Wondering how long can trapped wind last? Short answer: it can last for several days. Have some patience and read till the end. There is a wealth of information available in this blurb.
Every human being produces gas. Although it may be unpleasant and uncomfortable at first, it is not a life-threatening situation. Burping or passing gas via the rectum are two ways to get rid of it. About 1 to 4 pints of gas are produced by most individuals each day, with the average person passing gas 14 times each day.
Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and occasionally methane are the most common odorless vapors in gas. Flatulence is caused by sulfur-containing gases expelled by bacteria in the large intestine.
What is a “trapped wind”??
A condition known as trapped wind is caused by the buildup of gas in the digestive system because of swallowing air or as a byproduct of the breakdown of food in the stomach. As a result of this one can experience the following:
- Pain in the abdomen
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Your stomach making gurgling sounds
How long can trapped wind last?
It can last for a day or weeks or even months. There is no fixed time limit for the gas to pass. It majorly depends on your lifestyle, your food habits, etc. Read on to know more about trapped wind.
Are there any gas-related symptoms?
Excessive gas or a major illness seldom causes long-term symptoms. The most frequent signs and symptoms of gas are listed here. Symptoms may vary widely from person to person, of course. The following are possible signs and symptoms:
- Belching: People who regularly belch may be ingesting too much air and expelling it before the air reaches the stomach, which may lead to gastric problems. However, belching before or after your meals is normal. Peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may also cause chronic belching.
- Flatulence: Flatulence is a term used to describe the process of passing gas via the rectum. An average person passes gas 5 to 15 times a day.
- Bloating in the abdomen: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common causes of bloating. Intestinal muscular abnormalities are the hallmark of motility disorders. Falsely feeling full might be caused by an increase in gas sensitivity under these conditions.
- Chronic splenic-flexure syndrome may be brought on by gas being trapped in the colon’s bends (flexures).
- Bloating in the abdomen: Gas can cause bloating, but it may be a symptom of a variety of medical conditions, including Crohn’s disease, colon cancer, and others.
- Flabby or painful abdomens: Though they may be caused by gas, they might be the result of surgical adhesions or hernias (scar tissue).
- Fatty meals may produce bloating and discomfort by delaying stomach emptying, although this is not always the case with excessive gas.
- Pain and discomfort in the abdomen: A trapped wind may cause discomfort for some individuals. The discomfort might be mistaken for heart problems if it occurs on the left side of the colon. Gallstones or appendicitis-like pain may be felt when it accumulates on the right side of the colon.
The signs and symptoms of gas might be mistaken for those of other medical illnesses. Diagnosis should always be sought from a physician.
How to diagnose gas in the alimentary tract?
It’s important to rule out any underlying medical conditions that might be contributing to your gas symptoms. A thorough medical history and physical examination are only two of the diagnostic tools your doctor may recommend to you.
- X-ray of the abdomen.
- A food journal: In certain cases, you may be requested to maintain a food and beverage diary or keep track of the number of times you urinate throughout the day.
- Colonoscopy: There is an increased risk of colorectal cancer in those over 50 and in those with a family history of it. Inflammatory tissue, ulcers, and bleeding may be detected during a colonoscopy, which enables the doctor to see the whole length of the large intestine.
- Sigmoidoscopy: Doctors use sigmoidoscopy to find out what’s wrong with patients suffering from diarrhea, stomach discomfort, constipation as well as abnormal growths, and bleeding. Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic technique.
- Anatomy of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract (also called barium swallow): In the case of persistent belching, your doctor would likely order an upper GI series to rule out indications or reasons of excessive air swallowing. The esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are all parts of the digestive system that are examined during an upper GI series (the first section of the small intestine).
How to keep your digestive system free of gas?
The following are some tried-and-true methods for easing the pain of gas:
- Dietary modifications.
- Medications.
- Reducing the volume of air that is ingested.
- Intestinal gas alleviation therapy.
Based on the following factors, your doctor will prescribe a specific therapy for gas in the gastrointestinal tract:
- Your age, health, and medical history.
- The severity of the problem.
- Medicines and therapy based on your tolerance levels.
- Expectations on how the illness will progress.
- Your own opinion or judgment.