. “Some food intolerances, for example lactose, gluten or other allergies can cause this symptom”, warns Dr. Kate Koetzfrom the For All Group clinic, in São Paulo, Postgraduate student in nutrology at USP.

CAUSES OF GAS AND HOW TO AVOID IT

It is common to experience some gas after eating. According to National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the United States, passing gas (by belching or flatulence) about 13 to 21 times a day is normal.

But if you’re experiencing painful gas and the embarrassment of chronic, smelly flatulence, you can follow the tips below.

1

Avoid foods known to cause gas

Common culprits include:

Fibrous fruits like apples and pears; Vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and onions; Whole grains; Dairy products including milk, cheese and ice cream.

These items contain fiber, sugars and starches that are not easily digested or absorbed, causing gas in the intestines. Some people are bothered by soft drinks and fruit juices. If you find that these foods are causing excessive gas, eliminate them from your diet or consume them in smaller portions.

But keep in mind that almost any food or food combination has the potential to cause gas, even if it’s not on this list. It will depend on how your organism manifests itself with each one. Keeping a food diary and noting what you ate and when you felt gassy can help pinpoint the culprit.

two

Drink it before of meals

If you drink liquids with meals, you dilute the stomach acids and cannot break down the food as easily, causing these larger pieces to need more fermentation in digestion, which leads to gas. Try drinking it about 30 minutes before meals to help your stomach digest better.

3

Eat and drink slowly

When you eat or drink fast, you can swallow a lot of air, which can cause gas. One tip is to drop the cutlery on the plate with each bite instead of always keeping them in hand. This will make you less in a hurry to take the next bite.

Following the same logic to prevent air from entering, avoid smoking, chewing gum or drinking through straws.

4

Avoid (some) artificial sweeteners

Sorbitol and sugar alcohols, which are used in many sugar-free versions of foods, can also make gas worse. The other artificial sweeteners like sucralose, saccharin, and aspartame are not associated with gas or laxative effects, so they’re okay.

5

Try herbs for gas relief

Some research suggests that various herbs can help relieve excess gas. A review published in European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Studies found that ginger helps speed up digestion, causing gas to move more quickly into the small intestine to relieve bloating and discomfort.

Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that peppermint oil significantly improved symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including abdominal pain.

WHEN YOU NEED TO TREAT

– (Tharakorn/Thinkstock/Getty Images)

If excessive gas is persistent or severe, consult your doctor – it could be a sign of a more serious digestive issue, such as:

Lactose intolerance It is the inability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and its derivatives.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Patients with this diagnosis often suffer more from pain in the lower abdomen.
colon cancer But attention! Excessive gas is rarely the main symptom of colon cancer patients.
Upper gastrointestinal disorders Occasional belching is normal, but frequent belching can be a sign of this condition, which includes ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying.