A stomach bubble refers specifically to air being trapped inside your digestive tract and causing gas or bloating. The first thing to understand is that the word “bubble” has a lot of different meanings. What is a Stomach Bubble?
Stomach Bubbles form when undigested material accumulates in the colon. This can be caused by eating too much food, drinking alcohol in excessive amounts, or taking certain medications. It’s also possible for people who have an underactive thyroid gland to experience this problem as well.
So, why does it feel like bubbles popping in my stomach? Probably, when gases expand due to heat, pressure, or other causes.
In the case of digestion, the gas bubbles may occur if undigested material remains in the intestine after meals. If this happens frequently, then the body will try to expel the excess gas through burping, belching, flatulence, or vomiting.
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Bubbles in Stomach Symptoms
Gas bubbles usually pass out of the body without any problems. Sometimes there is a popping feeling on the right side of the abdomen which could also lead to a bubble feeling in the upper stomach.
Moreover, you may also sense a popping feeling on the left side of your stomach. On the other hand, they remain in the intestine and cause abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or even severe pain.
How Bubbles Form Inside the Stomach?
A bubbling feeling in the stomach occurs because of the expansion of gases within the intestinal walls. When the intestines become distended with gas, the bubbles push against each other until they burst. Gas-filled bubbles move from the stomach into the small bowel where they may cause pain and discomfort.
Stomach popping feeling could be caused by anything from overeating, overuse of laxatives, excessive consumption of caffeine, smoking cigarettes, consuming large amounts of alcohol, having a gallbladder infection, or simply not getting enough fiber in our diet.
Gas-forming bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide which combines with oxygen to create sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid dissolves calcium carbonate in the colon wall, allowing the gas to escape. As the gas escapes, it pushes the lining outward creating a bubble.
Causes of Feels Like Bubbles Popping in My Stomach
There are several reasons that make the stomach feels like bubbles popping and increases the likelihood of producing farts. Let’s check the factors that may make you comlain of having bubbles in your stomach.
Eating Spicy Foods
Stomach popping and gurgling may occur by eating spicy foods stimulate the production of gastric juices, which increases the amount of acid present in the system. This makes it easier for the gas to come up.
Drinking Beer/Wine
Alcohol stimulates the release of acetylcholine. It relaxes the muscles of the GI tract and leads to stomach gurgling and popping. Relaxed muscle tissue allows gas to travel faster down the esophagus and into the stomach.
Eating Fatty Foods
Fatty foods tend to stick around longer in the gut, making them harder to digest. Consuming foods like cheese, milk products, fried foods, greasy meats can worsen the symptoms. They also slow down peristalsis, which helps keep gas moving along.
Taking Antacids
Antacid drugs neutralize acids produced during digestion. However, the neutralizing chemicals simply add into the system sometimes and make excess gas instead of letting them go.
Having a Low-Fiber Diet
Fiber slows down the movement of nutrients through the digestive tract. It keeps everything there long enough to get digested properly. Without adequate fiber intake, the contents of the stomach stay put for longer periods of time. That’s when gas tends to build up. And you start having bubbling feeling in stomach.
Being Overweight
Have you ever heard from an obese individual that “I can feel gas bubbles popping in my stomach”?
Excess weight puts pressure on the abdomen, causing gases trapped inside the intestines to expand, leading to feeling like bubbles popping in the stomach. The same thing happens if you gain too much fluid. Furthermore, you may find Keto diet helpful in this context.
How to Deal With Feels Like Bubbles Popping in My Stomach
There are few medicines that can ease the gas popping inside the stomach. However, if you are not comfortable with the drugs, we have some home remedies for you too.
Loperamide
It treats diarrhea. Loperamide works by slowing intestinal motility and reducing the secretion of fluids. Unfortunately, loperamide has been known to exacerbate gas buildup as well.
Cimetidine
It is an antihistamine that reduces histamines levels in the bloodstream. Histamines play a role in triggering inflammation and irritation. By lowering their level, cimetidine should reduce the frequency with which you feel bloated or gassy.
However, it’s not recommended for children younger than 12 years old. So, be sure to check with your doctor before trying it for that bubble feeling in upper stomach of your kids.
Natural Remedies
Herbal teas such as peppermint and fennel seed tea have proven helpful in alleviating gas issues. You might consider adding either of these two herbs to your daily routine.
How to Prevent Stomach Bubbles Popping
Getting rid of bubbles popping inside the stomach is easy. But preventing them is easier if you follow some easy steps. Let me explain how easy they are:
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Water helps keep everything moving smoothly through your system. It also flushes harmful toxins out of your colon which reduces gas buildup.
Smaller Meal Size
Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. Eating small portions every few hours keeps food moving along efficiently without leaving behind pockets of undigested material.
Eat Healthy Diet
Avoid eating foods high in fiber content. Fiber slows down transit time in the gut making it easier for gas to accumulate. Try foods rich in soluble dietary fibers such as applesauce, prunes, figs, raisins, bananas, dates, oats, beans, peas, lentils. Read what does a healthy diet consist of?
Minimize Caffeine
Reduce intake of caffeine-containing beverages. Caffeine stimulates intestinal contractions leading to increased gas formation. Coffee, cola, chocolate, energy drinks, and soda pop all contain varying levels of caffeine.
Timely Workout
If possible, try not to exercise right after eating. Exercise increases blood flow to the GI tract which may cause additional gas to form. Try exercising 30 minutes before or 2-3 hours after meals instead to avoid that bubble popping feeling.
