Occasional Gas
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Bloating, gassiness, and abdominal discomfort aren’t limited to the occasional holiday feast. One in 10 Americans say they suffer from bloating regularly, even when they haven’t eaten a large meal. In most situations, occasional gas and abdominal discomfort does not require medical attention. Over- the-counter products, or a self-assessment of habits and changes in eating behaviors can help remedy the situation. However, you should seek medical attention when there is an increase in frequency, location or severity of the symptoms, or if.
Michael F. Roizenº, MD, is a four-time #1 New York Times best-selling author and co-founder and originator of the popular RealAge.com. He is board-certified in anesthesiology and internal medicine, and resides as chief wellness officer of the Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, he is the chief medical consultant to The Dr. Oz Show. Dr. Roizen is providing this information for educational purposes, and encourages you to still seek advice from your physician regarding these issues.
There’s no need to suffer through the uncomfortable symptoms of gas and bloating. Get to the root of your problems, naturally, so you can get back to enjoying life. Fast-acting formula Helps break down beans, cabbage, broccoli and other. Alleviates occasional heartburn caused by low stomach acid. Soothes stomach. Occasional gas and bloating are often the result of poor digestion. The complex carbohydrates in foods such as beans, cabbage and broccoli are difficult for the body to break down. When not broken down, these foods begin to ferment, producing gas. BeanAssist™ contains the enzyme Alpha Galactosidase, which breaks down complex carbohydrates into sugars that are naturally easier to digest.
From common things like lactose intolerance, dehydration, big meals, antibiotic exposure (in food and medicines) and air swallowing (not just with popcorn and bubble gum), to rare things like too much fiber at once, celiac disease and gallbladder dysfunction, we have all been exposed to conditions or situations that cause occasional bloating and gas. In fact, there are more than 100 causes that exist, but I’d like to explain the facts behind some of these more common reasons and how they can be addressed.
Main Contributors to Occasional Gas and Bloating
You have two main sources that power nature’s rear-propulsion system. Gas is a result of the air you swallow and the digestion of foods by bacteria in your intestine. These bacteria love digesting sugars, fiber, or milk (if you’re lactose deficient). The result is gas made up of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane. Your foods dictate whether your small intestine feels mild annoyance (occasional bloating), anger (occasional gas), stubbornness (occasional constipation), or all-out temper tantrums (occasional diarrhea). Swallowing air can be reduced by avoiding cigarettes, gum, and carbonated beverages, and by eating and drinking more slowly.
As to the main cause of occasional gas and bloating, it can be that your intestines lack enzymes to metabolize specific foods like milk or grains or beans. When that happens, the food remains undigested, so you start feeding your intestines’ ravenous bacteria. The result—lots of intestinal dilation and occasionally more gas than a Hummer fuel tank. The most common of these is lactose intolerance and a close second is an allergy to gluten from wheat. As an example, when you lack the enzyme lactase (which may happen more as you get older), the lactose sugar in the milk reaching your intestine is not metabolized, so it produces a lot of gas when presented to your intestinal bacteria, which metabolize the lactose in your intestines. You don’t feel so good either. A solution? Speak to your doctor about these possibilities and if you should adjust your diet to avoid lactose and/or gluten.
What’s That Smell?
For those of you who stay up wondering, here’s the reason why your occasional gas may smell and other people’s may not: Think of your body as a refrigerator. If you let food sit in there, it’s going to smell after a while. In your body, sulfur-rich foods like eggs, meat, beer, beans and cauliflower are decomposed by bacteria and release hydrogen sulfide—a very potent smell. Avoiding these foods may seem like the ideal solution but not always the realistic one. When stinky gas persists occasionally because of these foods, the best solutions are leafy green vegetables and some strains of probiotics, which work like baking soda in your fridge to reduce odor.
You usually produce the same amount of gas a day as your friends, so passing gas occasionally is really nothing to be ashamed of, unless it happens during your wedding vows. But while the amount may be the same, some of us sense discomfort from that occasional gas more than others do.
Reducing Occasional Gas and Bloating
I know of a few approaches that can help you and your gut. The first is to try to avoid the foods that don’t react well with your digestive tract, the other—and I use it regularly every day—is to take a supplement to support your digestive health. I take a daily probiotic that seems to help me decrease occasional gas and bloating.
Natalie Egan, MS, RD, LDN
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Previously published on Intelihealth.com
We all have gas. Yet, we're embarrassed to mention it to health-care providers and friends in social conversation. Ten percent to 20 percent of adults have the digestive complaints of belching or flatulence. Here's the good news: bloating or gas doesn't necessarily mean there is something wrong with digestion. But to minimize gas and its embarrassment, the first areas to focus on are diet and eating habits.
