Health Library Gas, Bloating, and BurpingFrom Healthwise

Gas (flatus), burping, and bloating are all normal conditions. Gas is made in the stomach and intestines as your body breaks down food into energy. Gas and burping may sometimes be embarrassing. Bloating, which is a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, can make you uncomfortable. Although many people think that they pass gas too often or have too much gas, it is rare to have too much gas. Changing what you eat and drink can sometimes cut down on gas and relieve discomfort caused by gas.

Belching or burping (eructation) is the voluntary or involuntary, sometimes noisy release of air from the stomach or esophagus through the mouth. Burping 3 to 4 times after eating a meal is normal and is usually caused by swallowing air. Other causes of burping include nervous habits or other medical conditions, such as an ulcer or a gallbladder problem. In some cultures, a person may belch loudly after eating to show appreciation for the meal.

All people pass gas, but some people produce more gas than others. It is normal to pass gas from 6 to 20 times a day. Although this may embarrass or annoy you, excess intestinal gas usually is not caused by a serious health condition.

Common causes of gas and bloating include:

• Swallowed air. If swallowed air is not burped up, it passes through the digestive tract and is released through the anus as flatus. Excessive air swallowing may cause hiccups.
• Foods and beverages. The amount of gas that different foods cause varies from person to person.
• Constipation. This can cause bloating but generally does not increase gas. For more information, see the topics Constipation, Age 11 and Younger or Constipation, Age 12 and Older.
• Medicines or nutritional supplements. Both prescription and nonprescription medicines, as well as dietary supplements, can cause bloating and gas as side effects.
• A medical condition, such as a bowel obstruction or Crohn's disease.
• Changes in hormone levels. It is common for women to have bloating right before their periods because their bodies retain fluid.

Dyspepsia is a medical term that is used to describe a vague feeling of fullness, gnawing, or burning in the chest or upper abdomen, especially after eating. A person may describe this feeling as "gas." Other symptoms may occur at the same time, such as belching, rumbling noises in the abdomen, increased flatus, poor appetite, and a change in bowel habits. Causes of dyspepsia can vary from minor to serious.

Occasionally, a person may dismiss serious symptoms, such as symptoms of a heart attack, as "just gas or indigestion."

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a doctor.

• Gas or indigestion that occurs with crushing or squeezing chest pain, feels like a heavy weight on the chest, or is occurring with any of the following symptoms of a heart attack:
  • Sweating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain that spreads from the chest to the back, neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or one or both shoulders or arms. See a picture of chest pain.
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • A fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Do you have any of the following symptoms? If you do, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• Abdominal pain or cramping: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older or Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger.
• Vomiting: Go to the topic Nausea and Vomiting, Age 4 and Older or Vomiting, Age 3 and Younger.
• Diarrhea: Go to the topic Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older or Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger.
• Constipation: Go to the topic Constipation, Age 12 or Older or Constipation, Age 11 and Younger.
• Black or bloody stool: Go to the topic Rectal Problems.
• Your baby seems to be having trouble with abdominal gas: Go to the topic: Crying, Age 3 and Younger.

