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Treatment for Stomach Gas

According to the National Institute of Health, the average person produces between 1 and 4 pt. of gas, and releases that gas on average 14 time each day. In some cases, too much gas can be created in the stomach causing pain and bloating. There are a variety of treatments to help relieve this problem.

  1. Over the Counter Treatments

    • In many cases, stomach gas is not serious enough to warrant the use of prescription medications. Instead, many people can find comfort in over the counter treatments of gas such as a Beano and digestive enzyme tablets. Lactase is an option for those with stomach gas related to an intolerance to lactose products. If stomach gas symptoms progress to diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, or you see blood in your stool, you should contact a doctor as soon as possible to see if there may be a more serious underlying cause to your stomach gas.

    Diet

    • Reducing certain types of foods in your diet can help prevent stomach gas. Sugar, starches and fiber are the three main foods that are responsible for overproduction of stomach gas. Reducing sugars such as raffinose (often found in beans), lactose (found in milk products), sorbitol (found in fruits) and fructose (used as a sweetener in sodas and fruit juices) can help treat stomach gas. Reducing starches, such as potatoes and pasta, and soluble fiber, such as oat bran and beans, will also help prevent stomach gas.

    Habits

    • Gas problems may also result from habits that lead to sucking excess amounts of air into the body. Smoking, for example, can cause small amounts of air to be inhaled into the digestive tract. This air eventually has to escape through the passing of gas through the rectum or back through the mouth. Eating too quickly can also cause excess amounts of air to enter the digestive tract. Stopping these habits can help reduce the overall amount of gas buildup in the stomach.

    Prescription Medications

    • If stomach gas becomes a persistent problem, your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve some of the symptoms. Prescription medications are designed to help the body move stomach gas through your system more quickly. This helps relieve the bloating and pain often felt by chronic gas sufferers. The most common prescription medication for this purpose is metoclopramide, also known as Reglan. Metoclopramide is especially prescribed for those who suffer from gas problems linked with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

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