Keto Means
Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava Pexels Logo Photo: Dziana Hasanbekava

What causes lots of gas and loose stools?

Excess gas is often a symptom of chronic intestinal conditions, such as diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Small bowel bacterial overgrowth. An increase or change in the bacteria in the small intestine can cause excess gas, diarrhea and weight loss.

Why are my ketones low after fasting?
Why are my ketones low after fasting?

After fasting or following a very low carbohydrate diet for some time, the body is deprived of glucose and insulin levels are lowered, which forces...

Read More »
Do onions turn to sugar in your body?
Do onions turn to sugar in your body?

A 100 gram serving of red onions contains about 8 grams of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates metabolise soon, which results in fast release of sugar in...

Read More »

Overview

Gas in your digestive system is part of the normal process of digestion. Getting rid of excess gas, either by burping or passing gas (flatus), also is normal. Gas pain may occur if gas is trapped or not moving well through your digestive system. An increase in gas or gas pain may result from eating foods that are more likely to produce gas. Often, relatively simple changes in eating habits can lessen bothersome gas. Certain digestive system disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease, may cause — in addition to other signs and symptoms — an increase in gas or gas pain.

Symptoms

Signs or symptoms of gas or gas pains include:

Burping

Passing gas

Pain, cramps or a knotted feeling in your abdomen

A feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (bloating)

An observable increase in the size of your abdomen (distention)

Burping is normal, particularly during or right after a meal. Most people pass gas up to 20 times a day. Therefore, while having gas may be inconvenient or embarrassing, burping and passing gas are rarely by themselves a sign of a medical problem.

When to see a doctor

Talk to your doctor if your gas or gas pains are so persistent or severe that they interfere with your ability to function well in daily life. Gas or gas pains accompanied by other signs or symptoms may indicate more-serious conditions. See your doctor if you experience any of these additional signs or symptoms:

Bloody stools

Change in consistency of stools

Change in frequency of bowel movements

Weight loss

Constipation or diarrhea

Persistent or recurrent nausea or vomiting

Seek immediate care if you experience:

Prolonged abdominal pain

Chest pain

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive your in-depth guide to digestive health, plus the latest on health innovations and news. You can unsubscribe at any time. Email address ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

Causes

What sandwich spread is good for diet?
What sandwich spread is good for diet?

1. Hummus. Made from chickpeas, sesame seeds and olive oil, hummus is rich in protein and good fats and is also extremely flavourful. You can layer...

Read More »
Are raw cucumbers good for you?
Are raw cucumbers good for you?

Nutrients. Cucumbers are packed with them. In just a single cup of cucumber slices, you'll get 14% to 19% of the vitamin K you need for the day....

Read More »

Gas in your stomach is primarily caused by swallowing air when you eat or drink. Most stomach gas is released when you burp. Gas forms in your large intestine (colon) when bacteria ferment carbohydrates — fiber, some starches and some sugars — that aren't digested in your small intestine. Bacteria also consume some of that gas, but the remaining gas is released when you pass gas from your anus.

Common foods that cause gas

Certain high-fiber foods may cause gas, including:

Beans and peas (legumes)

Fruits

Vegetables

Whole grains

While high-fiber foods increase gas production, fiber is essential for keeping your digestive tract in good working order and regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Other dietary factors

Other dietary factors that can contribute to increased gas in the digestive system include the following:

Carbonated beverages, such as soda and beer, increase stomach gas.

such as soda and beer, increase stomach gas. Eating habits, such as eating too quickly, drinking through a straw, chewing gum, sucking on candies or talking while chewing results in swallowing more air. such as eating too quickly, drinking through a straw, chewing gum, sucking on candies or talking while chewing results in swallowing more air. Fiber supplements containing psyllium, such as Metamucil, may increase colon gas. containing psyllium, such as Metamucil, may increase colon gas. Sugar substitutes, or artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol, found in some sugar-free foods and beverages may cause excess colon gas.

Medical conditions

Medical conditions that may increase intestinal gas, bloating or gas pain include the following:

What should I eat if I am still hungry after dinner?
What should I eat if I am still hungry after dinner?

If you don't find yourself feeling full during or immediately after a meal, try incorporating more foods that are high in volume but low in...

Read More »
What does soaking shrimp in milk do?
What does soaking shrimp in milk do?

To remove the flavor or taste out of the shrimp or fish you bought, soak it in milk for about a half hour before cooking.

Read More »
Can you live to be 300 years old?
Can you live to be 300 years old?

The oldest person who ever lived reached age 122, but research indicates humans could live longer. After people hit 108, they have a 50% chance of...

Read More »
Do cucumbers raise blood sugar?
Do cucumbers raise blood sugar?

A. Cucumbers are not known to spike blood sugar levels due to the minimal amounts of sugar and low-calorie count. In addition, they are not energy...

Read More »