Can Excessive Gas be a Sign of Something Serious?

Excess gas in one’s digestive system is usually a common problem many people experience. However, on other occasions, it could be something more insidious.

While excessive gas need not be a cause for concern, it’s always important to be attentive to other symptoms and look for medical advice accordingly.

Simple dietary changes can often fix the problem, but more stubborn or severe cases should be looked into by a health professional to ensure that no serious conditions lie at the root. Here’s a closer look at what might be causing it and when to be concerned.

Common Causes of Excessive Gas

Most of the time, excessive gas passage is usually related to food. Some of the common gas-producing foods include beans, cabbage, and carbonated drinks.

Other activities that chew and swallow away air into the stomach include chewing and swallowing. Often, changes in diet or eating style can help reduce gas production. This is usually not serious and simple lifestyles may control it.

Where Gas Could Signal a Health Problem

Other times, excessive gas may be a sign that something is wrong with your health. Conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance, can bring about excessive gas.

One is a digestive disorder that predominantly affects the large intestine, and the other is an inability to digest lactose properly, which is a sugar in milk. If you have other symptoms such as pain, bloating, or diarrhoea along with excessive gas, then see a doctor.

Serious Health Issues

In other, more unlikely events, too much gas may be related to more serious diseases. For example, partial obstruction in the intestines or other gastrointestinal abnormalities could be the cause.

Severe abdominal pain or discomfort, weight loss, or blood in the stool are all warning bells. If you have too much gas in combination with these symptoms, you should seek medication immediately.

Dr. Kailash Mishra
Director & Gastroenterologist Consultant
Prime Gastro Liver Clinic