Gases Conclusions

What you need to remember

• All people have gas in the digestive tract
• People often think that normal gas elimination is excessive
• Gas comes from two main sources: the air we swallow and the normal breakdown of certain foods by harmless bacteria that are naturally present in the colon.
• Many foods containing carbohydrates can cause gas. Fats and proteins cause little gas.

Indicative foods that may cause gas:

• Beans
• Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onions, artichokes and asparagus
• Fruits such as pears, apples, apples and peaches
• Wholegrains, such as wholemeal wheat and bran
• Sunflowers and fruit drinks
• Milk and dairy products, such as cheese and ice cream, and packaged foods containing lactose, such as bread, cereals, and salad dressing
• Foods containing sorbitol, such as diet foods and sugar-free sweets and chewing gum

Gases may cause us discomfort and embarrassment, but they are not life-threatening. Understanding the causes, ways to reduce symptoms and ways to treat them helps most people find some relief.

The most common symptoms of gas are belching, bloating, and abdominal pain. Some of these symptoms, however, are often caused by intestinal disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, rather than excessive gas.

The most common way to reduce the discomfort caused by gas is to change your diet, take over-the-counter medications and reduce the amount of air you swallow.

Digestive enzymes, such as lactase supplements, actually help digest carbohydrates and may allow you to eat foods that normally cause gas.