I always feel like there is gas in my stomach. What's going on?

After dinner

Some people experience "flatulence"

It's uncomfortable to sit and it's uncomfortable to stand up

The gas in my stomach

Can't sort it out

Some people may attribute abdominal bloating to eating too fast, talking while eating, etc., but when the bloating is accompanied by pain, it may indicate a disease and should be taken seriously.

Today we will study:

Why does bloating occur?

In what situations should we be alert to "flatulence"?

How to avoid bloating?

Stomach bloating

Abdominal bloating also has different locations. Bloating can occur in the stomach and intestines. Stomach bloating is related to eating, while intestinal bloating is related to digestion.

1. Stomach bloating

In the upper part of the stomach, we usually swallow a lot of gas when we eat, especially: eating too fast, drinking water too fast, drinking carbonated beverages, swallowing back and forth... Gas accumulates in the stomach and is discharged in the form of "burps", which is "belching".

It is normal to have belching occasionally, but if you have symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, bloating and pain, it is recommended to see a gastroenterologist .

2. Intestinal flatulence

Probably in the lower abdomen, you will feel like there is something moving around in your stomach, and sometimes you will have stomach pain.

This is because the food you eat is not fully digested, and the intestinal flora will grab these "large pieces of food residues", decompose them and produce a lot of gas. If you eat too fast, the food is not fully chewed, and the residue is too large, which will produce more gas.

Disease signs

The duration of abdominal bloating caused by lifestyle habits varies from person to person, ranging from a dozen minutes to several hours, but most of the time it is short and will be relieved after defecation or gas discharge.

If abdominal distension persists for a long time, affects daily life, and is even accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc., you should be alert to whether you have digestive system-related diseases.

Diseases that cause abdominal bloating include: irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, inflammation of abdominal organs, gastrointestinal ulcers, etc.

▲ If abdominal distension is accompanied by abdominal pain, and the color and hardness of the stool are abnormal or the frequency of bowel movements decreases at least once a week in the past three months, you may have irritable bowel syndrome ;

▲ If severe abdominal distension occurs suddenly, accompanied by abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, it may indicate inflammation of organs such as pancreatitis or appendicitis ;

▲ If accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, chronic diarrhea and (right) upper abdominal pain, it may be a liver or gallbladder problem ;

▲ Abdominal distension accompanied by pain around the umbilicus may be a problem with the small intestine ;

▲ Sudden severe pain in the left lower abdomen may be caused by diverticulitis or intestinal obstruction ;

▲ Abdominal distension accompanied by dull pain or burning pain when fasting or after eating, with a certain regularity, may be a gastrointestinal ulcer ;

▲ Abdominal bloating after eating certain foods may be due to food allergy or indigestion .

How to avoid bloating

1. Eat less gas-producing foods

Gas-producing foods are processed and fermented by the bacteria in the intestines, thus producing gas. The more you eat, the more gas is produced and accumulated. If you are healthy, the gas will be discharged normally through burping and farting; but if you feel uncomfortable at this time, it will cause flatulence. The following are gas-producing foods that are likely to cause gastrointestinal flatulence:

▲ Gas-producing foods high in sugar

Such foods as radish, potato, sweet potato, taro, pumpkin, chestnut, etc., these foods are rich in carbohydrates (starch, cellulose, etc.). After being fully fermented by intestinal bacteria, they will produce a large amount of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. If they cannot be discharged for a while and accumulate in the intestines, they will cause gastrointestinal bloating.

▲ Soy products

Such as soybeans, soybeans, tofu, soy milk, tofu brain, etc. Soy products contain a variety of anti-nutritional factors, two of which are related to the gastrointestinal tract.

One is trypsin inhibitor , which is a substance that can inhibit the activity of proteases in the body. If it is consumed too much, it will affect the digestion of protein and irritate the gastrointestinal tract. In severe cases, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting will occur. The other is gastrointestinal flatulence factor , which can cause gastrointestinal flatulence, diarrhea, and indigestion.

2. Exercise appropriately

Physical activity will stimulate the muscles of the digestive tract and accelerate gas discharge. Appropriate participation in exercises that promote intestinal peristalsis , such as swimming, long-term yoga, etc., can effectively increase intestinal blood circulation, thereby enhancing intestinal peristalsis and relieving intestinal gas symptoms.

3. Maintain a good mood

Human emotions are closely related to gastrointestinal function. Improving negative emotions and ensuring adequate sleep can help alleviate gastrointestinal functional disorders.

4. Timely examination and treatment

If abdominal distension persists for a long time and has affected your normal life, you should seek medical attention and receive appropriate treatment in time.