Intestinal Gas Relief

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Mister Private knows that gas can be painful. Not the type you get from the pump at the station.

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How To Relieve Intestinal Gas Pains

Mister Private knows that gas can be painful. Not the type you get from the pump at the station. Even I can’t alleviate that agony—money doesn’t grow on trees. I’m talking about intestinal gas; that mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane and stank. Passing gas (or “farting,” as it is commonly referred to as) in public marks one of the most embarrassing things a person can do. Air and bacteria in your digestive track cause gas. Foods that are high in fiber (like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes), and carbonated drinks (like soda and beer) create the most flatulence. Gas can also be caused by antibiotics, laxatives, constipation, lactose or gluten intolerance, artificial additives in sugar-free foods, or by a health condition like diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Each person typically passes gas 10 to 20 times a day. Excess gas can create sharp, jabbing pains or cramps in your stomach. You may be in so much pain that you think something else is wrong, when really, it’s just a simple case of flatulence. Sometimes you cannot control your gas and sometimes you will be bloated.

If your pains interfere with your ability to live a normal life, or if you have nausea, bleeding, weight loss or fever, you will need to talk to a doctor. The doctor will check out your abdomen and also ensure that you don’t have a more serious condition. However, you can take steps in preventing gas pains! First, you need to take a look at your diet. Determine which foods provoke your flatulence. The gassiest foods are beans, onions, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, artichokes, asparagus, pears, apples, peaches, prunes, sugar-free candies and chewing gum, whole-wheat bread, bran cereals or muffins, beer, soda, milk, cream and ice cream. Try to cut back on fried and fatty foods, dairy and high-fiber foods. Eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of having two or three big ones and eat slowly. Also, don’t smoke! Smoking increases the amount of air that you swallow. Even little things like poorly-fitting dentures can cause you to swallow excess air.

You can also turn to over-the-counter remedies, like Beano, which decreases the amount of gas produced by vegetables. There’s also simethicone, which is found in Gas-X, and helps break up bubbles in gas. Charcoal tablets can assist in controlling your pain and subduing the smell. There are numerous homeopathic remedies for gas pains, as well. Peppermint tea can calm your stomach. Ground ginger root in boiling water can curb your gas, and eating coriander seeds is reported to stop gas and help with the pain. Together, we can fight this menace to society! Mister Private has always been against air pollution, anyway.