How long does trapped wind last

You may experience crampy tummy pains. Gas-related symptoms include burping excessively, passing a lot of wind from the back passage, crampy stomach pains and a bloated belly. Gas sometimes settles in the curves of the large bowel large intestine under the liver or spleen. This can cause pain in the upper right or upper left areas of your tummy. Most people who are bothered by these types of symptoms do not actually produce more gas than usual, they are just more sensitive to normal amounts.

However, it is now considered that some patients with irritable bowel syndrome do produce larger than normal volumes of gas. Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition in which bouts of tummy pain are associated with bloating and changes in bowel habit such as constipation and diarrhoea. See the separate leaflet called Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Just to complicate matters further, the amount of bloating does not relate to the seriousness of the cause. People with irritable bowel syndrome may complain of severe bloating, whilst in those with coeliac disease the bloating may be mild, moderate or severe.

Everybody has gas-related symptoms from time to time. In most cases, this is part of the natural working of the body and the symptoms soon pass. Some people complain they are feeling bloated all the time. As mentioned above, people are occasionally sensitive to normal amounts of gas in the tummy. The reasons for this are not entirely clear. This is called aerophagia. You may not be aware of it but you may be swallowing air frequently or in large amounts.

This often happens in people who are under stress. It can be aggravated by chewing gum and smoking. Usually, air swallowed in this way passes into the gullet oesophagus and down into the stomach. However, sometimes air is sucked into the back of the throat the pharynx and is burped out before it reaches the oesophagus.

This is known as supragastric belching. Some people swallow air deliberately to cause belching, as they find this helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion. Lactose intolerance happens when your body has difficulty digesting lactose. Lactose is present in milk and foods which are made with milk. Lactose intolerance causes diarrhoea, tummy pains and bloating.

See the separate leaflet called Lactose Intolerance. Intolerance to sugars in certain foods can occur. Fructose intolerance is the most common. Foods high in fructose include dried fruit, honey, sucrose, onions and artichokes. Sorbitol is another sugar to which you can be intolerant. It is found in chewing gum and 'sugar-free' sweets. Check the leaflet of any medicines you are taking, as wind, gas or bloating can be side-effects.

Metformin a medicine for diabetes and lactulose a laxative are well known to cause these symptoms. Antacids such as magnesium trisilicate help to combat indigestion but they can increase the amount of carbon dioxide produced in the stomach, and aggravate belching.

Most people with gas-related symptoms have increased sensitivity to gas or have one of the causes of increased gas production mentioned above. However, occasionally these symptoms can be caused by diseases of the bowel.

Sometimes, the illness can be short-lived. For example, acute gastroenteritis also known as a 'tummy bug' , often caused by infection with a virus, can result in a short-term condition associated with increased gas.

Fructose is a fruit sugar found in table sugar, sweeteners and syrups, dried fruits, juices and other processed foods and drinks. An apple, or a ml glass of orange juice, both have around 6g of fructose and some carbonated drinks have up to 50g for a single can or bottle. For many of us, undigested fructose reaches the large intestine — where it ferments and produces gas.

Gut bacteria play a key role in digestion. As bacteria interact with undigested carbohydrates in the gut, they produce a range of different gases and these can lead to excessive wind and flatulence.

Our microbiome is influenced by our diet, lifestyle and use of antibiotics can lead to significant changes in the gases we produce. Probiotic drinks and yogurts are readily available, and fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi also provide probiotics.

Medicines including ibuprofen, statins and antifungals can sometimes cause flatulence. Speak to your doctor if you suspect a medicine you take regularly is causing wind problems. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS affects as many as 1 in 5 people and can arise from food passing through the gut too quickly or slowly, overly sensitive nerves in the gut, food intolerances and stress. It can also cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.

These tend to come and go over time, and episodes can last for days, weeks or months. Talk to your doctor, who can suggest a management plan. This may include adherence to an eating plan known as the FODMAPs diet, which has been clinically shown to help with IBS symptoms, however it must be followed with the supervision of a dietitian.

Warning signs include excessive flatulence as well as diarrhoea, bloating, stomach pain or feeling sick after consuming lactose-containing dairy foods such as milk and cheese. Severe abdominal pain is a greater cause for concern. Return to Symptoms.

Next Review Date:. Stomach cramps with bloating are often caused by trapped wind. If your stomach cramps have started recently and you also have diarrhoea , the cause may be a tummy bug gastroenteritis. This means you have a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and bowel. It should get better without treatment after a few days. If you have repeated bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea, you may have a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome IBS.

Sudden agonising pain in a particular area of your abdomen may be a sign of a serious problem. It could rapidly get worse without treatment. If your GP suspects you have one of these conditions, they may refer you to hospital immediately. Gas pain can be uncomfortable, or so severe that it can interrupt daily activities.

Luckily, plenty of simple home remedies can bring relief. In this article we look at what causes uncomfortable gas in the chest, how to tell it apart from a heart attack, and how to relieve symptoms. Learn about different factors that can cause flatulence to produce a bad odor.

We also look at tips for treating and preventing smelly farts. What causes trapped gas and how to relieve it. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Is it normal? Is having trapped gas normal?

When to speak with a doctor. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Everything you need to know about flatulence. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois. How to make yourself fart. Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. How to get rid of trapped gas. What to know about gas pain in the chest.

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. How do you stop smelly farts?