	Yes	Do you have burping and difficulty swallowing?
When to See a Doctor See significance of burping and difficulty swallowing if you need information to help you answer the questions below. Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms. Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Is it so hard for you to swallow that you are not able to eat normally? You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Are you having problems swallowing, but you are still able to eat normally? If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
	Yes	Do you think a medicine or supplement is causing your symptoms?
When to See a Doctor See significance of a medicine or supplement causing symptoms if you need information to help you answer the question below. Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms. Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Do you think a medicine or supplement may be causing your symptoms? If your answer is Yes: Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine the same day to determine whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed. If you are taking a medicine or supplement that was not prescribed by a doctor, stop taking it. Call your doctor if you feel that you need to continue taking the medicine or need help controlling your symptoms. If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
	Yes	Do you have burping with abdominal fullness or indigestion?
When to See a Doctor See significance of burping with abdominal fullness or indigestion if you need information to help you answer the questions below. Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms. You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Have you had recurring burping with abdominal fullness or indigestion during or after meals that has not gotten better with 1 week of home treatment? You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Have you had burping with abdominal fullness or indigestion for 1 week or longer that does not appear to be related to eating meals or chewing gum? If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
	Yes	Do you have abdominal fullness or bloating?
When to See a Doctor See significance of abdominal fullness or bloating if you need information to help you answer the questions below. Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms. You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Do you have abdominal fullness or bloating after 48 hours of home treatment? You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Have you had abdominal fullness or bloating off and on for 2 weeks or longer? If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
	Yes	Do you have a problem with hiccups?
When to See a Doctor See significance of hiccups if you need information to help you answer the questions below. Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms. You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Have you had hiccups for longer than 24 hours? You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Do hiccups frequently interfere with your usual activities? If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
	Yes	Do you have gas, burping, or bloating that begins after eating or drinking?
When to See a Doctor See significance of gas, burping, or bloating that begins after eating or drinking if you need information to help you answer the questions below. Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms. You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Do you still have gas, bloating, or burping 72 hours after removing foods or drinks from your food plan that you think are causing your symptoms? You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question. Yes Are you concerned about your ability to have a healthy food plan if you remove the foods or drinks that you think are causing your problems? If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
	Yes	Have you had gas, burping, or bloating and a poor appetite or unexplained weight loss?
When to See a Doctor See significance of a poor appetite or unexplained weight loss if you need information to help you answer the questions below. Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms. You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions. Yes Have you had gas, burping, or bloating and a poor appetite for 2 weeks or longer? Yes Have you had an unexplained weight loss of 5 lb (2 kg) to 10 lb (4.5 kg) during the past 3 months? If you have answered "No" to the above questions, continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Heartburn: Go to the topic Heartburn.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Gas, bloating, and burping

Gas, bloating, and burping are usually harmless and go away without any treatment. If gas, bloating, or burping is making you uncomfortable, take the following steps to help manage your symptoms:

• Increase the amount of fluid you drink, especially water. Avoid carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid foods that cause gas, such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, and bran. The amount of gas that different foods cause varies from person to person.
• Avoid swallowing air. Swallowing air may increase your symptoms.
  • Eat slowly. Avoid gulping food or beverages. When you rush through meals or eat on the run, you are more likely to swallow air.
  • Chew your food thoroughly before you swallow.
  • Avoid drinking through a straw.
  • Avoid chewing gum or eating hard candy.
  • Do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
  • If you wear dentures, check with a dentist to make sure they fit properly.
  • Keep calm. Tension and anxiety can cause you to swallow air.
• Take a medicine that you can buy without a prescription. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
  • Activated charcoal tablets, such as CharcoCaps, may decrease odor from gas. Charcoal is usually taken after meals or at the first sign of gas discomfort.
  • Antacids, such as Di-Gel, Maalox Anti-Gas, and Mylanta Gas, allow gas to be belched away more easily. However, these medicines often have no effect on gas that is already in the intestines.
  • Food enzymes, such as Beano, which help break down the sugars found in vegetables and grains, can be added to foods that cause you to have gas.

Hiccups

Hiccups are usually harmless and go away without any treatment. But if hiccups are making you uncomfortable, the following safe and easy home remedies may help you manage your symptoms.

• Swallow a teaspoon of dry granulated sugar. Do not use this remedy if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.
• Hold your breath and counting slowly to 10.
• Breathe repeatedly into a paper bag for a limited period of time.
• Quickly drink a glass of cold water.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate the symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• New symptoms develop, such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, or vomiting.
• Hiccups last longer than 24 hours.
• Hiccups return frequently.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Gas, bloating, and burping

You may be able to prevent gas, burping, and bloating.

