How to Get Rid of Gas

Passing gas is a normal bodily function. However, sometimes our bodies produce excess gas, putting us in an uncomfortable situation. Producing excess gas is caused by a variety of reasons. Fortunately, you can easily get rid of gas by using home remedies, changing your lifestyle or trying over-the-counter products.

Symptoms of Gas and Gas Pains

Symptoms of gas and gas pains are obvious. These symptoms include:

Sharp abdominal cramps, which may occur anywhere in your abdomen and can get better quickly and change locations quickly
Passing gas, either as flatus or as belches
A knotty feeling in your abdomen
Swelling in your abdomen
Chest pain

Sometimes, gas pains may be so intense and constant that you may think something is seriously wrong. Gas pains can sometimes be mistaken for gallstones, heart disease and appendicitis.

Causes of Gas and Gas Pains

When carbohydrates are not digested in your small intestine, bacteria in your colon ferment these carbohydrates, causing gas to form. Unfortunately, these carbs are often high-fiber foods. Even though high-fiber foods have many health benefits, such as regulating cholesterol and blood sugar levels and keeping your digestive tract healthy, they can also cause gas formation.

Beans and peas, vegetables, fruits and whole grains are some of the high-fiber foods cause gas and gas pains. Fiber supplements that contain psyllium may cause gas, especially if you add these supplements to your diet very quickly.

Carbonated beverages, such as beer and soda, also cause gas and gas pains.

Other causes of gas and gas pains include:

Food intolerances. If you suffer from gas and bloating after eating dairy products, it may be because your body can’t break down lactose in dairy foods. Gluten intolerance can also cause excess gas and diarrhea.

Swallowed air. Whenever you eat or drink, you swallow air. You may also swallow air when you eat too fast or you are nervous. Some of that air goes down and builds up in your lower digestive tract.

Constipation. Normally, you should be able to pass gas easily. Constipation makes it difficult to pass gas, leading to gas pains and bloating.

Other health conditions. Excess gas may be caused by a more serious condition, such as ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease.

Home Remedies for Gas

1. Fennel

Fennel is one of the best ingredients for fast relief from gas and bloating (1). It is very effective and it starts working quickly.

Put a few fennel seeds in a cup of boiled, hot water. Let it steep for 5 minutes. Strain and then drink it slowly.
You can also slowly chew a small amount of fennel seeds.
Chew it or drink it, you will get rid of gas and bloating in 20 minutes.

Please note that fennel is not recommended for pregnant women.

2. Ginger Tea

Ginger is used for many digestive conditions such as stomach flu and indigestion. The compounds in ginger – gingerols and shogaols – are anti-inflammatory agents and help relax your digestive tract. Ginger not only helps you relieve gas pain, but also prevents excess gas formation.

Take a raw ginger root and peel it. Slice 7-8 thin pieces and put them in a mug.
Boil one cup of water and pour the water over the ginger slices.
Cover the mug and steep for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey.
Mix it well and drink the tea.

3. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is great for your stomach and helps relieve gas pains (2, 3, 4). It contains menthol, which is an antispasmodic agent that can help soothe the muscles of your digestive tract. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea can help you get rid of excess gas.

Boil one cup of water, put a bag of peppermint tea in a mug and pour the boiled water over the bag.
Cover the mug, and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
Then remove the bag and drink the tea.

You can safely apply this remedy once a day.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits and it is great for digestion (5). You can get relief from gas pains and indigestion by consuming apple cider vinegar.

Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water.
Drink it slowly.
Repeat this remedy twice a day, before meals.

5. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile has relaxing, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory properties and it works very well to get rid of gas pain (6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

Put a bag of chamomile tea in a mug and pour a cup of boiled, hot water over the bag.
Cover the mug, and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
Then remove the bag and drink the tea.

6. Lemon Juice and Baking Soda

You can easily make an effective gas remedy by mixing lemon juice and baking soda. Together they form carbon dioxide – a natural digestive aid. You can find instant relief with this amazing remedy.

Add one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to a half filled glass of water.
Then add a teaspoon of baking soda.
After the bubbling has gone, fill the rest of the glass with water.
Mix it well, and drink slowly.

7. Black Pepper

Black pepper has amazing healing properties and it is one of the best home remedies for gas and bloating (11). It stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid in your stomach, and therefore helps relieve gas caused by indigestion.

Take equal amounts of black pepper, coriander seeds, ginger powder and dried mint leaves. Grind them together to make a mixture.
Consume one teaspoon twice a day.

8. Activated Charcoal

If you are suffering from severe gas pains and your gas is smelly, then activated charcoal tablets can be helpful. Activated charcoal absorbs excess gas trapped in the digestive tract. It also absorbs the toxins that cause the bad smell.

It is best to take activated charcoal before meals. This way, you can avoid this problem before it starts.

9. Warm Lemon Water

Drinking a glass of warm lemon water every morning helps you avoid gas and bloating. The acidity in lemon aids in digestion. The water cleanses the digestive tract and help it work more efficiently. Efficient digestion results in less gas and bloating.

Squeeze the juice of one lemon in a glass. Fill the rest of the glass with warm water, and drink it.
Apply this remedy every morning before breakfast.

10. Heating Pad

Putting a heating pad on your stomach will relax your muscles and help you pass gas.

When using a heating pad, make sure that you protect your skin from burning. You can use a layer of clothing.
Taking a warm bath can also relieve gas pains.

11. Water

Water helps your digestive system function properly. If you have a gas problem, drink more water than usual. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day prevents gas, bloating, indigestion and constipation. Drink enough water throughout the day, and also try drinking during meals.

Other Ways to Get Rid of Gas

Walk

Physical action helps you in passing of flatulence and also prevents bloating. If you are experiencing gas problems after your dinner, walking for 15-20 minutes will help you get rid of gas quickly.

Adjust Your Diet

In order to reduce the amount of gas your body produces, try to adjust your diet.

Avoid the foods that can cause gas problems. These foods include beans, broccoli, onions, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, cauliflower, cabbage, artichokes, peaches, pears, prunes, apples, whole-wheat bread, milk, cream, ice cream, and sodas, beer and other carbonated beverages.
Temporarily avoid high-fiber foods. High-fiber foods cause excess gas. Avoiding them can help you get rid of gas. However, you should add high-fiber foods back to your diet gradually.
Reduce your intake of dairy products. Try consuming low-lactose dairy foods, such as yogurt, instead of milk.
Avoid fried and fatty foods. Gas and bloating often caused by eating fatty foods.

Pass Gas

This is the most obvious method to get rid of gas. You shouldn’t neglect to pass gas, especially if you are suffering from severe gas pains. This may be hard to do, because many cultures regard passing gas as bad manners, so go to the bathroom or be discreet about it.

Try OTC Products

Some OTC products can help you pass gas, but they are not always effective. These products include Beano (alpha-galactosidase enzyme), Lactase supplements (Dairy-Ease, Lactaid) and OTCs that contain Simethicone.

Change Your Lifestyle

Changing your lifestyle may help relieve gas and gas pain.

Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly
Eat smaller portions
Exercise daily
Don’t smoke
Check your dentures
Reduce stress

When to See Your Doctor

It’s normal to pass gas 10-20 times a day. However, this amount may vary from day to day. See your doctor if your gas is accompanied by:

Bloody stools
Prolonged abdominal cramps
A change in stool frequency or color
Chest pain
Weight loss
Recurrent or persistent vomiting or nausea

Also see your doctor if your gas and gas pains are so severe and persistent that you can’t live a normal life. In most cases, treatment can help you get rid of gas pains and alleviate the problem.