HealthRemedis directory

Flatulence is a natural problem and we all know it can be extremely embarrassing to pass wind in public. Gas and the pain that could arise from this problem is usually caused by breakdown of food by bacteria in the digestive tract, an endogenous source of the problem. Another cause can be swallowing air when eating or drinking, an exogenous source.

Symptoms of excessive gas are burping, passing gas and bloating.

Changing your diet and the way you eat can be great for the prevention of gas. Avoiding fizzy drinks and increasing liquid intake, eating and drinking slowly and partaking in mild exercise after meals are all good ways of reducing the problem.

Examples of foods that are known to cause gas and bloating include:

Most starches - potatoes, corn, noodles and wheat. Rice is the only starch that does not cause gas.

* Raffinose - beans contain large amounts of this complex sugar. It is also seen in smaller amounts in cabbage, sprouts, broccoli, asparagus and other vegetables.

* Fructose - naturally present in onions, pears and wheat.

* Sorbitol - another sugar naturally found in fruit like apples and pears.

But if these dietary changes just aren't giving the results you are comfortable with, it is good to know there are natural remedies on the market. It is important to note that sufferers of lactose intolerance, intestinal bacteria feeding on lactose can give rise to excessive gas production when milk containing foods are consumed.

Flatulence can be a sign of a more serious health problem, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is advised to seek medical attention if this is the case.