Gas, Bloating, and Natural Remedies
- Brian Dooreck MD
- Nov 19, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 25, 2023
Everyone has gas. Burping or passing gas through the rectum is normal, but because it is embarrassing to burp or pass gas, many people believe they pass gas "too often" or have "too much" gas.
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Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy when YOU need it most10 to 20 percent of adults have digestive complaints of belching or flatulence.
Most of the time, gas is odorless. The odor comes from sulfur made by bacteria in the large intestine. Sometimes gas causes bloating and pain. Not everyone has these symptoms.
A variety of gastrointestinal complaints or symptoms are caused by gas. For example, belching, bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence can be due to sensations from gas, not necessarily "excess gas."
Burping, abdominal bloating, and flatus (passing gas through the rectum) are normal. We all do it.
You can usually pass gas or flatus up to 12 to 25 times daily, typically later than in the morning.
To minimize gas and its embarrassment, the first areas to focus on are diet and eating habits.
What is gas, and flatus or flatulence?
Gas is formed in the intestines by the action of bacteria as food is being digested. Gas is also called flatus or flatulence and is passed through the intestine and out of the body through the rectum.
Excessive intestinal gas also occurs due to excessive air swallowing or increased intraluminal production from malabsorbed nutrients (such as lactose, fructose, or sucrose, This is where there is a benefit to trying the low-FODMAP diet. You can read my other blogs for more about a low-FODMAP diet.
How does gas form?
When foods not digested in the small intestine, such as carbohydrates like lactose, fructose, or sucrose, pass into the large intestine (colon). The bacteria, yeast, and fungi in the colon cause fermentation of the undigested carbohydrates that lead to gas production.
Let's get right into how to treat it...
Remedies For Gas
Before trying anything, always consult with your physician.
Natural remedies for gas include:
Peppermint tea
Chamomile tea
Anise
Caraway
Coriander
Fennel
Turmeric
Over-the-counter remedies for gas include:
Lactase (found in Dairy Ease and Lactaid as examples, is an enzyme needed to break down the carbohydrate lactose found in dairy products
Beano (helps digest the indigestible carbohydrate in beans and other gas-producing vegetables)
Pepto-Bismol
Activated charcoal
Simethicone
Key Points on Gas
Everyone has gas.
Changing what you eat and drink can help prevent or relieve gas.
Passing gas frequently is normal.
Cut down on the foods that cause gas.
Drink plenty of water. Try not to drink soda and beer.
Eat slower and chew more to cut down on the amount of air you swallow when you eat.
Avoid chewing gum.
Don’t smoke.
Make sure your dentures fit properly.
Keep a diet diary.
Some Common Gas-Producing Foods
Beans
Broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, onions, artichokes, asparagus
Pears, apples, peaches
Whole grains, whole wheat, bran
Soft drinks, fruit drinks
Milk, milk products, cheese, ice cream
Packaged foods that have lactose in them (bread, cereal, salad dressing)
Dietetic foods, sugar-free candies, and gums
Personally
I eat a high-fiber, mostly plant-based 🌱 diet, no red meat, drink 4 liters of water a day, exercise, and am focused on keeping nutrition simple. I am sharing what works for me and what I routinely recommend to my patients.
"Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy. 🌱 🌾 🌿"
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If you were looking for information about Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy from Executive Health NavigationClick here for Executive Health Navigation✴ Connect with Dr. Dooreck on LinkedIn, where he focuses his sharing on Health, Diet, Nutrition, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Balance.
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