Trapped wind: What causes it and how to get relief
Trapped wind is a common digestive issue that can be uncomfortable, painful and sometimes, well, a bit embarrassing.
We’re here to help you understand its causes, symptoms, and ways to find relief so you can manage it when it happens.
What causes trapped wind?
Trapped wind is usually the result of a lot of gas building up in the stomach or bowel.
There can be several reasons contributing to excessive gas, including:
- Swallowing air: Eating or drinking too quickly, chewing gum, or consuming fizzy drinks can cause you to swallow air.
- Dietary choices: Certain foods, such as beans, lentils, and high-fibre foods including certain vegetables, are known to produce more gas during digestion.
- Digestive disorders: Conditions such as constipation, a food intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and coeliac disease can lead to excessive gas production and trapped wind.
- Inactivity: Regular exercise can improve digestion. A lack of physical activity can slow down the digestive system.
- Meals matter: Irregular meal times and skipping meals can lead to digestive problems as can eating large meals to close to bedtime.
What is trapped wind?
Trapped wind, also known as bloating, is the sensation of having excess gas in the gut that is difficult to get rid of.
It can cause discomfort, pain, and make you feel full.
It can make your stomach feel bigger than normal and it can cause you to pass wind or burp more than you usually do.
Trapped wind is not usually serious but can be quite bothersome.
What does trapped wind feel like?
Trapped wind can manifest in various ways, some of which can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful.
Common symptoms include:
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- A feeling of fullness in the stomach
- Rumbling noises: Known as ‘borborygmi’, the bowel makes rumbling or grumbling noises when contents are moving back and forth during digestion
- Flatulence
- Burping
How to get relief
Relieving trapped wind involves a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and sometimes over-the-counter remedies.
Here are some effective strategies:
- Eat slowly: Take your time when eating and drinking to reduce the amount of air swallowed and chew your food well.
- Reduce trigger foods: Identify and limit foods that are known to cause excessive gas, such as beans, lentils, and carbonated drinks. If you’re not sure what food and drink is causing you to produce more gas try keeping a food diary for a couple of weeks.
- Keep to regular mealtimes and try not to skip meals.
- Avoid eating late at night before bed.
- Try eating smaller, more digestible meals more often than three large meals a day.
- Stay active: Regular physical activity can generally aid digestion.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water.
- Relaxation techniques: Stress-relief practices like yoga or meditation can improve tummy troubles caused by anxiety and worry.
- Massaging your stomach from left to right can help to release trapped wind.
If dietary and lifestyle changes aren’t helping you can speak to your pharmacist about over the counter remedies to help relieve the symptoms of trapped wind.
Gentle Action Wind-eze Gel Caps are formulated to relieve symptoms such as stomach pain and bloating by dispersing the tiny bubbles of trapped wind.
Wind-eze contains an active ingredient called simeticone which usually starts to work on relieving trapped wind symptoms within 30 minutes.
If you feel bloated a lot of the time or it doesn’t appear to be getting better, talk to your GP.
Keep reading
Trapped wind: What causes it and how to get relief
Find your nearest stockist of Wind-eze
Fast relief from bloating and trapped wind discomfort.
Wind-eze offers quick relief from bloating and trapped wind discomfort. The active ingredient is simeticone, an anti-flatulence medicine. Always read the label.