Fortunately, there are several things you can do to ease the symptoms of trapped wind when they appear – whether that be avoiding certain foods and drinks or asking a local pharmacist for advice about which over-the-counter medication you can take to help.
But what exactly causes trapped wind in the first place? And what are some of the key symptoms to look out for? Let’s find out.
WHAT IS TRAPPED WIND?
As its name suggests, trapped wind refers to a condition where gas builds up and gets ‘trapped’ in your digestive system.
This is a common issue that affects everyone from time to time, and can lead to symptoms like stomach cramps and bloating – but more on those later!
ARE TRAPPED WIND AND BLOATING THE SAME?
While the terms ‘bloating’ and ‘trapped wind’ are often used interchangeably, you might be surprised to know they’re not the same thing.
Bloating is often described as a feeling of fullness, pressure or trapped wind inside your stomach. Meanwhile, trapped wind normally refers to the gas that’s trapped inside your gut, which can go on to cause bloating.
In other words, while trapped wind is one of the most common causes of bloating, it’s not the only cause.
Bloating can also be brought on by several other things, including your period, feeling constipated, having a food intolerance or being diagnosed with coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). So, if you’re experiencing symptoms and aren’t sure what the cause could be, speak to your doctor for their advice.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TRAPPED WIND SYMPTOMS?
While digestive issues like bloating, indigestion, heartburn and trapped wind are all associated with similar symptoms, there are some key signs to look out for when experiencing trapped wind in particular.
Some of the most common symptoms of trapped wind typically include:
- Passing a lot of wind (through flatulence and burping)
- Cramping and pains in your stomach
- Pain in your upper abdomen
- Feeling bloated
As well as potentially making your stomach feel full or bigger than usual, trapped wind may also cause it to rumble or make noises as the gas makes its way through your gut.
WHAT CAUSES TRAPPED WIND?
Trapped wind is a universal experience that we all encounter every now and then.
Thanks to the process of digestion, we normally produce several litres of gas per day. Some of this gas is absorbed into the bloodstream, where our body either reuses it or releases it when we breathe out.
However, most of the gas exits the body when we pass wind (up to 25 times a day) or burp (up to 30 times a day). This then leaves around 200ml of gas in our gut at all times – roughly the same size as your typical coffee mug!
If you have a higher level of gas in your gut, this could cause you to experience trapped wind symptoms more often.
TRAPPED WIND RISK FACTORS
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing trapped wind. These might include:
- Your diet – high-fibre foods like fruit, peas and beans are well-known for causing a higher level of gas in the gut because of how your body digests them.
- Swallowing too much air – while you may not be aware you’re doing it, swallowing too much air when you eat can increase your risk of trapped wind. This often happens in people who feel stressed and can be worsened by lifestyle factors like smoking.
- Food intolerances – having an intolerance to sugars like fructose or lactose can make it more difficult for your body to break down certain foods.
- Medical conditions – being diagnosed with a medical condition, like coeliac disease, IBS, cancer or gastroenteritis (a tummy bug), or an inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, can increase the amount of gas your gut produces.
- Medicines – certain types of medication, such as lactulose (a laxative) can cause trapped wind as a potential side effect.
If you’re experiencing trapped wind symptoms and would like to know what they’re being caused by, speak to your doctor. They’ll be able to discuss your symptoms with you and identify the best ways to manage them.
What’s more, if you’re taking a certain medication, the patient information leaflet that comes with it may list flatulence as a common side effect.
HOW TO RELIEVE TRAPPED WIND: TREATMENT AND PREVENTION TECHNIQUES
Dealing with trapped wind can be uncomfortable and, sometimes, painful. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help treat your symptoms when they appear.
TRAPPED WIND TREATMENT
There are certain types of treatments available to help alleviate the symptoms associated with trapped wind, including laxatives to treat constipation and medicines to encourage gut movement or relieve spasm-based symptoms.
Rennie® Deflatine, for example, is a discreet and effective treatment that can be used to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with trapped wind and bloating.
It does this through one of its active ingredients, known as simeticone, which works by causing the trapped air bubbles to combine and disperse, helping eliminate symptoms without embarrassment.
Rennie® Deflatine’s unique formula also contains antacids, which can provide effective relief from other stomach-related symptoms you may be experiencing, including heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux.
If you find that this treatment isn’t helping, your symptoms worsen or you experience other symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea or weight loss, speak to your doctor for tailored advice and support.
TRAPPED WIND PREVENTION TIPS
As the old phrase goes, prevention is sometimes better than a cure. So, here are some useful ways to help prevent trapped wind symptoms.
THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU EAT
When trying to beat the bloat, it’s important to look at both how and when you eat your meals.
For instance, try to avoid eating large meals before bed or slouching while you eat. Make sure to also chew your food with your mouth closed (to avoid swallowing air), drink plenty of water and eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large meals.
At the same time, eating more slowly and avoiding talking while eating or drinking may help you avoid unintentionally swallowing any extra air.
CHANGE UP YOUR LIFESTYLE
As well as your diet, making certain other changes in your day-to-day routine may help to prevent trapped wind.
Feeling stressed can impact your body’s digestive processes, while smoking can encourage you to swallow more air. As such, stopping smoking and prioritising stress management techniques like mindfulness or yoga could help support healthy digestion and prevent stomach-related symptoms.
Exercise has also been shown to improve gas-related symptoms, such as trapped wind. This is partly due to being in an upright position, as lying flat can stop the gas from being able to move around – and escape from – your body.
TIPS & ADVICE
A busy life can be hard on the stomach and anyone can be affected by heartburn, indigestion or trapped wind at some point. But if you often find yourself in discomfort, sometimes just a few simple changes to your lifestyle can really help to ease those uncomfortable symptoms.
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