The Passing Of Gas
The three most common ways of expelling gas are burping, abdominal bloating, and flatus. Swallowed air, which may stay in the stomach for a period of time, is released by belching. Bloating typically occurs with air that is trapped in the colon or small bowel. Air passed through the bowel is typically passed as flatus. A normal individual emits flatus from 12 to 25 times per day, with more gas in the intestine later in the day than earlier.
Intestinal gas is made up of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. The composition varies depending on the type of intestinal gas. Gas is caused by various factors, the most common of which are eating behaviors and the bacterial fermentation of certain foods.
Bacterial Fermentation
The colon is filled with bacteria, yeasts and fungi, which break down the foods not digested by the small intestine, mostly different forms of carbohydrates. These bacteria particularly enjoy undigested carbohydrates, and the fermentation leads to gas production, hydrogen and methane expelled as flatus. Lactose is one of the most common sources of gas-causing carbohydrate, affecting people who are 'lactose intolerant,' meaning they do not have the enzyme lactase needed to digest the carbohydrate. Typically, lactose is found in dairy products. Beans are the second most common carbohydrate implicated in gas production. The indigestible carbohydrate in beans that typically causes flatus is raffinose.
Behaviors, Food Choices And Activity
Eating behaviors and other habits such as gum chewing, gulping foods and drinking with eating can cause us to swallow air. Bulky foods such as lettuce, cabbage, and dense breads not chewed into small enough pieces increase swallowed air.
Typically, swallowed air contains oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. It tends to not have a foul smell, but it does contribute to the discomfort associated with gas.
People vary widely in how sensitive they are to gas production. Keeping a food record to document incidences of gas in relation to foods eaten can shed light on whether food or behavior may be aggravating the situation.
Behaviors And Food Choices That Can Lead To Gas
Behaviors
- Talking while eating
- Eating when upset
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Using a straw or sports bottle
- Overloading your stomach
- Deep sighing
- Drinking very hot or cold beverages
- Chewing gum or eating hard candy
- Drinking from a water fountain
- Tight-fitting garments
- Long-term use of medications for relief of cold symptoms
Foods
- Carbonated beverages
- Spicy, fried or fatty foods
- Broccoli, cabbage, onions
- Beans
- Apple or prune juice
- Dried fruits
- Anything containing sorbitol, mannitol or maltitol, found in many low-carb or sugar-free foods
Beat The Bloat
Bloating is a sensation that makes the abdomen feel larger than normal. The abdomen doesn't get physically bigger until its volume increases by one quart, so the bloated feeling may occur, but the abdomen is not distended. Intestinal gas may cause the feeling of bloating.
Here are additional suggestions to decrease bloating:
- Eat slowly, and consume smaller, more frequent meals
- Chew your foods well
- Drink beverages at room temperature
- Have your dentures checked for a good fit
- Increase physical activity during the day
- Sit up straight after eating
- Take a stroll after eating
It is important not to completely omit foods from the diet that may cause gas. As we know, a high-fiber diet is important for bowel regularity and colon health, so it is well worth the patience it may take to slowly build up tolerance to these types of carbohydrates. Start by adding the offending high-fiber food in smaller quantities, such as a half cup or less. Be sure that fluid intake and activity levels are adequate, as they help to move foods through the digestive tract.
Natural And Other Remedies For Gas
Many advertisements tout medications or remedies that reduce gas and bloating. Some have been shown to be of value in clinical studies, others have not yet been proven scientifically but are anecdotally helpful. Before trying anything, you may want to consult with your physician.
Two products on the market can help with food-related gas and bloating. Both products are packaged forms of the enzymes needed to break down the problematic carbohydrates. Lactase, found in products such as Dairy Ease and Lactaid, can be taken with dairy foods to help break down lactose and lessen gas. Beano helps digest the indigestible carbohydrate in beans and other gas-producing vegetables.
Natural remedies for gas include:
Occasional Gas Smell From Furnace
- Peppermint tea
- Chamomile tea
- Anise
- Caraway
- Coriander
- Fennel
- Turmeric
Over-the-counter gas remedies include:
- Pepto-Bismol
- Activated charcoal
- Simethicone
- Lactase enzyme (Lactaid or Dairy Ease)
- Beano
When To Be Concerned
Occasional Gas Smell In Mini Cooper
In most situations, occasional gas and abdominal discomfort does not require medical attention. Over- the-counter products, or a self-assessment of habits and changes in eating behaviors can help remedy the situation. However, you should seek medical attention when there is an increase in frequency, location or severity of the symptoms, or if they are accompanied by weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting or heartburn.