The following article is about the topic Air in the stomach, increased flatulence and trapped air in the body. In addition to a definition, the causes, diagnosis, course, treatment and ultimately also possibilities for prevention are shown.
What is air in the stomach?
Air in the abdomen or meteorism (Greek metéōros - floating in the air) describes the excess gas development that occurs in the stomach and intestines during the digestive process.
The gases do not initially escape through the anus. Those affected often complain of a feeling of fullness, cramping pain and a bloated, hollow-sounding stomach (drum belly). In most cases, flatulence is harmless and sooner or later it is expelled through the anus by belching or in the form of increased body winds.
In the specialist literature one can find further definitions under the keyword flatulence (Latin flatus - wind flatulence). A certain amount of air in the stomach and intestines is normal, since both organs are hollow organs.
causes
Common causes of meteorism and flatulence are incorrect eating and living habits. It is well known that foods such as legumes, onions, asparagus, cabbage and dried fruit have a flatulence effect.
Excessive consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, carbonated drinks, chewing gum, foods that are too fatty or too sugary can also be the cause of a bloated stomach. Stress and hectic rush are also possible reasons for this. Since air is swallowed while eating, its proportion increases significantly through hasty and barely chewed food.
However, hormone fluctuations, food intolerance or diseases of the stomach, intestines and pancreas, as well as treatment with antibiotics can also be a cause of painful air in the abdomen. Therefore, a medical consultation is advisable if symptoms persist.
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➔ Medicines against flatulence and digestive problemsDiseases with this symptom
- Celiac disease
- Food allergy
- Lactose intolerance
- Pancreatitis
- Food intolerance
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Diagnosis & course
In order to be able to make a diagnosis, certain questions are clarified by the doctor in a detailed discussion before the physical examination. What eating habits does the patient have? What situation is he in right now? Are you taking regular medication? Is the patient moving enough? Are there any other symptoms such as repeated nausea and frequent diarrhea, vomiting or skin irritation?
If physical illness is suspected, a blood and stool examination, and a stomach and / or colonoscopy are advisable. Not only hormonal disorders can be detected via the blood test.
A specific blood test can also be used to determine if someone is gluten intolerant, known as celiac disease. Lactose intolerance, the intolerance of milk sugar, can be diagnosed with a special breath test.
Complications
Air in the abdomen has various causes, some of which are diet-related and do not cause any further complications other than abdominal pain and gas. On the other hand, there may be some diseases behind it, which can be harmless or dangerous. Lactose intolerants usually do not have any further complications except that they should no longer consume dairy products.
This can lead to a lack of calcium, which is important for building bones. This can result in osteoporosis. If those affected are also vegetarians, they are denied an important source of protein. The situation is similar with fructose intolerants. Even small amounts of fructose can cause severe abdominal pain and, in the worst cases, affect the liver and kidneys.
In addition, the low-fructose diet means that those affected do not have many vitamins, so that corresponding deficiency symptoms must be expected. Irritable bowel syndrome is actually not dangerous and does not necessarily have to cause complications. Life expectancy is not even restricted.
Nevertheless, the constant problems with the intestine can trigger discomfort and fears and thus affect the psyche. It depends on how often and how severely the symptoms occur. Patients can isolate themselves from the environment and avoid many foods and foods that are actually not dangerous for the person concerned.
When should you go to the doctor?
Air in the abdomen is uncomfortable and manifests itself, among other things, by abdominal pain and gas. Some home remedies and measures will quickly and effectively relieve the bloating feeling. Most of the time it is enough to adjust your eating habits. Anyone who regularly suffers from air in their stomach should eat at least four to five small meals a day and drink at least half a liter with each meal. Food should be chewed well to relieve the stomach. In addition, it is important to remove flatulent foods as well as raw vegetables and fatty meat from the menu.
Carbonated drinks and luxury foods such as alcohol or caffeine should also be avoided. Exercise drives air out of the stomach: A short walk after every meal stimulates the digestive processes and facilitates the removal of gases. Relaxation exercises such as autogenic training, yoga or physiotherapy can also help with air in the stomach.