• Take steps to avoid swallowing air:
  • Eat slowly. Avoid gulping food or beverages. When you rush through meals or eat on the run, you are more likely to swallow air.
  • Chew your food thoroughly before you swallow.
  • Avoid drinking through a straw.
  • Avoid chewing gum or eating hard candy.
  • Do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
  • If you wear dentures, check with a dentist to make sure they fit properly.
  • Keep calm. Tension and anxiety can cause you to swallow air.
• Keep a food diary if you suspect that gas is caused by certain foods. Write down what you eat or drink and when symptoms occur to help you identify foods or drinks that may cause gas. Once these problem foods are identified, avoid or limit them to reduce or prevent symptoms.
  • Talk with your health professional or a dietitian about ways to maintain a balanced diet if you want to permanently eliminate certain foods or drinks. For more information, see the topic Healthy Eating.
  • If you suspect milk or other dairy products are causing your symptoms, try limiting or eliminating these foods. For more information, see the topic Lactose Intolerance.
  • If you cook with dry beans, soak them in water overnight, then pour off the water and cook the soaked beans in fresh water. This may reduce the amount of natural sugars in the beans after the cooling process and help prevent gas and bloating.
• Do not overeat. Large meals can make you feel bloated. Try eating 6 small meals a day rather than 3 large ones.
• Avoid constipation, which is a common cause of bloating. For more information, see the topic Constipation, Age 12 and Older or Constipation, Age 11 and Younger.
• Avoid laxatives.
• Use an antigas product that you can buy without a prescription.
  • Food enzymes, such as Beano, which help break down the sugars found in vegetables and grains, can be added to foods that cause you to have gas.
  • If you have lactose intolerance, lactase enzyme supplements, such as Dairy Ease and LactAid, can be taken with dairy products to help break down lactose in food.
  • Peppermint and other herbs (carminatives) that soothe the digestive tract may permit belching and decrease bloating after large meals.
• Exercise regularly.

Hiccups

You may be able to prevent the hiccups by avoiding things that trigger them.

• Take steps to avoid swallowing air:
  • Eat slowly. Avoid gulping food or beverages. When you rush through meals or eat on the run, you are more likely to swallow air.
  • Chew your food thoroughly before you swallow.
  • Avoid drinking through a straw.
  • Avoid chewing gum or eating hard candy.
  • Do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
  • If you wear dentures, check with a dentist to make sure they fit properly.
  • Keep calm. Tension and anxiety can cause you to swallow air.
• Do not eat large meals.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not smoke.
• Avoid sudden changes in stomach temperature, such as drinking a hot beverage and then a cold beverage.
• Avoid emotional stress or excitement.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

You can help your health professional diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What is your main symptom? How long have you had this symptom?
• How long do symptoms last when they occur?
• What do you think is causing your symptoms?
• Have you tried any home treatment? If so, what measures have you tried? Have they helped?
• Have you been treated for this problem in the past? What was the treatment? Did it help?
• Do you think your symptoms are caused by what or how you eat?
  • Do symptoms seem to begin after you have certain foods or drinks? If so, which ones?
  • Do you chew gum, eat rapidly, drink carbonated beverages, or drink through a straw?
• Do you wear dentures? Do they fit properly?
• Do you smoke or use other tobacco products?
• Do you drink alcohol? If so, how much?
• Do any other symptoms occur along with burping, gas, or bloating, such as a change in your bowel habits, heartburn, vomiting, or abdominal pain?
• Have you had any recent illness or changes in your health?
• Have you lost or gained more than a few pounds in the past month?
• Did you drink lake or stream water or untreated well water?
• Have you recently visited a foreign country or taken a ship cruise?
• Does anyone in your family have celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or intolerance to lactose or other food products?
• Have you had a mental health problem, such as depression or an anxiety disorder?
• Do you have any health risks?

• Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger
• Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older
• Celiac Disease
• Chest Pain
• Colic
• Constipation, Age 11 and Younger
• Constipation, Age 12 and Older
• Crying, Age 3 and Younger
• Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger
• Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older
• Diverticulitis
• Gallstones
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Giardiasis
• Healthy Eating
• Heartburn
• Hiatal Hernia
• Lactose Intolerance
• Nausea and Vomiting, Age 4 and Older
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Rectal Problems
• Vomiting, Age 3 and Younger

Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 6, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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