Gas and Bloating: Care Instructions

Overview

Gas and bloating can be uncomfortable and embarrassing problems. All people pass gas, but some people produce more gas than others, sometimes enough to cause distress. It is normal to pass gas from 6 to 20 times per day. Excess gas usually is not caused by a serious health problem.

Gas and bloating usually are caused by something you eat or drink, including some food supplements and medicines.

Gas and bloating are usually harmless and go away without treatment. However, changing your diet can help end the problem. Some over-the-counter medicines can help prevent gas and relieve bloating.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Keep a food diary if you think a food gives you gas. Write down what you eat or drink. Also record when you get gas. If you notice that a food seems to cause your gas each time, avoid it and see if the gas goes away. Examples of foods that cause gas include:
  • Fried and fatty foods.
  • Peas, lentils, and beans.
  • Vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, radishes, and raw potatoes.
  • Fruits such as apricots, bananas, melons, peaches, pears, prunes, and raw apples.
  • Wheat and wheat bran.
  • Carbonated drinks, fruit drinks, beer, and red wine.
  • Packaged foods that contain lactose, such as breads, cereal, and salad dressing.
  • Sugar and sugar substitutes.
• Try soaking beans in water overnight. Drain the soaking water, and cook the soaked beans in new water. This may help decrease gas and bloating.
• If you have problems with lactose, avoid dairy products such as milk and cheese.
• Try not to swallow air. Do not drink through a straw, gulp your food, or chew gum.
• Take an over-the-counter medicine. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • Food enzymes, such as Beano, can be added to gas-producing foods to prevent gas.
  • Antacids, such as Maalox Anti-Gas and Mylanta Gas, can relieve bloating by making you burp. Be careful when you take over-the-counter antacid medicines. Many of these medicines have aspirin in them. Read the label to make sure that you are not taking more than the recommended dose. Too much aspirin can be harmful.
  • Activated charcoal tablets, such as CharcoCaps, may decrease odor from gas you pass.
  • If you have problems with lactose, you can take medicines such as Dairy Ease and Lactaid with dairy products to prevent gas and bloating.
• Get some exercise regularly.