According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, excess gas results from excess swallowing of air and eating certain types of food. To relieve excess gas, a person passes the flatus through the rectum. The average person passes gas 10 times a day, and passing gas up to 20 times remains normal. When excess intestinal gas becomes bothersome or interferes with everyday activities, a variety of treatments and lifestyle changes may decrease gas.
Decrease Air Swallowing
Swallowing excess air is medically termed aerophagia. A person may swallow excess air when eating too fast or talking when chewing food. A person should relax and take time to eat and not rush through meal times. Drinking from straws and chewing gum is discouraged because both activities cause excess air swallowing. Some people naturally swallow more air when they are nervous or under stress. Relaxing and focusing on breathing will also improve the amount of air swallowed. Older adults wearing dentures should check to make sure dentures are not loose and fit properly. A dentist will be able to determine the proper fit of dentures if a patient is unsure. Smoking is discouraged as it causes increased air swallowing. Smoking cessation programs and a variety of nicotine replacement solutions may aid in kicking the nicotine habit.
Change Dietary Habits
Some foods may cause a person to develop additional gas. A person should remove all gas-causing foods from his diet, and slowly reintroduce each food and monitor for gas symptoms. Gas-causing foods include beans, cabbage, lettuce, Brussels sprouts and onions. Some people are lactose intolerant. Lactose is the natural sweetener found in dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese. Some people are unable to digest lactose properly and suffer from severe gas, abdominal pains and diarrhea. Lactose intolerance may occur as a person ages. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, decreasing fatty foods from a diet will allow the stomach to empty faster and decrease gas.
Medications
Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available for excess intestinal gas. OTC products include digestive enzymes such as lactase. People who are lactose intolerant may take these tablets before consuming dairy products. Natural enzyme products allow the body to digest sugars found in beans and other vegetables and are to be taken before eating. Activated charcoal tablets reduce gas in the intestines, the Cleveland Clinic reports. The tablets are taken before and after eating. Patients suffering from disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome can be prescribed metoclopramide, which moves gas through the digestive tract quickly.
