Gas in the stomach is usually the result of swallowing air when one eats or drinks. Bloating will soon be alleviated by burping that releases the gas. Nonetheless, frequent or persistent stomach gas is potentially an indication of underlying gastrointestinal conditions that call for medical attention. Let's check out the causes of stomach gas, Chinese home remedies methods, and medical exams you can take.
What Causes Stomach Gas?
Common causes for stomach gas include:
- Aerophagia: the most common cause; swallowing air while eating or drinking or talking
- Diet: intake of alcohol, potatoes, fermented foods, soy products, and some types of fruits such as apples and watermelons
- Undigested foods: slow digestion of foods can result in the chemical reaction that produces hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane that cause a build of stomach gas.
- Lactose intolerance: a congenital disorder that causes allergic reactions to dairy products
- Indigestion: also known as dyspepsia or upset stomach; a condition of impaired digestion
- Pancreatitis: sudden inflammation of the pancreas
- Food poisoning
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation
Stomach gas can also be a sign of more severe disease, including peptic ulcers, hernias, intestinal blockages, or colon cancer.
Home remedies for stomach gas
There are a few recipes and acupoint massages that can help alleviate the discomfort and release the gas.
3 home remedies recipes for stomach gas
1. Hyacinth bean pot
- Ingredients: hyacinth bean 30g, Dangshen 15g, jujube 5pcs, Chinese hawthorn 6g, smoked plum 3pcs
- Method: cut the jujubes open, boil with all other ingredients for 40 minutes
2. Chenpi and ginger tea
- Ingredients: ginger 3pcs, chenpi ½pc, jujube 3pcs
- Method: cut the jujubes open, boil with ginger and chenpi for 15 to 20 minutes
3. Chinese herbal soup
- Ingredients: fried radish seed 10g, fried Millet sprout 15g, fried malt 15g, Chenpi 1pc, white carrot 2, dried duck kidney 2pcs, ginger 2pcs
- Method: peel and cut up whte carrots, boil slowly with other ingredients for 1 hour
4 acupoints that can relieve the discomfort from stomach gas
Try massaging the following 4 acupoints for 2-3 minutes next time you feel gas in the stomach:
1. Middle Epigastrium
Target: digestive system
Location: 6 finger-widths above the belly button
2. Water Division
Target: edema, diarrhea, stomach ache
Location: 1 finger-width above the belly button
3. Heaven's Pivot
Target: bloating, diarrhea, digestive system
Location: 3 finger-widths on the sides of the belly button
4. Origin Pass
Target: digestive system, gynaecological diseases
Location: 4 finger-widths below the belly button
In Chinese medicine, massaging acupoints could have a healing effect on the organs with which they correspond.
Relevant Medical Exams For Stomach Gas
When stomach gas is persistent, it may be the sign of underlying gastrointestinal conditions. If along with stomach gas, you also experience loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, or weight loss, you should consult a doctor for check-ups. Common tests for stomach problems include:
| Abdominal ultrasound |
An abdominal ultrasound can help your doctor see the organs in your abdomen. It can help your doctor evaluate the cause of pain or bloating in the stomach and help check for kidney stones, liver disease, tumors and more. |
| Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Test |
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that infects the digestive system and can cause a variety of digestive disorders including gastritis, peptic ulcers, and certain types of stomach cancer. There are multiple ways to test for an H. pylori infection, including blood, stool, and breath tests. |
| Gastroscopy |
A gastroscopy is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope is used to look inside the oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine. A gastroscopy can be used to investigate problems, such as dysphagia or persistent stomach ache. |
See also: Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy & Cataract Removal: Common Day Surgeries & Costs
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