Trapped gas is caused primarily by swallowing air and the production of gas in the intestines during digestion. Swallowing more air than usual happens from activities like chewing gum, drinking carbonated beverages, eating or drinking quickly, smoking, or wearing loose dentures. If this swallowed air does not escape by belching, it moves into the intestines and can get trapped, causing discomfort.
Additionally, certain foods and drinks contribute to excessive gas production in the intestines. These include high-fiber foods such as beans, vegetables (like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower), whole grains, dairy products containing lactose, sugar substitutes like sorbitol or xylitol, and carbonated drinks. These foods contain carbohydrates that are not fully digested in the small intestine, so bacteria in the large intestine break them down, producing gas as a byproduct. When this gas builds up and does not pass easily, it results in trapped gas.
Underlying digestive conditions can also cause increased gas production or trapping. These include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, constipation, celiac disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders. Such conditions can lead to either excessive gas formation or impaired passage of gas.
In summary, trapped gas results from a combination of swallowed air that doesn't escape and gas produced by intestinal bacteria digesting certain foods, worsened in some cases by digestive health conditions.