Probiotics
Take probiotics regularly. Probiotic supplements provide beneficial bacteria to aid in maintaining healthy digestion. They’re available over the counter as pills, powders, liquids, capsules, tablets, and even frozen yogurts.
Essential Oils
Use essential oils to treat gas. Essential oils are concentrated extracts made from plants. Some common ones used to combat gas are eucalyptus, rosemary, cinnamon leaf, thyme, and especially oregano essential oil. You can use them topically, internally, or inhale steam distilled vapors. Be sure to dilute essential oils before internal consumption.
Practice Yoga
Yoga promotes flexibility and strength while relaxing tense muscles. The poses practiced in yoga encourage deep breathing which further aids in reducing gas production.
Eat Slowly
Eating quickly increases acidity levels in the stomach causing more frequent bouts of gas. Slow down! Chew food thoroughly so that it takes longer to digest.
Don’t Eat Within 3 Hours of Bedtime
Sleeping reduces intestinal motility. As a result, less movement occurs through the small intestine leading to fewer opportunities for gas to be produced. At this point, you can read this article regarding how long should you wait after eating to sleep?
Gas Bubbles & Pregnancy
Pregnant women often experience bloating due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. This is normal but if you feel like there’s an excessive amount of pressure on your abdomen then see a doctor immediately. In some cases, excess gas can lead to nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, indigestion, heartburn, backache, and leg cramps.
Feels Like Bubbles Popping in My Stomach Pregnancy
Pregnant women often complain that it feels like bubbles popping in their stomach early in pregnancy and gas bubbles popping in their stomach, however, there is nothing to worry about as it is quite common during pregnancy.
Baby Moves
Your growing child can cause contractions, especially during sleep. It feels similar to menstrual cramping. Most women also complain about this feeling during early pregnancy. But they pass these contractions on their own after 20 weeks of gestation.
Phantoms Kicks
It’s normal for a new mom to say that my stomach feels like bubbles are popping and feel bloated. Your uterus shrinks during labor and then expands again when you start feeding your baby or it may be gas bubbles popping in your stomach. Such sensation in the absence of pregnancy is also known as phantom kicks.
Bubbles Popping During Last Trimester
Yes, it’s common for pregnant women to experience a little bit of abdominal pressure and stomach sounds like bubbles popping during their third trimester. The reason: Your uterus grows larger and pushes outward toward your belly button.
It may feel like there’s an ache when you lie on your side. You might even hear a “pop” sound when you cough or sneeze. If these symptoms persist beyond 3-6 weeks after your due date, see your doctor. He’ll likely recommend bed rest until labor begins.
How Long Does Gas Last?
Gas in stomach lasts anywhere from several hours to a few days depending upon what caused it. The longer the gas remains inside the digestive tract, the greater its potential to irritate sensitive areas like the esophagus and rectum.
This discomfort can lead to heartburn, indigestion, constipation, and/or diarrhea.
Are All Types of Gas Equally Painful?
No. Some gases are much worse than others. Carbon dioxide is extremely irritating when inhaled into the lungs. Because it doesn’t dissolve readily in water, carbonated drinks tend to produce large volumes of CO2 gas. As a result, drinking too many sodas can actually trigger headaches.
Similarly, methane gas produced during digestion tends to linger around the intestines where it can build up quickly causing intense cramps.
Why Do Some People Get Gas While Others Don’t?
Many factors involved include diet, lifestyle habits, stress, age, gender, weight, etc. Most importantly, genetics plays a major part in determining whether someone gets frequent bouts of gas.
People who inherit genes that predispose them to produce extra gas are likely to suffer from chronic gastrointestinal distress throughout life.
Conclusion
To sum up, knowing the reason behind bubbles popping in my stomach could definitely bring calmness and reduce anxiety. It can be caused by various factors with the most common ones being overweight and consuming spicy food, however, using various preventive tips, medications and herbal remedies if required can significantly reduce this feeling like bubbles popping in the stomach.
The FAQs About Gas Bubbles Popping in Stomach
Why are bubbles popping in my stomach?
Bubble formation isn’t dangerous, air bubbles popping in the stomach do indicate that gas has built up within your digestive tract. This could mean that you’ve eaten too much food, or that something else is causing intestinal blockage. For example, constipation caused by pregnancy hormones or childbirth can lead to bubble accumulation. So can eating certain types of food. Bubble production usually stops once you give birth.
How do I get rid of the bubbly feeling in my stomach?
If you have frequent bouts of gas and bubble popping sound in your stomach, consider cutting back on foods that trigger bloating. Avoiding spicy foods, fatty meats, and fried foods will help reduce gas production. Try drinking more water throughout the day instead of coffee or soda.
What is meant by the bubbling feeling in my stomach?
The term “bubbles” refers to small amounts of air trapped in your intestine. They don’t pose a threat unless they’re large enough to create discomfort. Symptoms include belching, burping, flatulence, heartburn, gurgling sounds while chewing, indigestion, rumbling noises, vomiting, windy feelings, and weight gain.
Can you feel gas bubbles pop in your stomach?
Yes, sometimes they do. Gas builds up inside our intestines and causes bloating around your middle. Fortunately, gas passes through your intestinal tract within minutes. If left untreated, it could lead to constipation or diarrhea. Consider drinking more water. This will flush food particles out of your system faster.
How can I stop this from happening again?
The best way to prevent future episodes of feels like bubbles popping in my stomach is to avoid eating spicy food, drinking alcohol, taking antacids, and eating high-fat meals. If you find that you still experience frequent bouts of flatulence after following these guidelines, then consult your physician.
