A person with bloating may notice that their tummy looks bigger than usual. They may also experience a feeling of fullness, tension, or discomfort in the abdomen. So we wonder can stomach gas affect breathing?
However, sometimes stomach gas can affect the movement of the muscles that separate the abdomen from the chest.
Continue reading for more information on the connection between stomach gas and shortness of breath.
Table of Contents
Are stomach gas and shortness of breath related?
Stomach gas and shortness of breath can occur independently of each other. However, sometimes these two symptoms can occur together.
Stomach Gas can affect the diaphragm and cause shortness of breath. The up and down movements of the diaphragm allow a person to breathe.
However, when the abdomen is bloated, it can put pressure on the diaphragm, preventing it from moving. Therefore, This can make breathing difficult.
However, conditions that affect lung capacity can cause swelling in the abdomen. For instance, conditions include cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Read Also: Can No Sleep Cause Stomach Pain And Other Problems?
What can cause both symptoms?
Stomach Gas and shortness of breath can occur together for several reasons. Some are benign, while others can be more serious.
What are the Benign causes and can stomach gas affect breathing?
3 benign causes of stomach gas and shortness of breath include:
Overeating; A person may experience bloating after overeating. This bloating can then put pressure on the diaphragm, causing the person to experience shortness of breath.
Some foods and ingredients; Certain foods and ingredients can cause excessive stomach gas formation. However, excess gas can cause pressure on the diaphragm.
Also, Some foods and ingredients that can cause or contribute to excessive gas include; carbonated drinks and artificial sweeteners.
Pregnancy; A woman may undergo stomach gas and nausea during pregnancy. Mild breathing difficulties may also occur at the end of the second trimester or during the third trimester, when the growing fetus may press on the woman’s diaphragm.
Underlying medical causes; Sometimes stomach gas and shortness of breath can occur due to one of the following medical conditions. Some of the conditions are more dangerous than others:
- obesity
- food intolerances
- irritable bowel syndrome
- celiac disease
- gallstones
- hernia
- fluid in the abdomen or ascites
- pancreatic insufficiency
- panic disorder
- anxiety disorder
- hyperventilation
- excessive air swallowing or aerophagia
- cystic fibrosis
- COPD
- peripheral neuropathy
- Legionnaires’ disease
- polio
- ovarian cancer
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
People with underlying health conditions may experience additional symptoms.
Some symptoms that can accompany breathing problems include:
- cough
- wheezing
- excessive mucus
- headedness
- fatigue
- Some common symptoms that can accompany bloating include:
- indigestion
- belching
- flatulence
- abdominal pain
- constipation or diarrhea
- mucus in the stool
Many conditions can cause both stomach gas and shortness of breath. People who are unsure of the cause of these symptoms should consult their doctor as soon as possible.
Can stomach gas affect breathing?
Sometimes stomach gas and shortness of breath occur due to certain food choices or overeating. In cases like, the signs usually disappear once the food passes the digestive system.
If stomach gas and shortness of breath do not go away within a day, one should consult a doctor.
A person should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms along with stomach gas and shortness of breath; severe abdominal pain, vomiting that lasts more than a day, loss of control over bladder or bowel movements, dark, bloody, or tarry stools.
What causes stomach gas and shortness of breath after eating?
Shortness of breath after eating can be an unpleasant or stressful experience but is usually nothing to worry about. Possible causes include food allergies, inhalation of food particles, and acid reflux.
However, There are many possible reasons why a person may feel short of breath after eating. Treatment varies depending on the cause.
Does Inhalation of food particles can cause shortness of breath?
Sometimes people can inhale small particles of food or liquid while eating. This is called pulmonary aspiration.
Coughing can cause a temporary shortness of breath and possibly a sore throat.
When a person’s lungs cannot clear the particles, a person can develop aspiration pneumonia.
Symptoms of aspiration pneumonia include:
- pain in the chest
- wheezing
- stuffiness
- cough producing foul-smelling, green, or bloody mucus
- unpleasant smell from the breath
- difficulty swallowing
- fever
- Excessive sweating
- fatigue
Treatment for aspiration pneumonia depends on the person’s overall health and the severity of their condition. However, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Some reasons to these situations are relatively harmless, while others can be more serious.
In such cases, the symptoms usually subside once the person has digested the food.
A person should see their doctor if they experience persistent or recurring abdominal bloating and shortness of breath. Therefore, This may signal an underlying medical condition that requires medical treatment.