Trapped gas in the digestive system is a common cause of abdominal pain and discomfort. This gas gets trapped in the intestines and abdomen causing bloating, belly pain, and cramps. The pain from gas buildup can come and go as the gas moves through the digestive tract.
What causes trapped gas?
Gas buildup occurs from swallowed air or as a byproduct of digestion. Everyone has gas in their digestive system. But it becomes uncomfortable when excess gas accumulates and gets trapped. Some common causes of excess gas include:
- Swallowing too much air when eating or drinking
- Eating gassy foods like beans, vegetables, fruits, and soda
- Food intolerances like lactose or gluten intolerance
- Smoking
- Chewing gum
- Drinking through a straw
- Eating too fast
- Anxious habits like gulping air or aerophagia
The gas gets trapped when it has difficulty moving through the digestive tract. Factors that can slow digestion and transit include:
- Slowed motility due to illness, medications, or metabolic issues
- Constipation
- Blockages or narrowing in the intestines
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Irritable bowel diseases like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
Signs and symptoms of trapped gas
The most common signs and symptoms from trapped intestinal gas include:
- Abdominal bloating
- Stomach cramps and spasms
- Sharp abdominal pain that comes and goes
- Excess belching
- Flatulence or passing gas
- Feeling an urge to pass a bowel movement
- Rumbling stomach noises
- Upper abdominal discomfort, especially after eating
This discomfort typically starts after meals when the intestines are active. The pain may occur anywhere in the abdomen where gas gets trapped behind blockages or narrowed areas. The chest and upper abdomen are also common sites.
Does trapped gas pain come and go?
Yes, the pain and discomfort from trapped intestinal gas often comes and goes. Here’s why:
- Gas causes pain when it gets trapped and builds up pressure in the intestines. This leads to bloating and cramping.
- As the body naturally passes some of the gas (through belching or flatulence), the pressure decreases temporarily. This reduces the pain and discomfort.
- But more gas continues to accumulate, increasing the pressure again. This repeats the cycle of pain coming and going.
Some activities can also make the pain come and go. For example:
- Eating a meal adds more gas, increasing pain and bloating.
- Moving around can get the gas moving through the intestines, providing temporary relief.
- Taking antacids or gas medications like simethicone helps the gas bubbles consolidate, reducing pressure.
- Trying to pass a bowel movement or pass gas can relieve the buildup until more gas accumulates.
So the pain tends to decrease with passing gas or having a bowel movement. But it eventually returns as the intestines make more gas. The cycle continues until the excess gas production stops or the blockage/constipation clears.
How long does trapped gas pain last?
Mild or moderate gas pain can come and go for a few hours after eating gassy foods or swallowing air. Severe and prolonged pain can last for several days if there is an underlying bowel disorder or obstipation.
On average, trapped intestinal gas pain lasts:
- 30 minutes to a few hours with mild buildup
- 1-2 days if gas gets really stuck due to constipation
- Up to 3-5 days for severe cases related to digestive disorders
The pain typically goes away once the gas disperses or the constipation/obstruction resolves. But it keeps recurring with further gas buildup. Taking medications that target gas can provide longer relief between episodes.
What does trapped gas pain feel like?
The type and severity of pain can vary depending on the amount of gas buildup and cause. Here are some ways patients describe trapped intestinal gas pain:
- Cramping, spasms, or colicky pain
- Stabbing, sharp pains that come and go
- Dull ache or pressure
- Bloated feeling
- Fullness in the abdomen
- Rumbling stomach
The pain typically starts gradually and gets worse over hours. It may start shortly after eating a large meal. Pain from prolonged intestinal obstruction comes on more severely.
Where does the pain occur?
The most common locations for trapped gas pain include:
- Upper abdomen below the ribs
- Near the navel or belly button area
- Lower left abdomen
- Lower right abdomen
But it can also occur higher in the chest or upper abdomen. The pain location depends on where in the intestines the gas gets stuck. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often experience left lower abdominal pain from trapped gas.
Can certain foods cause trapped gas?
Yes, certain foods are more likely to cause excess gas production and increase the risk of trapped gas pain. Foods to limit include:
- Beans, lentils, legumes
- Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, onions, artichokes
- Fruits like apples, pears, peaches, prunes
- Whole grains and bran
- Carbonated beverages
- Milk, ice cream (if lactose intolerant)
- Foods containing sorbitol or fructose
- High fat, greasy foods
- Sugar alcohols like xylitol, maltitol, or erythritol
For some people, almost any food can cause gas due to food sensitivities. Keeping a food diary can help identify problem gas-producing foods.
