There is no shame in asking, “Why am I so gassy in the morning?” Experiencing gas in the morning is a common experience. There are several factors that can contribute to it, many of which are not serious and easy to resolve naturally.

In this article, we will explore eight common causes of excess morning gas, and provide suggestions for alleviating morning bloating and gas. You will understand which causes are the result of normal hormonal shifts, which can be remedied with dietary adjustments, and which may warrant the attention of a medical professional.

Why Am I So Gassy In The Morning?

You Are Taking Certain Medications

Excess gas can be a side effect of medications such as antibiotics, fiber supplements, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Antibiotics which kill bacteria, can kill the good bacteria along with the bad. This alteration to the gut microbiota can cause gastrointestinal distress. In contrast, fiber supplements increase beneficial bacteria in the gut, but can also cause temporary gastrointestinal symptoms, such as gas.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to cause gastric ulcers or bleeding. This disruption in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to other digestive disturbances. While experiencing morning gas may be unpleasant, do not change or stop any medication that you’re taking without consulting your doctor first.

You Have A Gut Condition Or Infection

A variety of gut microbiome irregularities can lead to excess gas. Some gut conditions that can produce gas include lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and constipation.

You’re Getting Your Period

The endocrine and digestive systems are highly responsive to one another. It is not uncommon for women to experience gas before their period and other changes in their bowel habits during various stages of their menstrual cycle.

A few days before bleeding, the uterus produces prostaglandins, chemicals that stimulate the uterine muscles to contract which allows it to shed its lining. If prostaglandins end up outside the uterus, they can have similar contracting and shedding effects on the bowels, leading to changes in bowel movements and gas production.

Hormonal shifts in women are often behind excessive gas, not only during menses but during pregnancy, as well. The increased progesterone during pregnancy can cause intestinal muscles to relax, leading to more gas.

You Don’t Drink Enough Water

If you wonder, why am I so gassy first thing in the morning as opposed to during the day, it may be due to dehydration that can happen overnight. Not drinking enough water during the day can lead to dehydration, which can cause constipation and gas. While we sleep, we can become even more dehydrated, which is why first thing in the morning, our bodies crave water.

Increasing fluids during the day can prevent dehydration, constipation, and gas and improve overall gastrointestinal function.

You Ate Gassy Foods The Night Before

You may wonder, why am I always so gassy in the morning? It may have something to do with what you ate the night before. Cruciferous vegetables with a high fiber content are common culprits. However, an individual’s specific food sensitivities will dictate what is gassy for them.

For example, people with celiac disease must avoid gluten because exposure to gluten can cause a host of gastrointestinal symptoms. Those with lactose intolerance should avoid lactose-containing foods, as consuming lactose can cause them to produce more gas.

If you are not sure what foods are causing gas, it may be helpful to keep a food diary.

You Have An Underlying Medical Condition

Gas can be a symptom of almost any gastrointestinal disorder, whether it is celiac disease,  irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. However, there can be other, coexisting conditions or bodily processes that may contribute to morning gas, such as thyroid disorders that alter metabolism or elevated cortisol patterns that disrupt sleep patterns.

Everyone has a cortisol awakening response, the natural elevation of cortisol that happens in the morning as part of our circadian rhythm. In healthy individuals, the cortisol awakening response should increase cortisol levels within one hour of waking and should fall between 10 and 20 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).

However, when cortisol levels rise higher and quicker than normal, as in the case for some individuals with IBS, this can lead to further symptoms and disturbances in the digestive system, such as excessive gas.

You’re Swallowing Too Much Air

You can breathe in air even while you’re eating. If you swallow too much air, it can cause gas to build up inside the body. A way to prevent abdominal bloating is to slow down when you eat, chew your food well, and avoid carbonated beverages.

You’re Sleeping In The Wrong Position

Sleeping positions can either help or inhibit digestion while sleeping. For example, sleeping on your left side is gravitationally more advantageous for acid reflux, whereas sleeping with your body in an outstretched position can encourage air to move out of the body for overnight gas relief.

What Can You Do To Decrease Morning Gas? 

You can also take digestive enzymes or natural gas relievers, such as peppermint or fennel tea. Reducing stress can regulate your cortisol awakening response so that cortisol levels rise to within normal ranges in the mornings but this can take some time. In extreme cases of chronic bloating, a doctor may prescribe medication or test for any underlying medical conditions.

Conclusion

Gas can build up in the body for a variety of reasons. Due to the timing of sleep and digestion, it’s common to feel gassy first thing in the morning. This may be due to what you ate the night before, elevated cortisol levels, improper sleeping positions, hormone activity, or dehydration.

In most cases, gas can be easily remedied at home, however, if you have chronic bloating and gas, alert your medical provider.