Jan. 20, 2022 | Despite what some people may tell you, everyone has it. It’s a topic that many find difficult to discuss, but we all have gas in our intestinal tract. It may be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it is not life-threatening. Gas can contribute to a sense of bloating and abdominal cramps. These symptoms are usually brief and are resolved once the gas is released by belching or flatulence. Most people produce about one to four pints of gas a day and pass gas about 14 times a day. Most gas is made up of odorless vapors, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. Bacteria in the large intestine release gases that contain sulfur and produce an unpleasant odor of flatulence. Gas which accumulates in the right upper portion of the colon can lead to pain which might seem like gallbladder pain. Gas which accumulates in the left upper portion of the colon can radiate all the way up to the chest and can feel like cardiac pain.

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Jan. 20, 2022 | Burping is normal, particularly during or right after a meal. Most people pass gas up to 20 times a day. Therefore, while having gas may be inconvenient or embarrassing, burping and passing gas are rarely by themselves a sign of a medical problem. That being said, you should talk to your doctor if your gas or gas pains are so persistent or severe that they interfere with your ability to function well in daily life. Your doctor may ask you to keep a diary of the foods and drinks you consume and when your gas symptoms occur. Your diary may show specific foods and drinks that are causing gas. Reviewing your diary may also help your doctor find out if you have excess gas or are more sensitive to normal amounts of gas. Gas or gas pains accompanied by other symptoms may indicate more serious conditions. Consult with a medical professional if you experience gas pain along with weight loss, constipation, diarrhea and recurring nausea or vomiting.

Jan. 20, 2022 | Any specific treatment of intestinal gas will be determined by your physician based on your age and overall health. The physician will also take into consideration the extent of the condition, your tolerance for certain medications or procedures and any expectations for the course of the condition. Changes to your eating and drinking habits or diet will likely be recommended. For example, your doctor suggest eating smaller, more frequent meals or consuming less of the foods and drinks that increase your gas symptoms. Many non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines are available to help reduce the symptoms of intestinal gas. For those who have chronic belching, your doctor may suggest ways to reduce the amount of air swallowed. They may recommend that you avoid chewing gum and eating hard candy. Eating at a slower pace and checking with a dentist to make sure your dentures fit you properly should also be taken into consideration.

Jan. 20, 2022 | People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the sugar, or lactose, in milk. As a result, they have diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products. The condition, which is also called lactose malabsorption, is usually harmless, but its symptoms can be uncomfortable. Too little of an enzyme produced in your small intestine, lactase, is usually responsible for lactose intolerance. You can have low levels of lactase and still be able to digest milk products. But if your levels are too low, you become lactose intolerant, leading to gas or nausea after you eat or drink dairy. Most people with lactose intolerance can manage the condition without having to give up all dairy foods. Eating less food with lactose, or using pills or drops to help you digest lactose usually helps. You may need a calcium supplement if you don’t get enough of it from your diet, since milk and foods made with it are a common source of calcium for most people.