| Several things contribute to excess flatulence and | | | | normal levels. |
| gas pain. The gas itself is caused by fermentation, | | | | 3. Lactase deficiency. Some people lose the ability to |
| the same process that makes wine. Bacteria are | | | | digest milk and milk products efficiently because of a |
| normally present in the digestive tract. When the | | | | shortage of a digestive enzyme, lactase. Undigested |
| bacteria work on the undigested parts of a big meal, | | | | milk sugar gets to the colon and becomes a ripe |
| one by-product is a mixture of gases, including | | | | target for gas-producing bacteria. Try a milk-free diet |
| hydrogen sulfide, the familiar rotten egg odor, and | | | | for two weeks to see if episodes of excess gas |
| smelly residues of fatty acids. | | | | decrease. Your doctor can help you zero in on the |
| Now here are the most common main reasons that | | | | cause. |
| contribute to excess flatulence: | | | | 4. Swallowing air. Some people actually gulp down |
| 1. The kinds of food we eat. Almost everybody gets | | | | large volumes of air while smoking, chewing gum, |
| gas from eating beans. That's because beans contain | | | | eating or drinking. Taking smaller bites, chewing them |
| two kinds of starches that bacteria love to ferment | | | | longer, and swallowing smaller amounts of liquid |
| and that the body can't break down and absorb first. | | | | smoothly, without gulping, will help solve the problem. |
| Other problem foods include onions, Brussels sprouts, | | | | If chewing gum and smoking are the culprits, |
| raisins, prune juice, apricots, celery, carrots, bananas, | | | | abandon the guilty habits. And if you feel like belching, |
| bagels, wheat germ and pretzels, not necessarily in | | | | don't help the process. trying to belch just draws |
| that order. | | | | more air, adding to the problem. |
| Sometimes a combination of otherwise innocent | | | | 5. Anxiety. Being over-anxious or stressed out can |
| foods will trigger excess gas. Keep track of what | | | | bring on flatulence. Doctors think stress gives rise to |
| you eat, compare that with when you experience | | | | overeating, poor eating habits and impaired digestion |
| gas discomfort, and tailor your diet accordingly. | | | | processes, all combining to produce excess gas. |
| 2. Sudden switch to more high-fiber foods. Most of | | | | These are the most common causes of excessive |
| us need more fiber in our daily diet. But one of the | | | | flatulence. If you think you have one of the causes, |
| prices we have to pay may be increased flatulence. | | | | then may be you might consider a little change on |
| Start with a small dose of fiber so the bowel gets | | | | your lifestyle. In that way, you'll save yourself from |
| used to it. After about two weeks on an increased | | | | that horrifying smell as well. |
| fiber diet, most people's gas production returns to | | | | |