Six common reasons you have too much gas

Although it is perfectly normal to feel and pass gas, there are times when it seems excessive to the point of making you uncomfortable. 

Gas comes from your digestive tract. Bacteria that help in digestion produce gas as a byproduct and it has to be released from the body. This can be done through burping or farting. It can be odourless or contain sulfur making it have a rotten egg smell.

According to Healthline, most people pass gas about 10 times a day. Any more than that or gas that is passed more frequently could be a sign that you have excessive gas in your digestive tract. 

Below are sources of excessive gas.

1. You’re ingesting too much gas

This can happen as you eat, if you take part in habits such as chewing gum or you breath through your mouth when you sleep. Other ways that you could be introducing excessive air into your gut are through carbonated drinks, eating too fast and even smoking.

To help reduce the amount of air you’re swallowing, reduce how often you chew gum, opt for uncarbonated drinks, eat a little slower, and rectify your sleeping. 

2. High fibre foods

Foods that are high in fibre such as whole grains, cruciferous foods like cabbage, brussel sprouts and broccoli are essentially very good for your health. Apart from being a source of necessary nutrients, they also help in digestion. 

However, when you eat large amounts of high fibre foods, you can get too much gas. To counter this, eat moderate portions of high fibre foods and drink plenty of water which also aids in digestion.

3. Large food portions

Just like eating too much food that is high in fibre can lead to excessive gas, so can eating large amounts of fatty meals in one sitting. These large portions will take a loner time to be digested leading to feeling gassy and bloated. 

Instead of binge eating, eat smaller portions more frequently, giving your body enough time to digest the food properly.

4. Food allergies

As you get older, you might notice that your body starts rejecting certain foods such as dairy and certain carbohydrates. Eating them can leave you feeling gassy, bloated and crampy. 

If you notice any of these symptoms, pay keen attention to what you eat and how you react. A food diary can help you keep track of this. Mention your findings to your doctor who will be able to recommend good alternatives.

5. Lack of exercise

According to Self, failing to exercise after a meal can be detrimental to your digestive tract and lead to excessive gas. To help your body digest food better, go for a walk after your meals or do some post-meal stretches. 

6. Gastrointestinal complications

Gas can be a sign of certain complications in your digestive tract. Conditions such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), celiac disease, can result in excessive gas. If you don’t eat too many high fibre foods, you don’t ingest too much air, you exercise after meals and you don’t have food allergies, consult your doctor in case you have a gastrointestinal complication.