Flatulence
Passing intestinal gas is normal. A typical adult does it as often as 15 times
a day, generating one to three pints of gas. But normal doesn't necessarily
mean worry-free. Even the average amount of gas can cause discomfort
for some people, and in others the frequency of flatulent episodes and
the amount of gas emitted are much greater than average. The only good
thing about flatulence is that by itself it is not a symptom of
cancer or any
other serious intestinal disease.
Flatulence results when excess gases build up in the digestive tract and
are then expelled through the rectum. Chemical reactions that occur after
eating certain foods are the most common cause. The most likely culprits
are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
onions, and beans.
Because they contain complex carbohydrates, these foods are often
incompletely digested in the stomach and small intestine. After they
arrive in the large intestine, they are broken down by the harmless
bacteria that live there, and certain gases-carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and
methane-are by-products of this bacterial action. In some people, milk
and milk products induce gas and bloating; this milk-related flatulence is
often the result of lactose intolerance.
Hydrogen sulfide and other compounds containing
sulfur are
responsible for the unpleasant odor of some intestinal gas-though not all gas has
an odor. Passing excessive gas can be a symptom of disorders that hinder
normal digestion, such as celiac disease. It can also result from stressful
situations, because people under stress often swallow a lot of air.
Supplements and herbs
If flatulence is more than an occasional problem, try a combination of the
first four supplements (below). Ginger in tablet form or as freshly
grated root (mixed with a little lime juice), is a good all-purpose digestive
aid. It soothes the digestive tract and is useful for relieving flatulence.
Acidophilus and bifidus, two of the friendly bacteria that inhabit the
large intestine, help keep the growth of gas-producing bacteria in check.
FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides), indigestible carbohydrates that are
present in certain foods, promote the growth of friendly bacteria.
Replenishing these bacterial good guys will often relieve gas, bloating, and
other digestive complaints. If this course of action is unsuccessful, use
activated charcoal to absorb gas in the intestine and help reduce the
accompanying odor. It is also available as pills or a tasteless powder,
which can be mixed in a glass of cold water and sipped through a straw
to prevent staining the teeth.
Homeopathy
Take the appropriate remedy one to three times a day in the 6, 12 or 30th
strength, or at the time of acute symptoms.
- Argentum nitricum
Distension, with loud explosive belching, passing gas.
Pain and colic.
Gas cannot be brought up voluntarily, but comes up later violently.
Desires cold foods and cold drinks, that give relief. Desires
sugar that
upsets stomach. Mental exhaustion. Fear of failure, anticipation
anxiety.
Worse: heat, sweets, after eating, indoors, clothing. Better: cool, open air.
- Carbo veg
Gas in upper abdomen. Bloating, loud belching, which relieves feeling.
Fermentation; rancid or putrid risings, acid reflux. Foul gas,
cramps.
Heaviness, fullness, sleepiness. Listless, sluggish. Low vitality, chilly.
Worse: pressure of belt, pork, butter, fats, milk, wine, rich foods, night,
lying down, half hour after food. Better: belching, passing wind, cool breeze.
- China
Rumbling and gurgling, much foul flatulence. Colic every afternoon.
Fermentation, great distension; much belching, but does not relieve.
Strong appetite, but things taste bitter. Dark urine. Apathy,
dizziness.
Worse: night, after eating, tea, fruit, milk, motion. Better: pressure,
loosening clothes, doubling up, lying, fasting. Desires sour fruits, cherries.
- Lycopodium
Bloated and full all the time. Loud rumbling, noisy passing of gas.
Constant gas, bloating, gurgling after eating. Hungry, but quickly full.
Sour belching. Long thin stools. Lack of confidence, but dictatorial.
Abdomen feels weak, sagging. Worse: beans, cabbage,
onions, cold
food, sweets, oysters, 4-8 p.m., tight clothes. Better: warm drinks/foods.
- Nux moschata
Enormous distension; all food turns to gas. Total constipation, foul gas.
Heaviness, pressure, cramps from gas. Dry mouth and throat, but lack of
thirst. Craves spices. Easily full; eating a bit too much causes
headache.
Confused, absent-minded, spacey. Very drowsy, faints easily. Chilliness.
Worse: open air, cold, damp, cold food, drafts, milk. Better: passing gas.
- Nux vomica
Distension and pressure upward, but difficult to belch or pass gas, with
heaviness, spasms, colic; ineffective desire for stool, with straining.
Loss of appetite. Sore abdomen. Nausea but can't vomit. Craves spices.
Muscle spasms and low back pain. Irritable, impatient, driven, uptight.
Worse: cold, overeating, coffee, alcohol, tight clothes, lying down.
Additional things you may do
- Avoid carbonated beverages.
- Chew food thoroughly. Large particles cause gas when they pass into
the large intestine without being completely digested.
- Eat slowly. If you eat too quickly, you tend to swallow more air.
- Soak beans before cooking, which removes some indigestible sugars.
Discard the soaking water and cook the beans in fresh water.
Usual dosage
-
- Ginger
- 100 mg 2 or 3 times a day as needed.
Standardized to contain gingerols.
- Acidophilus
- 1 pill twice a day between meals.
Get 1-2 billion live (viable) organisms per pill.
- Bifidus
- 1 pill twice a day with meals.
Get 1-2 billion live (viable) organisms per pill.
- FOS
- 2,000 mg twice a day.
Use in combination with acidophilus and bifidus.
- Activated charcoal
- 500 mg after each meal and every 2 hours as needed.
Do not exceed 4,000 mg a day.
Other beneficial herbs
Comments
- From Jon
- Caraway or Cumin seems to work well (the best I've tried) and is practical to mix in large amount with cooking legumes to reduce flatulence. However, the gut adapts to what you eat so that after months of eating a lot of flatulence causing foods, it goes down to about the level you had before, at least if you continue to use the spices that reduce flatulence. Unless flatulence and bloating isn't a problem initially, you should gradually increase the amount of such foods in your diet.
|
