Trapped wind and heartburn – what’s the connection?
We’ve all felt gassy and bloated at some point in our lives.
And some of us may have felt the burning sensation and discomfort of heartburn alongside.
But can the two be connected?
We explore these symptoms of indigestion and whether one can be caused by the other or whether there could be something else behind these uncomfortable, digestive double-ups.
What is trapped wind?
Wind is made up of five digestive gases in our guts – methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen.2
Excess wind in our stomachs, which is often caused by swallowing air when we eat, usually comes out naturally through burping.2
Any air in the bowel passes out along with digestive gases, known as flatulence or breaking wind.2
While we can all be a bit embarrassed by these bodily actions, they’re perfectly normal and EVERYONE has wind to one degree or another.2
For some people it’s normal to break wind up to 15 times a day and we can burp between 20 and 30 times a day.2
As well as swallowing air, excess gas can be caused by certain foods such as pears, onions and green vegetables4 and fizzy drinks.3
It can also be caused by digestion issues such as constipation, irritable bowel disease or a food intolerance.4
How are trapped wind and heartburn linked?
Trapped wind occurs when excess gas builds up in the gut.3
This can lead to discomfort, bloating and your stomach feeling full or make your stomach feel bigger than usual.3
Heartburn is caused by stomach acid – known as acid reflux – which escapes upwards through the valve connecting the stomach and oesophagus (the food pipe) towards the throat.5
Acid reflux is often caused by lifestyle factors like diet – including spicy and fatty food or drinks such as coffee and alcohol – being overweight, smoking or stress and anxiety.5
Trapped wind and heartburn – both linked to indigestion – have different causes so while they usually happen independently, they can occur simultaneously too.1/4
Acid reflux can make you feel bloated alongside other symptoms including hiccups and feeling sick.5
Symptoms of trapped wind and heartburn
Although trapped wind is common, it can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful.3
Symptoms include:3
- Bloating and stomach discomfort
- A feeling of fullness
- Burping or passing wind more frequently
- A rumbling or noisy stomach
Heartburn – which many of us get every now and again – is typically a burning sensation in the middle of the chest and symptoms can appear or get worse after eating or when lying down.5
You may also experience:5
- Hiccups
- Bloating
- Feeling sick
- An unpleasant sour taste
- Bad breath
How to relieve trapped wind and heartburn
Excess wind and bloating can be caused by what you eat and other lifestyle factors so some simple changes can make a difference.3
To help release trapped wind, try massaging your stomach from right to left.3
Here are a few tips to help reduce the chances of getting trapped wind:3
- Regular exercise can help to improve digestion – it can help to relieve bloating too.
- Avoid drinking too much caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks – don’t use straws as this can increase the air you swallow2.
- Close your mouth when you chew, chew every mouthful well and don’t rush eating meals.2
- Keep yourself hydrated with water.
- Cut down on gas-producing foods such as beans.
- Try to cut down on processed and food high fat, sugar or spice.
Cutting down or avoiding spicy and fatty food and reducing alcohol and caffeine intake can also help to manage heartburn as well as:5
- Instead of three large meals a day, opt for smaller more frequent meals.5
- Try not to eat within three to four hours of going to bed.5
- Raising your head and shoulders in bed can help to stop stomach acid from rising while you sleep.1
If lifestyle changes aren’t helping to relieve your heartburn and trapped wind, speak to your pharmacist about over the counter remedies to ease the symptoms and discomfort.1/3/5
Bisodol contains three antacids, a unique triple action formula (calcium carbonate, light magnesium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate) which works to quickly relieve the symptoms of indigestion, trapped wind and heartburn.
Final thoughts
Trapped wind and heartburn are both symptoms of indigestion.1
While one doesn’t cause the other, symptoms can be similar and there are instances such as eating too much too quickly or drinking fizzy drinks and alcohol – triggers for both conditions – can cause them to occur at the same time.4
By understanding the causes better and the lifestyle changes you can make to lessen the chances of them occurring, you can help to improve your digestive health.
Bisodol Indigestion Relief Tablets are for the relief of the symptoms of gastric hyperacidity, variously called indigestion, heartburn, dyspepsia and flatulence. Always read the label.
