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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.

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