What Are the Causes of Excessive Intestinal Gas & Bloating?

According to the National Library of Medicine, fermentation in the intestinal tract produces gases as bacteria break down food. Excess gas and painful bloating may develop with dietary changes and in the presence of disease or food sensitivities.

Sensitivities

• Gluten rich food aggravates celiac disease and causes intestinal bloating. Sensitivities to lactose, fructose and sorbitol also contribute to bloating as sugars may encourage more fermentation.

Diet

• Poorly digested foods, like beans, cauliflower and cabbage are high in fiber and pass from the small intestines to the colon, undigested. The bacteria in the small intestine produce gas in a struggle to digest the fiber, then the colon's bacteria keep producing gas until the undigested fiber leaves the body.

Medications

• Opioid medications and muscle relaxers slow the digestive tract, creating constipation. Bloating and gas increase as stool builds up, distends the intestine and hardens. Some medications also suppress digestive enzymes so easily digested foods remain undigested as they pass into the colon.

Fiber

• Fiber (roughage) helps the digestive tract but a sudden rise in fiber can cause bloating and abdominal pain. Adding fiber gradually gives the intestines time to adjust.

Inflammation

• Crohn's disease inflames the intestines. The repeated ulceration and healing cycles narrow the intestinal tract and disrupt digestion. Intestinal gas and bloating gets worse as the disease progresses.