Ostomy Bag Gas: Tips to Minimize Pouch Ballooning

Living with an ostomy comes with its own set of adjustments. One of the most common challenges people face is gas build-up in the ostomy pouch, often called ballooning. While it might feel uncomfortable or embarrassing at times, it’s completely normal. Gas in your ostomy bag happens for the same reasons it does in anyone’s digestive system: the foods you eat, how you eat them, and how your body naturally processes nutrients. However, there are some adjustments to ostomy care you can do to help minimize pouch ballooning. Here, we'll cover details regarding what causes ostomy gas and how to reduce the risk of buildups.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What ballooning is and why gas builds up in an ostomy pouch
• Common problems caused by excess gas including discomfort and the risk of leaks
• The main causes of ostomy gas; from digestion and trigger foods to eating habits and swallowed air
• Why gas tends to increase at night and how to reduce ballooning while you sleep
• Practical ways to prevent gas build-up, such as adjusting diet, eating habits, hydration, stress management, and exercise
• How ostomy supplies like filtered pouches and odor-control products can help manage gas
• When to seek medical advice if gas becomes excessive or persistent

What is Ballooning?

Ballooning is a term that's often used to describe instances when gas builds up in an ostomy pouch. Although many one-piece and two-piece pouches have filters to help let the gas out, ballooning may still occur if you experience more gas than usual. It can also happen if the filter is wet or blocked from the stoma output.

Common Problems Caused by Ostomy Gas

While gas is a normal part of everyone's digestive system, ballooning can lead to a few complications. Since the gas can inflate the stoma bag, it can actually cause discomfort in ostomates. The increased air puts more pressure on the different components of the pouch, which may pull or tug at the peristomal skin. Additionally, if the amount of gas is excessive, it may cause the bag to detach from the body. This is commonly referred to as a "blowout" and can be messy. Depending on where it occurs, it may also cause a bit of embarrassment. Luckily, there are options to help handle gas, especially for those with a colostomy or ileostomy.

What Causes Gas Build-Up in an Ostomy Pouch?

To understand how to minimize ostomy odors and gas, it's essential to know what causes them in the first place. While everyone is different and may have different triggers, a few of the following can cause extra gas in a pouching system.

Digestive Process and Gas Production

Everyone produces gas as a natural part of digestion. When your body breaks down certain foods, it releases gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen. Without an ostomy, these gases typically pass through the rectum. With an ostomy, however, they have only one place to go, into your pouch. When not controlled or released, ballooning occurs. Gas is natural, so it's more important to focus on how to allow the gas to escape rather than eliminating it altogether.

Foods and Drinks That Cause Ostomy Gas

Food is one of the biggest culprits of gas production. As you're likely familiar with, some foods and beverages are more likely to trigger excess gas than others. Again, everyone is different, but some of the most common foods and drinks that cause gas include:

• Beans and lentils
• Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables
• High fiber fruits like apples and pears
• Onions and garlic
• Drinking carbonated beverages and alcohol (especially beer)
• Dairy products (especially if you’re lactose intolerant)

While you don’t have to cut these foods out entirely, it helps to be aware of how your body reacts to them and make sure your pouch can release air after consuming them.

Swallowed Air and Eating Habits

It’s not just about what you eat, it’s also about how you eat. Swallowing excess air while eating or drinking can contribute to more gas in your pouch. This often happens when you:

• Eat too quickly
• Chew gum
• Drink through a straw
• Talk while eating

Nighttime Gas in Ostomy Bags

Many people notice that their pouch fills with gas more at night. This is often due to the body continuing to digest food while you sleep, combined with lying down for several hours without emptying the pouch. A bedtime routine that includes emptying your pouch can help reduce nighttime ballooning, but you may also want to experiment with your nighttime meals to find options that won't strain your digestive system.

How to Prevent Gas Build-Up in an Ostomy Pouch

You can't completely stop your body from producing gas, but there are ways to help minimize the build-up in your pouching system. Try utilizing a few of the following techniques, and if you continue to have issues, talk to your doctor or ostomy nurse.

Adjust Your Diet

Since eating habits are one of the primary causes of gas and bloating, try making a few adjustments. Keep a food diary for a few weeks where you write down everything you eat, along with any symptoms that occur afterward. This will give you a chance to identify specific trigger foods, which you can then limit or avoid to help with gas. When creating an entry, also include how the food was prepared. Some people find that cooking gas-producing foods (steaming vegetables or soaking beans thoroughly before cooking) can help ease digestion.

Adjust Your Eating Habits

Once you've prepared your food, also be mindful of how you consume it. Try to make minor adjustments and be cautious when you're sitting down for a meal. Chewing your food thoroughly and being completely present at meal times has several other benefits as well, so it's worth giving it a try.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration affects ostomies in several ways, especially regarding stoma output and blockages. Therefore, drinking plenty of water can support healthy digestion and may help reduce odor-causing gas. Staying hydrated can also help keep stool consistency more manageable, which is especially helpful for people with an ileostomy.

Manage Stress

Even stress can affect how your body digests food, which can sometimes cause bloating and gas. Incorporating regular relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation, may help reduce the impact of stress on your body. However, if you're unable to address feelings of anxiety, it's best to talk with a medical professional. Chronic stress can put a lot of strain on the body, so finding healthy ways to manage it is essential.

Exercise Regularly

Moving your body is another great way to help minimize excessive gas, as exercise helps support digestion and minimizes bloating. When you start exercising with an ostomy, just make sure to talk to your doctor beforehand, and try to take some precautions to help keep your stoma safe and reduce further discomfort. While ostomates can engage in any physical activity they enjoy, there are a few measures to take to make sure things are done safely and without the risk of pouching problems.

Use Ostomy Supplies Designed for Gas Control

Several different types of bags are focused on gas management as an ostomate. Some pouches have built-in charcoal filters that allow gas to escape slowly while neutralizing odors, while others have mechanisms to help reduce the risk of a clog. Several odor-eliminating products can be added to your bag to help neutralize stool smell.

If you use a pouch that doesn't have a filter, you can also choose to "burp" the system. This is best done in the bathroom, as it will release the smell of the gas, but it isn't necessarily required. On a two-piece system, you need to lift the edge of the pouch away from the flange to help the gas escape, or through the drain end of the bag. If you're worried about doing this in public, experiment at home a few times or talk to your ostomy nurse.

When to Talk to a Doctor About Ostomy Gas

If you continue to experience excessive gas, it's important to seek medical advice from a healthcare professional to rule out more serious, underlying causes. You can also ask your doctor or ostomy nurse for recommendations on products, such as ostomy bag filters, that will help reduce the risk of blowouts from ballooning.

Best Ostomy Supplies for Gas and Odor Control

Dealing with gas in an ostomy pouch can be uncomfortable, but it’s something you can manage with the right approach. And if ballooning does happen, knowing how to release gas safely helps you stay in control and avoid unnecessary stress. Regardless, the right supplies can go a long way toward making your life easier. Byram Healthcare carries a full range of ostomy products that help keep you comfortable and confident. You can order everything you need online, delivered right to your door. Start your order or contact us today to learn more.