Can Gas Cause Stomach Pain?
When your intestines have too much gas in them, it can cause stomach pain, bloating, and general discomfort.
All bodies produce gas as part of their normal, day-to-day functioning. As we eat, we swallow some air. Plus our digestive tracts produce additional gas as bacteria in the colon breaks down certain foods.
As long as gas moves through the body, intestinal gas is not usually painful. But when a bubble of gas gets trapped inside, the pain can range from mild to more intense.
What Causes Gas and Stomach Pain?
Stomach pain and gas can result from different things. Some of the most common causes of stomach pain and gas include:
Constipation
When you are having trouble pooping regularly, gas can get trapped in your intestines along with stool. Constipation makes gas and stomach pain more likely.
Food intolerances
If you eat foods that you're sensitive too, you may make more gas leading to stomach pain. For example, lactose intolerance can cause your stomach to work too hard or slow down if you keep drinking milk or other dairy products.
Swallowed air
If you're swallowing air, you can end up with more gas in your stomach and in to your intestines. This may happen if you talk a lot while eating, chew gum, suck on hard candies, smoke, or wear dentures that fit too loosely.
Carbonated beverages
The carbon dioxide in your soda or other carbonated beverages puts more air into your stomach. If you don't burp it out, that air will end up in your intestines, where it can give you gas and stomach pain.
Diet choices
Certain foods tend to produce more gas, which can lead to stomach pain. These include high-fiber vegetables and legumes such as:
- Beans
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Onions
- Apples
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
Digestive issues or conditions
Health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or celiac disease can affect your digestion to cause more gas and stomach pain.
Infection
If you have a lot of bacteria growing in your intestines, they may lead to excess gas and stomach pain. You may have other symptoms, including diarrhea or weight loss.
Medicines
Any medicine that causes your digestive system to process foods more slowly can cause more gas to get trapped in your intestines. That trapped gas can cause stomach pain.
Can menstruation cause painful stomach cramps and gas?
Yes. Some women and people assigned female at birth experience painful stomach cramps and gas during certain times of their menstrual cycle. Changes in hormones may affect both your digestion and sensitivity to gas pain.
What Does Stomach Pain Due to Gas Feel Like?
Gas pain is often described as generalized or cramp-like. More localized pain or pain that comes in waves may indicate a different cause.
Stomach pain from gas may feel like:
- Tenderness
- Fullness
- Pressure
- Sharp or stabbing
- Dull ache
Sometimes you may feel it in different places, including:
- Belly
- Right or left side
- Upper back
- Lower back
- Chest
Your gas and stomach pain may sometimes feel a lot like another condition including:
- Heart attack
- Gallstones
- Appendicitis
Home Remedies for Stomach Pain and Gas
Most stomach pain and gas will go away on its own, but there are steps you can take to ease discomfort and prevent future gas pain. Gas-related stomach pain remedies include:
Pass gas
The only way to get rid of gas is to pass it. Don't hold it in. If you're worried about odor, try reducing foods that contain sulfur-producing compounds such as broccoli, cabbage, and beer.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Many gas-relieving products are marketed, but scientific evidence of their effectiveness is limited. Many people claim to experience relief, so they may be worth trying. The most common medications that claim to relieve immediate symptoms are activated charcoal and simethicone (Gas-X and Gas Relief).
Herbal remedies
Peppermint and peppermint oil have the best record as digestive aids, but there are many other foods that may help. In one study, Chinese herbal formulae outperformed placebos in soothing IBS symptoms. Commonly included ingredients are:
- Rhubarb
- Barley
- Tangerine peel
- Cardamom
- Licorice root
Exercise
Working out can help prevent constipation and gas pain. Even just getting up and walking about can help. The body retains more gas when supine (lying face upward).
Stomach massage
A gentle self-massage can help ease pressure and cramping associated with gas and may even help relieve constipation. Rub your fingers in a small circular motion, moving clockwise and traveling up the right side of your stomach and down the left.
Heating pad
A heating pad or hot water bottle placed on your belly may help to ease the stomach pain from gas while you wait for it to pass.
Diet changes
The following foods are known to produce gas, so consume them with care:
- High-fiber foods
- Fruits and sweets rich in fructose
- Sorbitol
- Dairy products, which contain lactose
- Cruciferous vegetables
Habit changes
Habits that can make you swallow more air and lead to more gas include:
- Smoking
- Eating too quickly
- Chewing gum or sucking on candy
- Consuming a lot of carbonation
- Drinking through a straw
- Wearing ill-fitting dentures
Enzymes before eating certain foods
Taking enzymes before you eat can help you better digest your meal. Most enzymes are only available for those with a medical condition that prevents them from producing their own. However, two widely available enzymes for problematic foods are:
- Lactase supplements (such as Lactrase or Lactaid) can help those who are lactose intolerant.
- Alpha galactosidase supplements (such as Beano or Bean Relief) can help people digest legumes.
Remember that supplements including OTC enzymes aren't approved by the FDA or proven to work. You should always take caution when using supplements, especially if you have other health conditions or are taking other medicines.
When to See a Doctor
While most cases of stomach pain and gas can be treated at home, you should talk to your doctor if you're worried. You should also consult your doctor if:
- Your pain lasts more than a couple days
- Stomach gas and pain remain well after an immediate cause, such as constipation, is relieved
Potential causes of more enduring gas pain include celiac disease and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). If you suspect you may have celiac disease, pay attention to your gluten intake to see if the pain gets better.
SIBO is generally seen in people who have:
- Had abdominal surgeries
- Diverticulosis
- Systemic diseases such as Crohn's, end-stage renal disease, and diabetes
- Compromised immune systems
- History of narcotic abuse
- Long-term use of acid-suppressive medications
Call your doctor to discuss frequent stomach pain and gas if your medical history includes any of the above issues or anytime you have unexplained or worrisome pain.
Emergency Care
While gas pains don't usually require emergency treatment, there is some danger that more serious conditions could look like gas pain. If you also experience chest pain or pressure, call 911 immediately.
The following symptoms also could indicate an emergent situation. You should visit an urgent care center or emergency room if your stomach pain is accompanied by any of these symptoms:
- Blood in your stool
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting that persist over several days
- Yellowish skin
- Abdominal swelling
- Severe tenderness when your abdomen is touched
In addition, severe abdominal pain can also be an indicator that something more is wrong. If your pain is extreme and debilitating, seek treatment immediately.
Takeaways
Stomach pain from gas can be mild or more severe. It's normal to have gas, but certain foods, conditions, or other factors can lead you to have more gas and stomach pain. Most of the time, stomach pain from gas will resolve on its own. See a doctor if your pain isn't going away or it's happening often to get advice on how to relieve your gas and stomach pain or see if you may have another condition.
Gas and Stomach Pain FAQs
Does dehydration cause gas and stomach pain?
Yes, it can. When you don't drink enough water and are dehydrated, you can get bloated and constipated as your digestive system slows down. Anything that causes your stomach and intestines to slow down can lead to more gas and stomach pain.
What is the best position to relieve gas?
It's ok to try different positions to see what works for you. One study found that body posture or position does affect how fast your gas will pass. It's generally better to stand up than it is to lay in bed.
How do I get the gas out of my stomach?
Burping or belching gets gas out of your stomach. You can also limit the amount of gas or air in your stomach by eating or drinking more slowly, avoiding carbonated drinks and gum or hard candy, not smoking, exercising, and treating heartburn.
Does drinking hot water relieve gas?
It's possible that drinking warm or room temperature water or tea could help with your gas and it's safe to try it. Don't drink water that is scalding or hot enough to burn you.
