Sometimes, undigested food or swallowed air causes a buildup of excess air in the intestine, leading to abdominal bloating and flatulence, or gas. In many cases, flatulence can be treated with various at-home dietary and over-the-counter remedies; however, cases of flatulence caused by an underlying health condition may require prescription medication or other treatments recommended by your physician.
Dietary and Behavioral Modifications
Undigested food is a common cause of flatulence. According to Medline Plus, chewing each bite of food thoroughly and taking a short walk after meals may help aid in digesting your food, in turn reducing flatulence. However, some people may find that they still need to limit their intake of hard-to-digest foods to effectively treat bothersome intestinal gas. According to the Mayo Clinic, some common dietary culprits of flatulence that should be eaten in moderation include fresh vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts; beans; onions; pears; peaches; foods with artificial sweeteners; carbonated beverages; and whole wheat breads and pastas.
The Mayo Clinic also advises that you monitor your body's reaction to food in an effort to identify any food sensitivities. For example, many people are lactose intolerant and develop flatulence primarily after consuming dairy foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese. Reducing or eliminating dairy foods from your diet, or substituting lactose-free foods, may effectively treat your symptoms.
Making sure that you eat at a slow pace and eat only when you are calm and relaxed can help decrease the amount of air you swallow during meals--another common cause of flatulence. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse also recommends avoiding chewing gum or eating hard candy, because both of these activities can cause you to swallow undue amounts of air.
Over-the-Counter Medication
Medications available over the counter can sometimes help prevent and treat symptoms of flatulence. For example, Beano is a medication that, when added to meals, can help to prevent the development of severe gas, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anti-gas products containing simethicone--for example, Gas-X and Mylanta--and activated charcoal--for example, Charcoal Plus and CharcoCaps--may also help relieve belching and flatulence.
Prescription Medication
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, people with flatulence caused by underlying health conditions may benefit from prescription medications. For example, antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline and desipramine, and antispasmodic medications such as dicyclomine and hyoscyamine that help to control contractions in the lower intestine, can effectively treat those whose flatulence is a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome--a chronic intestinal disorder characterized by bouts of constipation, diarrhea and bloating. If you have chronic flatulence that does not respond to over-the-counter treatments, consult your physician to determine whether you are suffering from some underlying condition.
