That sharp, stabbing sensation under your ribs isn't always something scary, but it sure feels like it. You’re sitting there, maybe at dinner or trying to sleep, and suddenly it hits—a pressure so intense you can't even stand up straight. It’s bloating. It’s pressure. It’s that desperate need to figure out how to get rid of trapped gas in the stomach before you lose your mind.
Honestly, it’s embarrassing to talk about, but everybody deals with it. Gas is just a byproduct of digestion. You swallow air when you eat too fast, or your gut bacteria throw a party while breaking down that fiber-heavy salad you had for lunch. But when that gas gets stuck in a loop of your intestines or sits heavy in your stomach, it becomes more than a nuisance. It becomes painful.
The physics of the "Bubble"
Think of your digestive tract as a long, winding garden hose. If a big bubble of air gets trapped in a kink of that hose, nothing moves. This is exactly what’s happening inside you. Your diaphragm might feel pushed up, making it hard to take a deep breath. You might even feel "referred pain" in your chest or shoulders, which often sends people spiraling into a Google search about heart attacks.
Most of the time, it’s just air.
Moving your body is the fastest fix
If you want to know how to get rid of trapped gas in the stomach right this second, stop sitting still. Gravity and movement are your best friends. When you sit slumped on a couch, you’re essentially crimping the hose.
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A brisk walk is the gold standard. The rhythmic movement of your legs and torso helps stimulate peristalsis—the muscle contractions that move things through your gut. If you can’t go outside, try some specific yoga poses. The "Wind-Relieving Pose" (Pavanamuktasana) isn't named that for a joke; laying on your back and pulling your knees to your chest literally compresses the abdomen to force gas toward the exit. Another one is the "Child’s Pose." By kneeling and folding forward, you’re changing the internal pressure of your abdominal cavity.
Sometimes, just lying on your left side can change everything. The stomach is shaped like a "J." When you lay on your left, you’re allowing gravity to help waste move from the small intestine into the large intestine and eventually out. It’s basic anatomy.
What to drink (and what to avoid like the plague)
People often reach for ginger ale when their stomach hurts. Stop. The "ale" part is carbonated, meaning you are literally pumping more gas into a system that is already over-pressurized. It’s like trying to put out a fire with gasoline.
Instead, go for warm liquids. Warmth relaxes the smooth muscles of the gut. Peppermint tea is the heavy hitter here. It contains menthol, which has an antispasmodic effect. However, a quick warning: if your "gas" is actually acid reflux, peppermint can make it worse by relaxing the esophageal sphincter. If that's the case, stick to ginger tea or fennel seeds. Fennel is an old-school remedy that actually has some legs. Chewing on half a teaspoon of fennel seeds after a meal is a common practice in India for a reason—it contains compounds that reduce inflammation and help the bowels relax.
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The OTC Cabinet: Simethicone and beyond
If the natural stuff isn't cutting it, you probably need chemistry. Simethicone (found in brands like Gas-X or Mylanta) is the most common recommendation. It doesn't actually make the gas vanish into thin air. Instead, it acts as a surfactant. Basically, it breaks up tiny, stubborn gas bubbles into larger ones that are much easier for your body to pass. It’s effective, but it won't work if the problem is constipation-related.
If you’re bloated because you’re backed up, no amount of Gas-X will help. You need to clear the pipes.
Why is this happening to you anyway?
You might be a "gulp eater." If you inhale your food in five minutes, you’re swallowing huge amounts of atmospheric air. This is called aerophagia.
Then there’s the FODMAP factor. Scientists at Monash University have done incredible work identifying Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. These are short-chain carbohydrates that the small intestine doesn't absorb well. They sit there and ferment. Think onions, garlic, beans, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli. They are healthy, sure, but they are gas factories. If you find yourself constantly searching for how to get rid of trapped gas in the stomach, you might want to track if these specific foods are the trigger.
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When it’s actually something else
We have to be real here: sometimes gas isn't just gas. If the pain is accompanied by a fever, bloody stools, or unintended weight loss, get off the internet and call a doctor. Conditions like SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), Celiac disease, or Giardia can mimic standard gas pain but require actual medical intervention.
Even stress plays a role. Your gut is lined with neurons—the enteric nervous system. When you're stressed, your gut slows down or spasms. This traps air. Sometimes the best way to "de-gas" is actually to take ten deep, diaphragmatic breaths to flip your nervous system from "fight or flight" to "rest and digest."
Tactical steps for immediate relief
- The Heat Method: Place a heating pad or a hot water bottle on your belly. The heat increases blood flow and relaxes the cramped muscles holding the gas captive.
- The Massage: Start at the lower right side of your abdomen (near the hip bone). Rub in a circular motion, moving up toward the ribs, across to the left side, and down toward the left hip. This follows the path of your colon.
- The Baking Soda Trick: Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. It’s an old-school antacid that can trigger a massive burp, releasing pressure instantly. Don't do this all the time, though, as it's high in sodium.
- The Deep Squat: If your joints allow it, a deep "malasana" squat opens the pelvic floor and aligns the rectum for easier passage of gas.
Long-term prevention is the real goal
Stop using straws. Seriously. Straws force you to swallow the air at the top of the tube before the liquid hits your mouth. Switch to smaller meals. When you gorge, your stomach struggles to churn the food efficiently, leading to stagnation and—you guessed it—gas.
Also, look at your "sugar-free" habits. Sorbitol and xylitol, found in sugar-free gums and candies, are notorious for causing explosive gas and bloating. Your body cannot digest them, so the bacteria in your gut go to town on them, producing hydrogen and methane gas as a byproduct.
Actionable Next Steps
To truly manage and eliminate that bloated feeling, start with these three moves immediately:
- Perform the "ILU" Massage: Use firm pressure to massage your abdomen in the shape of an "I," then an "L," then a "U" to manually guide gas through the large intestine.
- Take a 15-Minute Walk: Do not lay down immediately after eating. Stay upright and keep the legs moving to encourage gastric emptying.
- Audit Your Fiber: If you recently started eating more fiber, scale back. You have to "low and slow" your way into a high-fiber diet to give your microbiome time to adjust.
Getting rid of trapped gas isn't a one-size-fits-all process. Sometimes you just have to wait for your body to do its job, but by using movement, heat, and the right herbs, you can usually cut the misery short.