What Causes Gas, Bloating and Severe Heartburn?
Gas, bloating and severe heartburn can cause problems separately. The conditions become painful and debilitating when experienced at the same time, especially if symptoms occur frequently. Gas, bloating and heartburn often develop from similar causes that people can address, reduce or eliminate to bring about relief. Underlying problems may also cause symptoms. Doctors can evaluate and pinpoint those problems for treatment to reduce or eradicate the conditions.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Foods
Eating fatty foods can cause bloating because the fat delays emptying of the stomach, MayoClinic.com notes. A sensation of fullness follows. Fatty or fried foods may also bring on increased episodes of heartburn. Drinking carbonated beverages can cause gas, bloating and severe heartburn. Citrus fruits may cause heartburn. Fruits, including apples, peaches and pears, can lead to gas and bloating. Gas that does not exit the body through belching or flatulence builds up in the stomach to result in bloating. Chewing gum frequently can increase episodes of gas because of swallowing too much air. Eating hard candy also contributes to the gas process from excessive air swallowing. Foods containing carbohydrates cause gas and bloating and increase the risk of severe heartburn; foods may include:
- baked beans
- cabbage
- lettuce
- cauliflower
- broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Eating fatty foods can cause bloating because the fat delays emptying of the stomach, MayoClinic.com notes.
- Drinking carbonated beverages can cause gas, bloating and severe heartburn.
Lifestyle Experiences
Causes of Excess Stomach Acid
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Stress and anxiety can increase bouts of gas, bloating and heartburn. Being overweight of obese triggers heartburn, according to FamilyDoctor.org 2. Lack of activity also contributes to gas and bloating. Exercise, especially after eating, may reduce episodes of gas. Eating slowly helps reduce bouts of gas and bloating and also reduces the risk of heartburn. Eating during stressful periods or when hurrying from one place to another interferes with digestion to increase episodes of gas, bloating and heartburn. Smoking also contributes to stomach and esophageal difficulties. It interferes with the production of saliva and increases the swallowing of excess air to cause gas and heartburn. Smoking also relaxes muscles in the esophagus to promote heartburn.
- Stress and anxiety can increase bouts of gas, bloating and heartburn.
- Eating slowly helps reduce bouts of gas and bloating and also reduces the risk of heartburn.
Health Disorders
Certain medical conditions can cause gas, bloating and severe heartburn. A gastrointestinal infection or blockage produces gas and bloating 1. Irritable bowel syndrome causes abdominal pain or cramping, bowel problems, gas and bloating. Conditions called celiac disease and lactose intolerance interfere with absorption of certain food contents during the digestive process, causing gas and bloating. Digestive problems also result in frequent heartburn that can become severe. Changes to intestinal bacteria because of certain medications or constipation increase the risk of gas. Peptic ulcers, hiatal hernia and gastritis may cause heartburn.
- Certain medical conditions can cause gas, bloating and severe heartburn.
Related Articles
References
- MayoClinic.com: Bloating, Belching and Intestinal Gas: How to Avoid Them
- FamilyDoctor.org: Heartburn
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. 10 tips to prevent reflux disease. 2013.
- Harvard Medical School. Gastroesophageal reflux: More than just heartburn. 2014.
- Harvard Medical School. Take control of your heartburn.
- Monajemzadeh M, Haghi-ashtiani MT, Soleymani R, et al. Is there any association between passive smoking and esophagitis in pediatrics?. Iran J Pediatr. 2013;23(2):194-8.
- TeensHealth from Nemours. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Updated January, 2015.
- Cleveland Clinic. GERD (chronic acid reflux): Prevention. Updated December 6, 2019.
- Harvard Medical School. 11 stomach-soothing steps for heartburn.
- American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Diet and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 2014.
- Harvard Medical School. What to eat when you have chronic heartburn. Updated October 22, 2019.
- Liszt KI, Ley JP, Lieder B, et al. Caffeine induces gastric acid secretion via bitter taste signaling in gastric parietal cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2017;114(30):E6260-E6269. doi:0.1073/pnas.1703728114
- Chen SH, Wang JW, Li YM. Is alcohol consumption associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease?. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2010;11(6):423-8. doi:10.1631/jzus.B1000013
- Singh M, Lee J, Gupta N, et al. Weight loss can lead to resolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms: a prospective intervention trial. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2013;21(2):284-90.
- National Institute of Diabetes Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of GER & GERD. Updated November 2014.
- Harvard Medical School. 8 ways to quell the fire of heartburn.
- Mendes-filho AM, Moraes-filho JP, Nasi A, et al. Influence of exercise testing in gastroesophageal reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2014;27(1):3-8. doi:10.1590/S0102-67202014000100002
- Cleveland Clinic. Why does your heartburn always seem worse at night?. August 17, 2017.
- Cleveland Clinic. GERD (chronic acid reflux). Updated December 6, 2019.
- Allampati S, Lopez R, Thota PN, Ray M, Birgisson S, Gabbard SL. Use of a positional therapy device significantly improves nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Diseases of the Esophagus. 2016. doi:10.1111/dote.12495.
- Ness-Jensen E, Hveem K, El-Serag H, Lagergren J. Lifestyle intervention in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology : The Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. 2016;14(2):175-182.e3. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2015.04.176
Writer Bio
Jerry Shaw writes for Spice Marketing and LinkBlaze Marketing. His articles have appeared in Gannett and American Media Inc. publications. He is the author of "The Complete Guide to Trust and Estate Management" from Atlantic Publishing.