Gas could indicate that you have a problem of gas build up in the stomach or that you have a build up of gas in your intestines. Bloating is generally used to describe the phenomenon of a gas build up in the intestines. The condition is caused by a variety of other conditions as well as the simplest causes, which are overeating, swallowing air when eating, and an accumulation of liquids. The first point of treating gas in the stomach is to eliminate the possibility of any other reason for a gas build up. Some of these reasons include lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, menstruation and menstrual cramps, PCOD, and a host of other diseases. The best way to ensure that these are not the cause are to simply go to the doctor for a check citing gas as a recurring problem that you would like to address.
Gas production happens in two areas of the digestive system. The stomach is the first area where gas production happens. In the stomach, gas production occurs due to the simple chemistry of acid reacting on alkaline substances and organic material that will give off some gas. This gas would mostly escape from the esophagus and further out through the mouth in a process called belching. The other zone for production of gas is the small intestine where food is at its last stage of processing for absorption. It is also in this area that food comes into contact with intestinal flora or gut bacteria. Usually, food is broken down and is in a simplified state for bacteria to break it down further and for the intestine to absorb the nutrients. However, sometimes this is not the case as is demonstrated when you eat beans. Beans are rich in a product called polysaccharides. These are very complex sugars that the body cannot digest and requires bacteria to work upon it. One unfortunate by product of the reaction is gas – usually passed out as flatulence. However, if beans are properly cooked by soaking overnight in water, this does not happen. This same effect can occur with many other types of foods.
The way to treat bloating because of gas is to first start chewing your food properly. This will avoid a bolus of food passing intact through into the intestines. Another possible reason for bloating to occur is a lack of the correct bacteria working on the food.
To avoid this, have some probiotic yogurt every morning until the bloating reduces.