How To Get Rid Of Gas, Pains, And Bloating - Healthline

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10 Ways to Get Rid of Gas Pains and Bloating

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — Written by Corey Whelan and Alina Sharon — Updated on February 1, 2024

Tips
Causes
Prevention
FAQ
Takeaway

Abdominal gas is quite typical. Often, certain home remedies and supplements can help you release it from your stomach. But if you’re still experiencing discomfort, you may want to see a doctor.

The average adult passes gas between 13 and 21 times a day. Gas is a healthy part of the digestion process. But if gas builds up in your intestines and you’re unable to expel it, you may start to feel pain and discomfort.

Gas pain, bloating, and flatus frequency can be exacerbated by anything that causes diarrhea or constipation. Gas can also be caused by:

overeating
swallowing air while you eat or drink
gum chewing
smoking cigarettes
eating certain foods

Make an appointment with your doctor if your gas symptoms:

cause you distress
change suddenly
are accompanied by constipation, diarrhea, or weight loss

Your doctor can determine the underlying cause.

10 tips to get rid of gas and accompanying symptoms

If changing your diet doesn’t completely do the trick, you have several options.

1. Peppermint

Research has shown that peppermint tea or peppermint supplements can help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including gas.

Talk with your doctor before you start using supplements. Peppermint can interfere with iron absorption and certain medications. It may also cause heartburn in some people.

Supplement labels will have directions about how much you should take. For peppermint tea, drink one cup before each meal for the best results.

2. Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea can also help reduce indigestion, trapped gas, and bloating. Drinking chamomile tea before meals and bedtime may reduce symptoms for some people.

3. Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is another type of over-the-counter medication that helps eliminate gas trapped in your colon. You take tablets right before and one hour after meals.

4. Apple cider vinegar

Drinking apple cider vinegar may help fight against bacteria that can cause abdominal gas accumulation and discomfort. Dilute a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a beverage, like water or tea. Drink right before meals or up to three times daily as long as needed to reduce symptoms.

5. Physical activity

Exercise can help release trapped gas and gas pain. Try walking after meals as a way to avoid gas. If you have gas pain, jumping rope, running, or walking may help you expel it.

6. Lactase supplements

Lactose is a sugar in milk. People with lactose intolerance can’t digest this sugar. Lactase is the enzyme the body uses to break down lactose. Lactase supplements are available over the counter and can help your body digest lactose.

7. Cloves

Cloves are an herb used in cooking. Clove oil may help reduce bloating and gas by producing digestive enzymes. Add two to five drops to an 8-ounce glass of water and drink after meals.

8. Over-the-counter medications

Simethicone (Gas-X. Mylanta Gas, Phazyme) is an over-the-counter medication that consolidates gas bubbles in your stomach, allowing you to expel them more easily.

Follow dosing instructions, and make sure to discuss this medication with your doctor if you’re taking other medications or pregnant.

Another option is Beano, which is an OTC digestive aid containing an enzyme that breaks down sugars in beans and certain vegetables, which can help reduce abdominal gas. It comes as a liquid or a pill. People with galactosemia should ask their doctor before using it.

9. Prescription medications

Depending on the cause of your abdominal gas, there are many medications that your doctor may prescribe.

This includes medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

10. Diet

If an underlying medical condition doesn’t cause your gas, it may be caused by what you eat.

Food is digested primarily in your small intestine. What is left undigested is fermented in your colon with bacteria, fungi, and yeast as part of digestion. This process produces methane and hydrogen, which are expelled as flatus.

For many people, changing dietary habits alleviates gas and its accompanying symptoms. One way to determine which foods are giving you gas is by keeping a food diary.

Common culprits include high fat or high fiber food, carbonated beverages, and beans and lentils.

Here are 10 foods that can cause gas. Once you figure out what food is causing the gas, you can modify your diet to avoid the culprit.

Conditions that cause gas, pains, and bloating

Some conditions can cause excess gas. They include:

gastroenteritis
lactose intolerance
celiac disease
Crohn’s disease
diabetes
peptic ulcer
irritable bowel syndrome

Preventing gas

If no medical condition is causing the problem, preventing gas may best be accomplished by altering lifestyle habits and diet:

Sit down during each meal and eat slowly.
Try not to take in too much air while you eat and talk.
Stop chewing gum.
Avoid soda and other carbonated beverages.
Avoid smoking.
Find ways to work exercise into your routine, such as walking after a meal.
Eliminate foods known to cause gas.
Avoid drinking through straws.

Frequently asked questions

Can stomach gas go away on its own?

Yes, stomach gas can go away independently as the body naturally expels it through burping or flatulence.

How do you get rid of gas quickly?

You can try walking or gentle exercise, over-the-counter gas relief medications, or drinking warm liquids like herbal tea to help relieve gas quickly.

How long can trapped gas last?

Trapped gas can last a few minutes to hours, depending on the individual and the underlying cause.

What does trapped gas feel like?

Trapped gas symptoms include bloating, abdominal discomfort or pain, belching, and flatulence.

Sometimes, trapped gas can also cause a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. It can affect the left, right, upper, or lower part of your abdomen.

The bottom line

Gas can be painful, but it typically isn’t dangerous. If gas pain or bloating are issues for you, look to your diet and lifestyle to see what changes you can make. In many cases, lifestyle and diet modification may be able to eliminate the issue.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you don’t notice a difference after several weeks of lifestyle and diet changes. They can run tests to see if a medical condition causes your symptoms.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Baijal R, et al. (2021). Effect of lactase on symptoms and hydrogen breath levels in lactose intolerance: A crossover placebo‐controlled study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7812489/
El-Saber Batiha G, et al. (2020). Syzygium aromaticum l. (myrtaceae): traditional uses, bioactive chemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicological activities.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32019140/
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Yagnik D, et al. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — Written by Corey Whelan and Alina Sharon — Updated on February 1, 2024

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