Dear Readers,
R.B. is a 64-year-old woman who writes Lifeline from a Shortwood, St. Andrew address. Her problem is the common complaint, gas.
R.S. suffers with recurring abdominal distension, abdominal pain which moves around alot, and flatulence. She belches a lot and does pass wind below as well. R.B. has seen several doctors and has done several x-rays and an abdominal ultrasound. One x-ray showed gas in her bowels. Otherwise all the tests were normal. R.B. drinks alot of antacid 'white' medicine preparations and hot teas but she is still suffering a lot with the gas. She asks Lifeline for advice on what she can do to eliminate the gas problem.
gas is constant
Gases are produced 24/7 in the intestinal tract as a part of the digestive process. The break down of carbohydrates and proteins in the gut produces the gases hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane in considerable quantities each day. Most of these gases are absorbed into the blood stream in the intestines and the rest is usually passed out via the rectum. Most people are not even aware of passing these gases daily although most people expel over a quart of gas rectally each day! People also swallow gas when they eat or drink. Some people swallow gas throughout the day without being aware of it. Most of this swallowed gas passes back up the oesophagus (gullet) and out through the mouth as 'burps' or 'belches', especially if the person is upright. Some of this swallowed gas goes down into the intestines.
Symptoms of 'gas' include:
- Flatulence
- Abdominal discomfort
- bloating
- severe abdominal pain
- Abdominal cramping
Excessive production of intestinal gases can indicate a food allergy. Some foods known to cause gas include chocolate, milk, beans, peppers and spicy foods. Avoiding the food type to which the person is sensitive will result in diminished episodes of gas or dyspepsia. There are other food types which themselves form gases in the bowel. These include cauliflower, cucumbers, green and red peppers, beans, onions, broccoli, cows milk and bananas. Intake of these foods should be minimised. Raw, uncooked foods tend to promote gas production in the bowel so those concerned about gas should eat mainly cooked foods.
Antibiotics can
lead to gas
The use of antibiotics can also lead to gas by the loss of the commercial bacteria lactobactuvs acidophilus from the intestine. These bacteria usually help to resolve gas and can be replaced using acidophilus supplements. Activated charcoal can also be used to absorb intestinal gases for a limited period of time. Treatment of gas medically often involves the use of simethicone which is available in several over the counter liquid, tablet and droplet preparations. Simethicone works on gas bubbles to break them up and is available as gas or ovol tablets at most pharmacies. Anti- spasmodics such as baralgin and buscopan are also used when abdominal pain is experienced.
Ginger tea and peppermint tea also aid digestion. They act as antiflatulents and can be drunken several times a day. As an aid to preventing gas it is best to sit upright while eating to avoid swallowing air. Dried beans should be soaked for 12 hours before cooking and the water discarded.
If the problem with gas does not respond to dietary and lifestyle changes then a physician should be consulted to ensure that a medical disease such as irritable bowel syndrome or colitis is not causing the problem.
Write to:
Lifeline
P.O. Box
1731
Kingston 8.
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