. . . the more you eat the more you toot . . . the more you toot the better you feel . . . so eat your beans with every meal!" Well, I don't know about beans for every meal, but they may have a point, about the feeling better, that is.
Gas is a natural by-product of human digestion, but uncomfortable (and embarrassing amounts) are usually the result of indigestible sugars and carbohydrates, the digestion of which requires certain enzymes that the human body just isn't equipped with. Lucky for you, there are steps you can take to return your intestines to normal working oder and get rid of all that gas.
Dealing with Gas and Gas Pain
Over the counter gas medication is an effective way to get rid of gas. Products like Bean-O, Gas-X, and, Flatulex are designed to provide your body with enzymes to break down the indigestable sugars and carbohydrates that cause bloating and gas build-up in your intestines. Taking these medications as directed, usually with the foods that give you gas, should help you get rid of gas.
Large amounts of fiber can cause gas. Cutting out fiber from your diet isn't the answer, but you can use a food journal to monitor your diet to find out if certain foods or kinds of fiber cause more gas than others. Often foods like beans, root vegetables, cabbages, prunes, and wheat and whey products will be the culprit, as they contain a type of sugar that cannot be digested. To get rid of gas, spread your intake of these foods out -- don't eat all your daily fiber at once and eat ony a little of the offending foods at a time.
Lactose intolerance can cause gas, so monitor your dairy intake with a food journal. If you regularly get gas after eating milk or milk products chances are you're lactose intolerant, which just means that your body has a difficult time digesting milk sugar (or lactose), leaving it for the bacteria in your intestines to feet on and ferment, causing gas (as with fiber). To get rid of gas drink lactose free milk and cut as much dairy from your diet as you can.
Take steps to avoid swallowing excess air, which causes a build-up of gas in the stomach and, eventually, the small and large intestines. Excess swallowed air is caused by frequent swallowing from stress and post-nasal drip, smoking, chewing gum, and carbonated drinks. Cutting down on these habits can also get rid of your gas.
Reduce your intake of fatty foods to get rid of gas. Excess fat delays stomach emptying, delaying the natural release of gas and causing a buildup of gases, along with bloating and abdominal pain. Eating less fatty foods will reduce your gas--and it won't hurt your overall health either.
Medical Treatment for Gastrointestinal Disorders
If you have gas with all the uncomfortable symptoms, like bloating and cramps and irregular bowel movements, and you have it on a very regular basis with little improvement from the treatments suggested above, you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is basically intestinal malfunctioning that disrupts and prevents normal digestive bowel movements. Symptoms can include gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea -- all accompanied by pain and discomfort. Consult a doctor to diagnose IBS and begin a treatment regimine.