Is trapped gas serious?
Mild or temporary gas pain isn’t serious on its own. But recurrent, severe, or persistent abdominal pain should be evaluated by a doctor. It could indicate an underlying health condition needing treatment, such as:
- Bowel obstruction
- Gastroparesis
- Gallstones
- Ulcers
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Colon cancer
- Gynecological conditions
Seeking prompt medical care is recommended if you have any severe or concerning symptoms along with the trapped gas pain. These include:
- Fever or vomiting
- Blood in vomit or stools
- Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
- Weight loss
- Persistent loss of appetite
- Pain uncontrolled by over-the-counter medications
Treatments for trapped gas pain
Mild to moderate gas discomfort can often be managed at home with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter treatments. Options to help relieve trapped intestinal gas include:
- Over-the-counter medications – Antacids, simethicone, activated charcoal
- Dietary changes – Low FODMAP diet, eliminate problem foods
- Probiotics and enzymes – Improve digestion and gut health
- Exercise – Get the bowels moving
- Abdominal massage – Help gas bubbles coalesce
- Peppermint oil – Soothes inflammation and spasms
- Yoga poses – Wind relieving pose, knee to chest
- Herbal teas – Chamomile, peppermint, ginger, fennel
If lifestyle measures don’t provide lasting relief, medications that target intestinal gas production and motility can be prescribed. These include:
- Rifaximin – Antibiotic that reduces hydrogen gas production
- Lubiprostone – Helps improve intestinal motility
- Linaclotide – Guanylate cyclase-C agonist that reduces visceral pain
For severe chronic cases, breath tests can check for bacterial overgrowth or food intolerances. Endoscopy procedures may help identify any obstruction or diseases. Surgery is rarely needed for trapped intestinal gas alone.
When to see a doctor
Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have:
- Severe or persistent pain lasting more than 2 days
- Significant abdominal swelling or bloating
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in your stool
- Fever or dizziness along with the gas pain
Keep track of any factors that seem to trigger or worsen your symptoms. Your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical exam. They may recommend blood tests, imaging studies, or a referral to a gastroenterologist to help determine the cause.
When to go to the ER
Seek emergency care immediately if you have:
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- Fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
- Uncontrolled vomiting
- Blood in vomit or stools
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness or fainting
These signs can indicate a serious medical issue requiring emergency treatment, such as appendicitis, bowel obstruction, perforation, or ischemia.
Can trapped gas be prevented?
Making certain lifestyle changes can help reduce gas buildup and prevent associated pain episodes:
- Avoid chewing gum, drinking through straws, and talking while eating
- Prevent constipation by staying hydrated and active
- Limit consumption of carbonated drinks, beans, dairy, cruciferous vegetables
- Take gas-reducing enzymes like Beano with meals
- Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
- Treat underlying conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or lactose intolerance
- Quit smoking and manage stress
- Take probiotics to support healthy gut flora
But some gas buildup is normal, and occasional transient pain can still occur. Using coping strategies when the pain flares up can help manage symptoms.
Coping with trapped gas pain episodes
You can try these self-care measures when experiencing a trapped gas pain episode at home:
- Apply a warm compress to the abdomen
- Massage the abdomen to help break up gas bubbles
- Pass gas to release pressure
- Go for a walk to encourage bowel movements
- Do yoga poses like child’s pose that relax the abdomen
- Drink chamomile or ginger tea
- Take over-the-counter gas medications like simethicone or Gas-X
- Use peppermint essential oil on the abdomen
- Distract yourself with guided meditation, breathing exercises, or music
Avoid using heating pads, which can worsen gas pain. Seek medical treatment if self-care and OTC meds don’t provide relief within 12-24 hours.
Key Points
- Trapped intestinal gas causes abdominal pain that often comes and goes in cycles.
- As gas accumulates and pressure builds, pain and bloating increase. Passing gas or having a bowel movement provides temporary relief.
- Eating gas-producing foods, constipation, digestive disorders, and swallowing too much air can cause trapped gas.
- Treatment focuses on dietary changes, probiotics, exercise, OTC meds, and stress management.
- See a doctor for severe, persistent, or worsening pain that isn’t relieved by home treatments.
The Bottom Line
It’s common for the abdominal pain from trapped intestinal gas to come and go. Mild to moderate symptoms can often be managed at home by passing gas, using heating pads, taking OTC medications, and making dietary changes. Severe or persistent pain may need evaluation by a doctor to check for underlying conditions. Tracking pain episodes and possible triggers can help you find long-term relief from this cyclic discomfort.