What is Intestinal Gas & ways for treatment ?

Intestinal Gas
Intestinal gas is present in everyone. Many people who think they have too much intestinal gas actually have normal amounts. Common symptoms of intestinal gas are belching, flatulence, bloating, and abdominal pain. Ways to reduce the discomfort of intestinal gas include changing your diet, taking nonprescription medicines, and reducing the amount of air swallowed.An Introduction to Intestinal Gas
Everyone has intestinal gas and eliminates it by burping or passing it through the rectum. However, many people think they have too much intestinal gas when they really have normal amounts. Most people produce about 1 to 4 pints a day and pass gas about 14 times a day.

Intestinal gas is made primarily of odorless vapors -- carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. The unpleasant odor of flatulence comes from bacteria in the large intestine that release small amounts of gases that contain sulfur.

Although having intestinal gas is common, it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Understanding the causes and knowing the treatment options for intestinal gas will help most people find relief.

Symptoms of Intestinal Gas
The most common symptoms of intestinal gas are:


* Belching
* Flatulence
* Bloating
* Abdominal pain.


However, some of these symptoms are often caused by an intestinal disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), rather than too much gas.

Treatment for Intestinal Gas
The most common ways to reduce the discomfort of intestinal gas are changing your diet, taking nonprescription medicines, and reducing the amount of air swallowed.

Digestive enzymes, such as lactase supplements, actually help digest carbohydrates and may allow people to eat foods that normally cause gas.

Key Points About Intestinal Gas
Here are some important things to know about intestinal gas:


* Everyone has gas in the digestive tract.

* People often believe they have excessive gas, even when the amount of gas they pass is normal.

* Intestinal gas comes from two main sources: swallowed air and the normal breakdown of certain foods by harmless bacteria naturally present in the large intestine.

* Many foods with carbohydrates can cause intestinal gas. Fats and proteins cause little gas.

* Foods that may cause intestinal gas include:

o Beans
o Vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onions, artichokes, and
asparagus
o Fruits, such as pears, apples, and peaches
o Whole grains, such as whole wheat and bran
o Soft drinks and fruit drinks
o Milk and milk products, such as cheese and ice cream, and packaged foods prepared with
lactose, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing
o Foods containing sorbitol, such as diet foods and sugar-free candies and gums.