Nature's Insights

Trapped Wind In The Chest

Trapped wind in the chest may sound unusual, and can be very uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but it’s usually nothing to be concerned about. Here are the causes of chest pain caused by wind and the symptoms you may experience.

How to know if you have trapped wind in your chest

The feeling of trapped wind in the chest is often described as a tightness or discomfort in the chest area, sometimes moving to the abdomen.

Symptoms can vary depending on the cause, but may include:

• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Burping
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea

 

Possible causes of trapped wind in the chest

Heartburn

A type of indigestion that usually feels sharp and causes a burning sensation in the chest which is caused by stomach acid coming up into the esophagus.

A Food Intolerance

When a person lacks the enzymes needed to break down some foods, this disrupts the digestive system causing extra gas to be produced resulting in bloating, abdominal pain and excessive gas. Lactose and gluten intolerances are the most common food intolerances.

Food poisoning

After eating contaminated food, some people experience chest pain alongside other symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Fizzy drinks

The fizz in carbonated drinks or sparkling water is provided by the carbon dioxide gas they contain. Too much carbon dioxide in the digestive tract gas can cause discomfort due to excess gas building up in the lower digestive system, or burp if the build-up occurs in the stomach.

Swallowing Air

When we eat and drink, we swallow air which can get trapped in the digestive system. Similar to fizzy drinks, swallowing a lot of air can lead to a build-up in the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause discomfort and pain in the chest and abdomen area.

A diet high in fibre

Fibre may stay in the gut for longer than other food components so is broken down by bacteria which produce excess gas. When eaten in moderation, fibre can be good for the digestive system.

 

How to treat trapped wind in the chest

Trapped wind in the chest can be relieved at home, so we’ve compiled these useful tips that you can try in addition to avoiding common triggers such as greasy foods and carbonated drinks:

Drink warm liquids

Try drinking warm water or herbal teas to try and ease the pain or discomfort, this may move excess gas through the digestive system, relieving the buildup.

Ginger

Ginger root is a traditional way of relieving digestive issues. For example, you could eat a small bit of the root or you could make a ginger tea.

Exercise

You could try going for a walk or jog, as this may relieve some pressure and discomfort felt in the digestive system and release the gas.

Peppermint

Peppermint has soothing and cooling properties which may help to eliminate digestive discomfort and help with indigestion and flatulence. Try drinking peppermint tea or taking peppermint oil capsules if you experience trapped wind pain in your chest.