Definition:
These are air bubbles that can get trapped in the stomach and/or passed on to the intestine.
Diagnosis:
During the exam, the doctor may check to see if the abdomen is distended and listen for a hollow sound when the abdomen is tapped. A hollow sound often indicates the presence of excess gas.
Treatment:
To avoid gas pains, one can try cutting back on fried, fatty, and high-fiber foods. Also, eating smaller meals, chewing food more carefully, avoiding chewing gum and drinking through a straw can help avoid gas pains.
Symptoms and Signs:
Some symptoms include the voluntary or involuntary passing of gas, either as belching or as flatus. There can also be sharp, jabbing pains or cramps in the abdomen. These pains may occur anywhere in the abdomen and can change locations quickly. The patient may also have a "knotted" feeling in the stomach. Another symptom is abdominal bloating (distension).
Causes:
A person may unknowingly swallow air when he is nervous, eats too fast, chews gum or drinks through a straw. Some of that air finds its way into the lower digestive tract. But most lower intestinal gas is produced when bacteria in the colon ferment carbohydrates that aren't digested in the small intestine.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
