Chronic trapped wind

Trapped wind or intestinal gas might be caused by swallowed air during eating, the release of gas from the fermentation of undigested food, the accumulation of gas after an acid-alkali reaction or, in some cases, the release of gas from the blood stream into the intestines. Some emotional disturbances can also lead to trapped wind. Persistent trapped wind can be caused by some chronic health problems, like lactose intolerance, celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome.Causes

Food is a common cause of trapped wind. How fast we eat, and also what we eat can have an influence in the onset of the problem. Some foods are more liable than others to cause trapped wind. Many of these foods are nutritious and healthy and should not be cut out of the diet merely because they can cause trapped wind. Some of these foods include beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, dried fruits, nuts, onions and peas. Most of these foods are rich in cellulose and protein, and digestion of these items can lead to excess gas production. If you eat too late or too rarely, this can also cause problems with trapped wind.

Carbonated beverage consumption can lead to trapped wind. These drinks contain a large amount of gas, which escapes and gets trapped in the bowels. Drinks that are high in sugar can also lead to bloating.

Swallowing too much air is another possible cause of trapped wind. It is quite common for air swallowing to cause trapped wind in a baby. Babies tend to gulp in large amounts of air as they are feeding and drinking. This also occurs when the baby is sucking a pacifier or dummy. Similar situations can occur in adults. If we eat our food too quickly or swallow too much, we might also gulp in large amounts of air. Excess swallowing of air can also occur when we are nervous.

Constipation can also create an environment in which wind can be produced by the intestinal bacteria. This wind can then be easily trapped in the intestinal tract.

Amazingly, our clothes might also play a part in developing trapped wind. If we wear our trousers or skirts too tight, this may negatively affect the air circulation within the digestive tract. Try to wear loose fitting clothing.

There are some conditions that can cause a long term onset of trapped wind. Included in these conditions are irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, chronic constipation, volvulous and gallbladder diseases.