| While having gas may be one of the eternal subjects of bawdy humor, anyone who has it doesn't think of it as a joke. Stomach gas can not only cause belching and flatulence, but it can also make you feel awful with the pain and bloating that go along with it. If you're looking for ways to relieve stomach gas, then you'll be happy to know there are some simple things you can do. One of the causes of gas build up is the habit of swallowing too much air. This can be the result of taking in air when we are chewing our food or gum, or it may be that we don't breathe properly in general. Once you are aware of these possible bad habits, you can start to make the changes needed to reduce this potential cause of gas in the stomach. Taking in too much air isn't the only cause of gas, but it is one of the easiest to fix, so it's a good place to start.
The next step you can take to get rid of gas is to eat fewer of the foods that cause gas. Some of the well-known offenders for making people gassy are beans, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. The downside is that these are also some of the healthiest foods you can eat. They are low in fat and high in fiber. And even though they may cause gas, it's important that you get plenty of fiber as part of your daily diet. On the plus side, there are tablets and powders that you can take with your meal that promise to reduce gas, but they aren't 100% effective in all people.
Other foods to watch out for are those that are heavy in white flour and sugar. These are heavily processed foods, and the body breaks them down differently, which can sometimes lead to gas. Spicy foods also have a tendency to wreak havoc on your stomach, so you may want to bypass those as well. Everybody is different, and may respond to various foods in different ways. One thing that may help is to keep a record of everything you eat for a few weeks, and also track how your stomach feels throughout the day. By doing this, you should be able to get a good idea of what your specific problem foods are.
If you feel like you have tried everything, but still have a gassy stomach, then it's time to make an appointment with your doctor. While it can be embarrassing to talk about, remember that your doctor is a professional and won't make fun of you or your problem. There is always a chance that there are more major underlying health issues. So it's important to seek medical advice if the problem is persists.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you don't have to live with stomach gas. You now have some information that you can use to start feeling better, but it's up to you to take the first step. |