Gas can get trapped in your chest as a result of problems in your digestive system. This causes sharp pain in your chest. Normally, gas can accumulate in your stomach and make you feel bloated. This causes pain in your abdomen and it can also make you feel uneasy in the chest. Since your heart is closer to left side of your chest, pain caused by gas build up in the chest can be associated with heart problems.

Gas Pains in Chest – Causes

Several factors are responsible for buildup of gas in your chest such as

Eating food rich in fiber: Consuming food with sufficient fiber is good because it cleans your large intestine. However, too much of it can cause high amounts of gas to be formed.

Normally, bacteria in your digestive system break down and metabolize fiber leading to gas being formed. This can is supposed to be expelled through your anus.  Sometimes this gas is produced in excess and can be trapped in your intestines as well as in the chest.

Eating particular foods can increase the amount of gas produced in your intestines. These foods include beans, cabbage, fructose and sorbitol. People who eat a lot of fruits and vegetable can also have excess gas.

Swallowing air: People usually swallow little quantities of air when drinking or eating. Nevertheless, some individuals instinctively swallow large quantities of air while they are smoking or eating.

Too much salivation, which occurs as a result of gastroesophageal reflux, nausea, chewing gum and certain drugs, can amplify swallowing of air.

Most swallowed air is removed through your mouth and very little passes through your digestive system. The little amount of air that is not passed through your stomach can get trapped in your chest.

Food Intolerance: Some people are intolerant to certain foods such as dairy products. These people do not have the enzymes needed to break down dairy products. This leads to increased production of gas, bloating, nausea and diarrhea. Other people may be intolerant to gluten, a protein found in wheat.

Carbonated drinks: Drinking too much sodas can lead to gas accumulating in your intestines.  Soda itself has bubbly characteristics because of carbonation gas in it.

Irritable Bowel syndrome: This is a condition that affects your large intestine. It can cause too much gas, bloating and abdominal pain.

Symptoms

Individuals with gas in the chest may exhibit the following signs and symptoms:

• They may feel pain in their chest. People with gas in chest may experience weight loss. They may also have blood in their stool.

Diagnosis

Your doctor can evaluate gas in your chest by asking you the symptoms and medical history. This will be followed by a physical examination to find out the cause of the problem.

Your doctor may focus on identifying the cause of swallowing air especially the food you eat. You will also tell your doctor the color and consistency of your bowel. Your doctor may also find out if you have lost weight.

Testing is not usually needed unless there are other symptoms that may indicate another medical condition as the cause.

 Gas in chest  – Treatment

Treating gas in your chest in not easy but there are measures you can take to reduce gas. These measures include:

• Eat food slowly when you are relaxed can help reduce gas buildup in your intestines.
• Avoid chewing gum
• Stay away from carbonated drinks such as soda.
• Avoid foods that are likely to cause gas. Try to eliminate these foods one at a time. Start by getting rid of foods such as cabbage and beans that are hard to digest. Then eliminate dairy products and milk, followed by fresh fruits and other vegetables.
• You can include roughage to your diet to boost bowel movement. But excess roughage can worsen the symptoms for some people.

Medications: Your doctor can prescribe antacid to treat indigestion.

Home remedies for gas pains in chest

You can use simple home remedies to ease the symptoms of gas in your chest and prevent the side effects of using over the counter drugs. The following are some of the home remedies you can use:

• Baking soda: Mix some baking soda with water and drink it to reduce excess gas.
• Apple cider vinegar: This can be used to ease pain in your chest and assist in digestion. Take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and mix it with water and drink it.
• Cardamom and cumin: They are effective in reducing pain in your chest caused by gas. Boil cardamom and cumin in water and drink as tea.
• Peppermint tea: This form of herbal tea is effective in eliminating too much gas in your digestive system. Peppermint can also be used in getting rid of bacterial in your digestive system that causes digestive issues. Put fresh leaves of peppermint in boiling water and cover it for about 10 minutes. Drink this tea thrice a day to help alleviate gas build up in your chest.
• Exercise: Keep yourself physically active to boost your overall health as well as help you eliminate gas buildup in your chest.