Cures for Gas & Bloating

Gas or bloating can be one of the most uncomfortable feelings. There are many causes for the problem ranging from foods that are eaten to medical conditions. However, if a person has this problem, their main concern is to cure it, so that the potential for embarrassment is removed. There are a few different ways the condition can be helped.

Avoiding Foods

• Of course the best way to cure gas and bloating is to discover the cause and fix it. In most cases the cause is diet. There are certain foods that can set the digestive system off in people. Unfortunately, most of the foods aren't the same for everyone, and it is a case of trial and error through life until the foods are discovered. Once it is figured out, the best way to help with the issue is to avoid those types of food. Some foods that cause gas in all individuals to a point are sugars and certain vegetables that contain cellulose. Dairy products are also a common culprit.

Medications or Enzymes

• With some foods a substance can be added to help break down the material that is causing the gas. Milk is an example of this. Milk causes intestinal issues for many people due to lactose intolerance, however enzymes such as those in Lact-Aid products can be added to the milk or consumed just before drinking it to aid in breaking down the lactose. This will keep the gas from forming in the body. Some medications can be taken before eating certain foods to keep the bloating down, and others can be purchased to reduce the condition and relieve the bloated feeling after it occurs. If taken after, it usually takes about half an hour to take effect.

Disease

• Sometimes the cause of the gas is a disease such as celiac disease. If this is the case, a particular ingredient is causing an aggravation of the disease, and this is causing the gas buildup and stomach pains. With celiac disease the cause is gluten, and the only way to prevent it is to avoid all products with gluten in them. This is an extreme change of diet that affects the rest of a person's life, and since the disease cannot be cured, the diet change is essential.

Surgery

• A blockage in the intestines can cause bloating and increased gas. If this is the issue, then an operation is needed to fix the problem. There is no other way to correct it.

Lying Down

• One remedy that sometimes works without medication is for a person to lie down on his stomach for about half an hour. This sometimes helps work the air bubbles out of the system by forcing them into another position.