09 Sep When Is Excessive Gas at Night a Sign of a Digestive Problem?
Most people pass gas throughout the day, and it is completely normal. In fact, gas is simply part of the digestive process. We swallow small amounts of air when we eat, drink, talk, or chew gum, while bacteria in the large intestine produce gas as they break down certain foods. For some people, though, gas seems to become much more noticeable at night. You may finish dinner, settle into bed, and suddenly feel bloated, uncomfortable, or unusually gassy. Sometimes it happens after a particularly heavy meal. Other times, it seems to happen for no obvious reason. If it is an occasional problem, there is usually little cause for concern. But when excessive gas at night becomes frequent, painful, or disruptive, it may be worth looking more closely at what is happening in your digestive system. For more detail on what causes nighttime gas and bloating and practical strategies for reducing it, additional guidance is available from digestive health specialists. According to the NIADD National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, passing gas 13 to 21 times per day is considered normal, and most gas-related discomfort is related to diet, eating habits, or an underlying digestive condition rather than anything serious.
[caption id="attachment_75930" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo by Kindel Media[/caption]