It could be many things. It could be from slouching or sitting in a way that is causing the diaphragm to be compressed. Do not try to over straighten, just think of relaxing the muscles and allowing yourself to fall into a natural position. It could be injury from working out and doing crunches or other movements. It could be a stomach ulcer.
Another option is to blanch green beans quickly. Blanch your green beans by boiling them for 3 or 4 minutes. This removes the skin of your green beans. You want your beans to be somewhat tender, yet have a little bit of crispness to them. Determine the crispness, by how long you boil them.
Cook for approximately 25 minutes. Check to see if the beans are tender, then spice the beans. Let them simmer another 20 to 30 minutes. The main decision for when to stop boiling green beans is when you decide they are tender enough for you.