In addition, home remedies such as herbal teas with chamomile, aniseed, caraway or fennel are recommended. Warmth, for example in the form of a cherry stone pillow or a hot water bottle, has an antispasmodic and exfoliating effect. If all else fails, however, a doctor should be called in, as there may be a serious underlying condition.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
Home remedies ↵ for flatulence Often enough, just checking and changing your lifestyle and eating habits is enough as a successful treatment. Movement like a long walk helps against air that is already trapped in the body. Home remedies such as anise, fennel, peppermint, or cumin in tea form can help.
A massage with peppermint and black seed oil is also beneficial. However, if there is a food intolerance or a food allergy, it is important to avoid foods with the incompatible ingredients. If the symptoms were caused by stress, it is advisable to reconsider your own life situation. In the case of organic causes, a diet is often essential. If you have liver or gallbladder inflammation, you should pay attention to a low-fat, light diet.
In the case of organic causes, it is also advisable to avoid alcohol and cigarettes, caffeine and spicy dishes. In the case of chronic pancreatitis, a low-fiber diet is necessary. By avoiding certain foods, food intolerances and allergies must also be treated. A patient with celiac disease must adhere to a gluten-free diet for life.
Equivalent to this, the patient with the diagnosed lactose intolerance can avoid painful flatulence by avoiding foods that contain a lot of lactose. A fructose intolerance, which sometimes manifests itself in severe abdominal pain, can be easily treated by avoiding foods that contain fructose.
Outlook & forecast
In most cases, the air in the abdomen does not pose a health risk and does not necessarily have to be treated by a doctor. The air in the abdomen is usually caused by an improper diet and in many cases the patient can correct it himself. It only leads to further complications in a few cases and does not pose a threat to the human body.
Affected people always feel full and bloated when there is air in their stomach. This can be relatively uncomfortable in the long run. The behavior is also expressed in a bloated stomach, which is mainly filled with air and other gases. In some cases, the air in the abdomen also causes cramps, abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea. It can make life very difficult and reduce the quality of life.
Since the air in the abdomen is usually associated with an incorrect diet, treatment by a doctor is often not necessary. However, there are agents that defoam the stomach and thereby greatly reduce the air in the stomach. They shouldn't be taken permanently.
In some cases, the air in the abdomen is created by the body's intolerance to an ingredient. This should be discontinued or only taken with allergy tablets. This treatment usually leads to success.
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➔ Medicines against flatulence and digestive problemsprevention
It is said that the eye eats too, because careful preparation and a deliciously prepared meal stimulates gastric juice formation. Another preventive measure can also be found in the thorough chewing of the food.
As a result, a feeling of satiety is perceived in good time and overeating is avoided. This already eases the digestive mechanisms for the body. A healthy, varied and balanced diet with lots of fruit, vegetables and little sugar and fat keeps the stomach and intestines healthy. Instead of carbonated drinks, teas, spritzers or still water should be preferred.
A sufficient amount of drinking also relieves the digestive tract. Avoiding chewing gum, flatulent foods and cigarettes as well as moderate use of alcohol also often reduce the amount of gases in the body. Regular exercise and light gymnastics as well as relaxation exercises and special breathing techniques also prevent flatulence. And one more thing: On average, up to 25 winds per day are harmless and are considered normal.
You can do that yourself
Various home remedies can help relieve air in the stomach. To help yourself, it is advisable to first rethink your own diet. Those affected should initially avoid flatulent foods and carbonated drinks and incorporate enough fiber-rich foods into their diet. Ginger, garlic, coriander, cinnamon and cloves in particular, but also pumpkins, are a good alternative to sugar and fried foods because of their puffing effects.
Exercise in the fresh air is even more effective. Even a short walk stimulates digestion and expels the air from the stomach. Yoga, autogenic training and other relaxation exercises also work against air in the stomach. A massage with warm oils also quickly removes excess air from the abdomen. Acute heat helps against flatulence.
A hot water bottle or a cherry stone sachet soothes the intestines and reduces pressure and pain in the abdomen. Herbal, caraway or fennel tea also helps against minor ailments, which in addition to its relaxing effect also increases well-being. If, despite everything, the air remains in your stomach and is possibly accompanied by malaise and other complaints, a visit to your family doctor is recommended.
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