The average person passes gas about 14 times a day, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, or NDDIC. This can lead to bloating, belching, flatulence, and other uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms. Gas is caused by either swallowing air or as a byproduct of certain harmless bacteria in the gut that break down certain foods. Gas and flatulence are treated by either learning to swallow less air, changing the diet or with medication.
Swallowing Less Air
The simplest way to swallow less air is to eat slowly, chew thoroughly and not gulp while eating, according to MayoClinic.com. Avoiding chewing gum, sucking on hard candy and drinking through a straw is also advisable. Dentures should be checked to make sure they fit properly, as loose dentures can cause a person to swallow excess air while eating. Smoking also causes a person to swallow air.
Diet Changes
The NDDIC suggests avoiding fried and fatty foods, as fat slows down digestion, which leads to more gas. Drinking plenty of water and other flat liquids is a good idea, as is avoiding beer, soda and other fizzy drinks as they can cause gas.
Many foods that cause gas are essential to a healthy diet, such as fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains and dairy products. Most people are affected only by certain foods. For example, one person may react badly to cabbage and beans, while someone who is lactose-intolerant will produce gas in response to dairy products. So it's best to take a trial-and-error approach, figure out which foods are causing the problem and then cut only those. A food diary that tracks what a person eats, as well as any gas symptoms, can help with this. Another approach is to temporarily cut out all dairy products or all high-fiber foods, then gradually add them back in one at a time, according to MayoClinic.com.
Over-The-Counter Products
There are over-the-counter remedies that can help ease symptoms, but they are not always effective for everyone, according to MayoClinic.com. Digestive enzymes, sold as supplements, work by aiding the digestion of certain troublesome foods. Lactase can help a person digest dairy products, while Beano can help digest the sugars in beans and some vegetables that cause gas. Lactose-free dairy products can also help those with lactose intolerance. Non-prescription gas remedies containing simethicone can help ease symptoms by breaking up the bubbles in gas. Activated charcoal tablets may also ease symptoms.
