Gas and The Diet
Why Do I Have Gas?
Everyone has gas.
Burping or passing gas through the rectum is normal.
Because it is embarrassing to burp or pass gas, many
people believe they pass gas too often or have too much
gas. It is rare for a person to have too much gas.
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. How
much gas the body makes and how sensitive a person is to
gas in the large intestine have an effect on how
uncomfortable having gas is.
What Can I Do About Gas?
Changing what you eat and drink can help prevent or
relieve gas. If you feel like you have too much gas, you
might want to try these things before going to the
doctor.
- Cut down on
foods that cause gas.
The amount of gas
caused by certain foods varies from person to
person. The only way to know your own limits is
through trial and error. These are some foods
that cause gas:
- Beans
- Vegetables
such as broccoli, cabbage, brussels
sprouts, onions, artichokes, and
asparagus
- Fruits
such as pears, apples, and peaches
- Whole
grains such as whole wheat and bran
- Soft
drinks and fruit drinks
- Milk
and milk products, such as cheese and ice
cream
- Packaged
foods that have lactose in them, such as
bread, cereal, and salad dressing
- Dietetic
foods and sugarfree candies and gums
- Drink
plenty of water, non-"fizzy" liquids,
and clear soup.
Try not to drink
liquids that cause gas, like soda and beer. If
you do drink these liquids, pour them into a
glass first to let some of the "fizz"
out.
- Reduce the
amount of air you swallow. Here are some ways to
avoid swallowing air:
- Eat
slower and chew more to cut down on the
amount of air you swallow when you eat.
- Avoid
chewing gum and eating hard candy.
- If you
smoke, try to cut down or quit.
- If you
have false teeth, see your dentist to
make sure they fit right.
- Keep a
diary.
Write down the foods (and the
amounts) that seem to cause you the most
problems. Also keep track of the number of times
you pass gas.
If you are
still troubled by gas, you may want to see your
doctor. Take your diary with you to help you
answer the doctor's questions about eating habits
and symptoms.
Points To Remember
- Everyone has
gas in the digestive tract.
- People often
think they pass too much gas when they don't.
- Passing gas
frequently is normal.
- Two ways to
reduce the amount of gas you have are to
- Cut
down on the foods that cause gas
- Reduce
the amount of air you swallow
National
Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2
Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
The
National Digestive Diseases Information
Clearinghouse (NDDIC) is a service of the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the
National Institutes of Health under the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
Established in 1980, the clearinghouse provides
information about digestive diseases to people
with digestive disorders and to their families,
health care professionals, and the public. NDDIC
answers inquiries, develops and distributes
publications, and works closely with professional
and patient organizations and Government agencies
to coordinate resources about digestive diseases.
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