Gas can be embarrassing, noisy, smelly - and perfectly normal. Most of us pass gas anywhere from 13 to 21 times a day. There are two main gas-related complaints: excessive burping and excessive flatus, each of which has a number of causes.
Excessive burping
Burping results from swallowed air or from gas generated by consuming carbonated drinks. We all unknowingly swallow a little bit of air while eating or drinking. The amount of swallowed air increases if you eat or drink rapidly, don't chew your food completely, chew gum, drink through a straw, suck on candies or smoke cigarettes, among other things. Most of the swallowed air escapes through your mouth as a burp. A small amount, however, makes it to the intestines. Once there, it is either absorbed by the small intestine or makes its way to the large intestine to be released through the rectum (and we all know what results).
Excessive flatus
Your food is normally digested in your small intestine, but the small intestine cannot fully digest some carbohydrates, such as sugars, starches and fiber. These undigested carbohydrates make their way into your large intestine, where they are broken down by bacteria. These bacteria may produce odorless gas such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide, or smelly gas such as sulfur. This gas is then passed out through the rectum. Several types of foods are known for producing gas, such as certain types of fruits, vegetables, beans, carbonated beverages and some wheat products. Many lactose intolerant people, who have insufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase in their small intestine, develop gas after consuming milk products. Everyone, however, experiences naturally declining levels of lactase throughout the course of their lives.
So when does your "gas problem" need medical attention? Although most cases of gas are normal, more than the usual 13 to 21 passes of gas per day on a regular basis can be very bothersome and can also indicate a serious disorder. Some serious signs to look out for include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss and blood in stool.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. After reviewing your diet and symptoms, your doctor will most likely be able to determine a cause. If the diagnosis is more obscure, he or she may suggest a sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy or upper gastrointestinal procedures to determine if you have a serious disorder.
Otherwise, here are some easy ways to reduce the amount of gas you pass:\n
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- Eat and drink slowly - this will reduce the amount of air you swallow. \n
- Avoid sucking on candies and chewing gum. \n
- Identify and reduce intake of foods that cause gas for you. \n
- Probiotics, found in many yogurts, may help reduce bloating and flatulence by regulating intestinal bacterial flora. \n
- If dairy products cause your gas, try taking lactase supplements before consuming lactose products. You can also try lactose-reduced milk. \n
- Try taking Beano before you eat. Beano is an over-the-counter digestive aid that contains an enzyme that helps the small intestine digest the carbohydrates in beans and vegetables. This will reduce the amount of carbohydrates that make it to the bacteria in your large intestine. \n
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