Whether you like it or not and how embarrassed one may get, everyone has experienced an upset stomach due to gas issues. Some may get it more than the other and others are less likely to. But none the less, it’s a universal phenomenon, whether you’re living in the country or anywhere else, it is inevitable to escape this.

This condition can be described as so common that, it is estimated that most people pass gas up to 21 times per day, according to research. This nails the point hard and solid that everyone gets gas. Sometimes when gas is not released through the rectum, it can be released through the mouth in the form of burping.

Let’s briefly try to understand a little bit more about gas.

Gas is a normal process of digestion that takes place in the digestive system. It is the air that is present in the tract but when there is excess gas in the stomach or the intestines that can result in bloating and cause pain and discomfort. Gas pain may occur as the gas is trapped inside and not able to move freely through the digestive system.

The increase in excess gas and gas pain can be a result of not just eating certain foods and drinking beverages that are more likely to produce gas, but also through swallowing more air. This can be made better by simply making certain changes to eating habits and avoiding certain food. In addition to this, certain other medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome can also cause an increase in gas formation and gas pain. It is to be noted that sometimes gas is not food related and can be a symptom of a more severe underlying problem.

Common causes include the following:

• Consuming certain foods that can trigger gas in the stomach such as vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, asparagus and dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream
• Consuming carbonated and fizzy drinks or soda
• Eating and drinking too fast
• Chewing gum
• Smoking cigarette
• Sucking on hard candy
• Wearing loose fitting dentures results in swallowing more air than normal

It is unavoidable that small amounts of air get inside the mouth while eating and drinking, in addition to the above list of causes. Air which is swallowed that doesn’t leave the stomach by burping gets into the intestine and then leaves through the anus.

Although gas symptoms can vary from person to person, the most common symptoms include:

• Burping and belching during and after the meals
• Passing of gas
• Bloating or feelings of fullness in the abdomen
• Cramps and pains or discomfort in the abdomen
• Increase in the size of the abdomen

It is an uncomfortable process but not usually serious and life-threatening, but in some cases when the pain and discomfort is too much, it requires medical attention at the earliest.

One of the most effective ways of preventing gas related issues is to make dietary and lifestyle changes quit smoking and take medications, which can be over the counter medicines prescribed by the doctor.