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Q: I’ve been feeling very gassy and bloated lately. Is there something I can do to prevent or treat this feeling?

A: The feeling of being “gassy” or bloated is common for many adults. It can happen after a large meal, or seemingly without reason.

Stomach gas is formed as a normal part of the digestive process. But there could be other reasons for feeling like you have extra gas. Reasons for feeling gassy or bloated are:

Swallowing extra air. A small amount of air is taken in with each swallow and a larger amount of air is swallowed when food is gulped. Air swallowing can also happen when chewing gum or through smoking.

Eating too much. If you eat beyond the point of feeling full, you may feel bloated.

Certain foods. We know that beans and high fiber foods such as bread, oats and whole grains are common culprits for causing gas. Others include peas, pistachios, cashews, lentils, barley, onions, garlic and artichokes — to name a few.

Some fruits such as apples, pears, watermelon, mangoes and cherries can cause gas as well. Certain artificial sweeteners also can cause bloating, so look out for them on food labels.

Lactose intolerance. If you are lactose intolerant, dairy products such as milk, yogurt or cheese can give you gas. This is because your body doesn’t have enough of the enzyme required to break down the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy products, which then produces gas.

Not moving enough. If you are not active enough, your body will digest food more slowly. This may lead to more fluid retention or gas and cause bloating.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent feeling gassy or to treat it after you feel bloated. The first thing you can try is to avoid things that cause you gas. For example:

Stop chewing gum or smoking. This will reduce taking in extra air.

Eat smaller portions. Controlling the portion size and eating slowly can help reduce gas. So go slow and enjoy your meals!

Avoid certain foods. Steer clear of foods that you know cause you gas. Skip the dairy. There are alternatives to dairy products that do not contain lactose.

Move your body. Getting some exercise, even some slow walking, can stimulate your body to digest food and fluids.

If needed, there are over-the-counter (OTC) medications you can take to prevent or relieve gas.

If you’re expecting to eat a good-sized meal or foods that will cause you gas, taking an OTC medication such as Beano before you eat can help prevent gas from forming because it contains an enzyme to help break down the food.

If you are feeling bloated after eating, an OTC medication such as Gas-X (simethicone) that helps break down the gas in the stomach can be used.

If you have tried the above steps and still don’t find relief from feeling gassy or bloated, talk to your healthcare provider to rule out other causes.

Gihun Kim is a fourth-year Pharm.D. student at VCU School of Pharmacy. He studied biology at the University of Washington in Seattle and theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Cal. He hopes to practice clinically as an ambulatory-care pharmacist.