To reduce gas, you can:
Make changes to your diet
- Keep a journal of all the foods that you eat for several days. Identify and avoid the foods that cause gas symptoms.
- Limit foods that commonly cause commonly gas: vegetables, legumes (beans, peas), sugars and sugar substitutes, carbonated drinks, fried and fatty foods, artificial sweeteners, milk and other dairy products.
- Limit foods with air in them: whipped cream, milk shakes.
- Limit carbonated beverages and alcohol: soda, mineral water, beer.
Make changes to your EATING HABITS
- Eat smaller meals throughout the day.
- Chew your food thoroughly.
- Eat slowly.
- Eat in a calm environment.
- Avoid deep sighing.
- Avoid chewing gum, eating hard candies, drinking through a straw, and smoking. You can swallow more air with these activities.
Make changes to your LIFESTYLE HABITS
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes.
- Do not lie down right after eating.
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, for at least 5 days a week.
Try over-the-counter medications
- ?-Galactosidase (Beano® tabs or liquid)
References
1. Meek, Patrick D. APhA Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: Chapter 15 Intestinal Gas. 16th Edition.Washington DC: American Pharmacists Association, 2009: 247-262
2. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Simethicone. Oct 2010. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682683.html. Last accessed August 29, 2011.
3. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Gas in the Digestive Tract. Jan. 2008. Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gas/. Last accessed August 29,2011.
4. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Gas and gas pains. April 2011. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gas-and-gas-pains/DS00080/ . Last accessed August 29, 2011/
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