Features

Problems with passing gas

DEAR READERS,

F.D. is a 64-year-old man who is concerned about his recent tendency to be flatulent. He lives in St. Thomas and drives a taxi. He often does not get to eat lunch on time but will have a box milk and some bun and cheese. He has dinner quite late and wonders if this is the reason for his worsening problems with gas taking him up. F.D. often feels a bit bloated but is not constipated.

Quite a bit of gas is generated daily in the intestinal tract during the digestion of foods we eat, in particular, the digestion of carbohydrates and proteins. People with lactose deficiency manifest that with problems in digesting carbohydrates, resulting in increased hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases collecting in the intestines.

Abdominal bloating and pain are symptoms which are commonly associated with flatulence and are often felt just after a meal. Swallowing air with food or water is another source of 'gas'. A large portion of gas in the bowel is absorbed into the blood stream through the intestinal wall, the rest is expelled, usually through the rectum and the normal adult passes flatus about 12 times daily, often being unaware of doing so. Sometimes excessive gas production occurs secondary to a food allergy or sensitivity ­ most commonly occurring because of problems with digesting spicy foods, peppers, beans, melons, chocolate, caffeine and cucumbers. The 'gassy' person may need to eliminate these items from their diet. The sufferer with intestinal gas should limit his or her intake of gas-forming foods and avoid callaloo, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, bananas and drinks containing caffeine.

Another source of flatulence is the use of antibiotics which kill off friendly intestinal bacteria that help in digestion. This particular problem is partially resolved with the use of ACIDOPHILUS supplements.

Ginger and peppermint teas also help to reduce intestinal gas as they speed up the emptying time of the stomach and enhance digestion, acting as antiflatulents.

SIMETHICONE preparations such as GAS X and other preparations which contain SIMETHECONE e.g. DICA, Rioplus, Maalox Plus and others, break up gas bubbles and reduce the pressure in the bowel, therefore relieving gas pain and bloating. Antispasmodics such as Baralgin and Buscopan are available by prescription and help with relief of gastric and 'gas' pain.

Note: Beans can be rid of their propensity to produce gas by soaking them over night before use, and discarding the water they were soaked in.

A.J.M.