Thousands of people suffer from bloating, gas and flatulence which can be a source of great discomfort and embarrassment; some can cope with it and some find it limits their ability to function.

On average an adult expels between 200ml and 2 litres of gas each day.  Gas can be triggered by excess air in the stomach, which can be expelled by a belch, or bacteria in the gut, which triggers wind.  Most causes of wind are benign but if bloating in women is persistent and doesn’t vary throughout the day, she should get it checked out by her GP to rule out a gynaecological issue.

To avoid excess air in the tummy, Dr Anton Emmanuel, consultant gastroenterologist at University College Hospital, London, suggests drinking water after meals rather than during them as we swallow air whilst consuming fluids, slowing down whilst eating and taking at least 20 minutes to eat the meal.  Other causes include intense exercise, being anxious and too much dairy.