woman holding stomach with gas pain on couch It’s not unusual to have belly pressure, bloating and cramps after drinking a Diet Coke or eating a big meal. While bothersome, these symptoms often improve within a few hours. But what if the puffiness is downright painful and you can’t wait? To find out how to relieve gas pain fast, we connected with several experts. Here, we explore their top home remedies. What causes gas pain?
woman with gas pain sitting on couch holding stomach It’s helpful to know a bit about how the digestive system works to understand why gas causes abdominal pain.
“Our intestines are 25 feet long and covered with stretch receptors, which monitor pressure and sound the alarm if something is off,” explains Will Bulsiewicz, MD , a board-certified gastroenterologist, best-selling author and founder of 38TERA.
“Think of them like one of those long, skinny balloons,” he says. “The balloon can be blown up with air, and when it does, it stretches and stretches as the pressure inside increases. When our intestines are stretched by excessive gas, the stretch receptors send signals to the brain that make us feel pain and discomfort.”
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What gas pain feels like
Gas pain varies in severity and presents symptoms similar to other digestive problems. However, telltale signs of gas pain include: Sharp abdominal pain
Cramping
Bloating A feeling of fullness If the gas is in your small intestine, Dr. Bulsiewicz says you might also have discomfort or tenderness around your belly button.Regardless of symptoms, if you experience relief after burping or passing gas, gas is likely to blame. “Once trapped gas is released, generally the discomfort lessens,” Dr. Bulsiewicz explains. How to relieve gas pain “If you notice an increase in gas or gas pains, it’s likely due to your diet and [the] foods you consume,” says Laura Purdy, MD, MBA , a board-certified family medicine physician and the medical director of SWELL Medical.Common dietary culprits include high-fiber foods, dairy products (for those with lactose intolerance), carbonated beverages, chewing gum and […]
How to Relieve Gas Pain Fast: Expert Tips To Soothe Your Digestive Tract