Q. I have a tremendous amount of gas in my intestines. I spend hours a day trying to get it out before it causes me nausea and explosive diarrhea. This has been periodic for 20 years, but it’s constant now. One doctor said I’m swallowing air, but he had no idea how to stop it. I’ve tried everything I know to solve this problem. I even had my gallbladder removed.
My doctor has diagnosed me as having irritable bowel syndrome, but nothing he does stops the production of this hideous gas. Please give me some ideas.
–J.G., Stillwater, Okla.
A. Gas at both ends of the spectrum (belching from the stomach and flatus from the colon) can be very uncomfortable, not just for the sufferer but for everyone in the vicinity.
Although both are natural and common, it’s more likely for someone to pass gas (flatus) regularly than belch. In fact, it’s estimated that the normal frequency for flatus is about 10 times per day.
Belching is caused by air being forced out of the stomach, either by the stomach muscle itself or by contraction of the diaphragm. Almost 100 percent of belched air is swallowed air. Belching is more likely to happen after a meal. That’s because the stomach is full and the valve at the end of the esophagus is more relaxed.
Air swallowing can be reduced by changing eating behavior, including eating and chewing more slowly, not drinking through a straw, not chewing gum and reducing intake of carbonated beverages.
Because irritations in the mouth, such as caused by ill-fitting dentures, leads to frequent air swallowing, these sources need to be corrected. And some people are unaware that they swallow air simply as a nervous habit.
Flatus comes from two sources: swallowed air that is not belched out, and gas from bacterial fermentation of undigested foods. Swallowed air contributes to at least one-third of normal flatus.
The bacterial fermentation of undigested foods produces additional gas. This fermentation takes place when undigested food passes through the small intestine and enters the large intestine. The process of fermentation results in the production of gas, similar to the in-bottle carbonation of sparkling wines. Unfortunately, the aroma may be annoying and embarrassing.
The most guilty food products are lactose from dairy products; fruit sugars; and bean starch and other starches, such as from wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. Other problematic foods are cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, onions, beer, red wine and eggs.
Though no one would recommend giving up all those foods, which are mostly healthy and flavorful, to limit flatus, you may want to do a test. Limit the intake of one or more of these foods for a week or so and note the effect. Then try another one, and so on.
Non-prescription agents are not considered very effective in controlling belching or flatus. One product, however, called Beano, reduces gas production associated with starches and bean products.
Some people find that exercise such as running or brisk walking will increase the release of gas from the intestines. And because this can be done in relatively private space outside, it can be done without embarrassment.
I don’t know why you had your gallbladder removed to reduce flatus. In fact, removal of the gallbladder makes it more difficult to digest foods and may lead to increased flatus.
It’s important to determine whether having increased amounts of flatus is simply because of food intake or whether your intestines have a disease such as irritable bowel syndrome. Because your doctor has made this determination, you need to understand, agree to and follow the recommendations for treatment.
However, you can also try the self-help measures I’ve discussed.
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Write to Allen Douma in care of Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611; or contact him at DRFamily@aol.com. This column is not intended to take the place of consultation with a health-care provider.
