Wind, Gas, and Bloating Explained

Flatulence refers to the natural build-up of intestinal gas or flatus in the digestive system and the process of releasing this gas from the body. Gas collects in our bodies in two main ways. The first is when you swallow air while eating or drinking which causes oxygen and nitrogen to build in the digestive tract. The second most common way is through the collection of digestive gases that occurs as we eat and digest food, including hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. Bloating can occur when the wind has difficulties moving through the digestive system and becomes trapped. This can also cause a number of other uncomfortable symptoms, such as pain and cramps.

Signs and Symptoms of Wind and Bloating

Belching and flatulence are the most common signs associated with wind and bloating. However, there are many other symptoms you may experience if the wind becomes trapped or if you have a digestive problem. These include:

• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Loud gurgling
• Diarrhoea 
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Abdominal bloating
• Acid reflux
• Excess gas
• Feeling full

Causes of Wind, Gas, and Bloating

Gas is a part of everyone's digestive system and occurs as a natural by-product of digesting food. When gas gets stuck in the bowels, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as flatulence, bloating, and abdominal pain. There are many conditions that can cause some people to experience these symptoms more than others. These may include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - This is a colon disorder that results in chronic spasms and symptoms such as constipation, diarrhoea, trapped wind, and bloating.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - This refers to a variety of disorders that inflame the digestive tract. It can result in cramping, wind, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, and more.
• Food intolerances - Certain foods may increase the amount of gas in your stomach. This commonly includes lactose intolerance which occurs when the small intestine doesn't make enough lactase enzyme to break down milk products. Other intolerances include FODMAP diets, gluten, and soy.
• Coeliac disease - This is an immune reaction that occurs when eating gluten products and can result in excessive gas, bloating, and diarrhoea.
• Gas-producing foods - Digestive problems can happen when you eat certain foods known to produce more gas in the body, such as brussels sprouts and foods containing artificial sweeteners, fructose and sorbitol.
• Swallowing air - Swallowing excessive air leads to a build-up of air in our digestive system that must then find its way out again. We can take in more air through different activities, such as chewing gum, eating too fast, and drinking fizzy drinks.

Getting the Right Diagnosis

Gastroenterology is a complex topic and one that covers many different conditions and disorders affecting gut health. Certain symptoms may be a result of an underlying medical condition that requires further treatment and diagnosis. To ensure you get the right treatment for your symptoms, speak to a healthcare professional about your gastrointestinal health.

How Long Can Trapped Wind Last

While gas is typically expelled from the body through burping or flatulence, it can sometimes get trapped in the abdomen and cause bloating, pain and discomfort. Trapped wind can last for days and come and go. You can help manage uncomfortable symptoms with our range of OTC medications, including De-Gas capsules, Gasbusters capsules, and Charcocaps capsules for flatulence and trapped wind.

Ways to Reduce Wind, Flatulence, and Bloating

You can reduce wind and bloating naturally or with over-the-counter medications. If you suspect a food intolerance, try eliminating gluten and dairy products from your diet and see if your symptoms improve. If not, try eliminating other food groups and see if this makes a difference. Avoid foods that cause excessive gas, such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, and prunes. A food diary can help you to keep track. Some foods contain carbohydrates that can't be absorbed by the intestines. This undigested food passes into the colon where it is broken down by bacteria which causes gas.

Gentle exercise can also help to move trapped wind, as well as sipping on peppermint tea which can help to relieve pain, reduce bloating, and soothe spasms in the gut.

Over the Counter Treatments Available

Over-the-counter medications can be an effective way of treating the signs of gas, bloating and trapped wind. Amcal stock a wide range of laxatives, suppositories, fibre supplements, and more to help you find relief and improve your digestive health.

Charcoal can absorb gas that has collected in the bowel and bind substances together to move them out of the body. Our Charcocaps are a natural way to help reduce flatulence and ease related symptoms. You can also shop Mintec Peppermint Oil capsules for IBS Relief to help relieve abdominal cramps, wind and bloating.

