Does Acid Reflux Cause Gas

Occasional heartburn, or acid reflux, is normal and does not create health problems. When acid reflux occurs regularly rather than occasionally, it turns into acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Individuals who suffer from GERD might find that gas and gas pains seem like a regular problem as well and might wonder whether the acid reflux is causing the gas.

The Answer:

The simple answer of whether acid reflux causes gas is yes. GERD will sometimes result in more gas because when the acid comes up into the esophagus, GERD sufferers often swallow to relieve the burning sensation. By swallowing more, someone with acid reflux will also swallow air.

Swallowing air leads to belching or gas. If a large amount of air is swallowed, belching is not always enough to remove the air from the stomach so it passes into the intestines and becomes gas. Sometimes, the amount of gas might cause pain, but the pain will not usually last long.

Other Factors:

Acid reflux is only one factor in the development in gas. In most individuals, it is a very small factor in why gas develops because many individuals who suffer from GERD take medication to help control the symptoms, thus limiting the air swallowed due to acid reflux.

Other factors involved include eating foods that cause gas, smoking, eating hard candies, chewing gum, drinking carbonated beverages and eating or drinking too quickly.

Treating Gas Caused by Acid Reflux:

When gas is caused by acid reflux, it remains a problem as long as the acid reflux is a problem.

• Start with treating the acid reflux. Treatment methods to deal with acid reflux include making diet changes, not eating directly before bed and taking a medication for the problem. If acid reflux is a regular problem, discuss the situation with your doctor. Each individual has different treatment needs and triggers, so only your personal doctor can help determine the best way to manage your situation.
• For immediate gas relief, take something to break up the gas. For example, take Beano or a similar gas relief option. This is particularly helpful if you feel gas pains from the swallowed air.
• Anyone who suffers from GERD or acid reflux problems should avoid eating foods that cause gas as well as foods that trigger acid reflux. Foods like broccoli, cabbage, hard candy or beans cause gas and only compound the problem. Limiting gas-causing foods will help minimize or eliminate the gas problem.

Warning:

Any time gas is combined with problems like bloody stools, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, fever, severe or prolonged pain in the abdomen, constipation or diarrhea, talk to your doctor. These are signs of more serious health conditions that sometimes have gas as a symptom.

Conclusion:

Acid reflux is a factor in the development of gas. While GERD contributes the gas due to swallowing air, excessive gas is usually the result of a combination of factors. In most cases, gas problems associated with acid reflux are alleviated when the GERD is treated.

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