We have capsules for flatulence, including De-Gas, Gasbusters and Dulcogas dissolvable crystals with Simethicone to decrease gas bubbles. If constipation is a problem, we have a selection of fibre supplements to help move things along, including Normacol, Senokot tablets, and Movicol powder for kids and adults. For a natural solution, try Prunelax in gel or tablet form to help you maintain regular bowel movements.

We also stock Lacteeze tablets to replace lactase enzymes in the body and relieve bloating, wind, cramping, and diarrhoea associated with dairy intolerance.

Preventative Measures You Can Take

You can reduce your chances of developing trapped wind and bloating by making a few changes to your lifestyle. Watch what foods you consume and make an effort to chew more slowly to avoid indigestion and cramps. A food diary can help you to pinpoint any ingredients that may be making you gassy due to food intolerance.

Try incorporating probiotics into your daily routine. These good bacteria can help to break down gases and deliver a wide range of health benefits for your digestive system. You can take probiotic supplements or consume them naturally through fermentable foods, such as yoghurt and sauerkraut.

Drink peppermint tea to soothe the stomach and make sure you drink plenty of water daily. Practice a regular exercise routine. Reduce your intake of excessive air by not chewing gum, drinking fizzy drinks, or eating with your mouth open.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If your symptoms persist for longer than a week or get worse, see your doctor. There are also certain symptoms that shouldn't be ignored and require medical advice and testing to diagnose the problem. These can include unexplained weight loss, vomiting, consistent heartburn, trouble swallowing, excessive diarrhoea and severe constipation.

Buying Wind, Gas, or Bloating Treatments Online at Amcal

Get relief for wind and bloating fast with the Amcal range of over-the-counter medications and natural treatments. We have laxatives and fibre supplements for constipation, as well as tablets to ease flatulence, bloating, cramps, and IBS symptoms. We also have products for dairy absorption and children's liquid and powder sachets to settle little tummies and relieve constipation. Find them in Australia's favourite brands, including Movicol, Gylcerol, Buscopan, Laxettes, Microlax, and much more.

Shop online with free delivery for orders over $89 or visit your nearest Amcal store and speak to a friendly team member who can assist you in finding the right medication for your needs.

FAQs About Treatments for Relief for Wind and Bloating

How to Get Rid of Trapped Wind Quickly?

Trapped wind happens when gas has trouble moving through the digestive system and becomes stuck in the intestines. This can cause pain, bloating, and discomfort. Here are some ways you can help relieve trapped gas quickly:

• OTC medication, such as De-Gas or Gasbusters
• Gentle exercise
• Peppermint tea
• Bowel movement
• Burping and flatulence

How Do You Get Rid of Bloating and Gas Fast?

Gas and bloating can occur for many reasons, including food intolerance, IBS, IBD, eating gas-producing foods and swallowing excessive air. To help reduce these symptoms, you can:

• Take peppermint capsules, such as our ones by Mintec
• Try gas-relief capsules
• Massage the abdomen
• Take a warm bath
• Do some gentle yoga poses

What Causes Excessive Wind and Bloating?

Most gas is produced by swallowing too much air or when undigested food moves into the intestines and is broken down by bacteria and converted into gas. Other causes can include:

• Eating foods with artificial sweeteners
• Drinking fizzy drinks 
• Chewing gum
• Eating food that produces gas
• Food intolerances, such as dairy, gluten and soy

Amcal can help to soothe bloating, cramps, excessive wind and other digestive health problems with our range of gas-relief medication, laxatives, and fibre supplements by leading brands. 

How do You Settle a Windy Stomach?

One of the fastest ways to help settle wind is with over-the-counter medications. Amcal stock gentle relief to soothe wind, ease cramps, and reduce bloating. Shop these products for adults and children:

• Charcotabs tablets
• Prunelax gel
• Dulcogas sachets
• Coloxyl Infant Drops
• Movicol Junior powder sachets.