Blotting (Gases)

Home remedies for Blotting (Gases)
Behaviors And Food Choices That Can Lead To Gas
Behaviors
Talking while eating
Eating when upset
Smoking or chewing tobacco
Using a straw or sports bottle
Overloading your stomach
Deep sighing
Drinking very hot or cold beverages
Chewing gum or eating hard candy
Drinking from a water fountain
Tight-fitting garments
Long-term use of medications for relief of cold symptoms
Foods
Carbonated beverages
Spicy, fried or fatty foods
Broccoli, cabbage, onions
Beans
Apple or prune juice
Dried fruits
Anything containing sorbitol, mannitol or maltitol, found in many low-carb or sugar-free foods

Beat The Bloat
Bloating is a sensation that makes the abdomen feel larger than normal. The abdomen doesn’t get
physically bigger until its volume increases by one quart, so the bloated feeling may occur, but the
abdomen is not distended. Intestinal gas may cause the feeling of bloating.

Here are additional suggestions to decrease bloating:
Eat slowly, and consume smaller, more frequent meals
Chew your foods well
Drink beverages at room temperature
Have your dentures checked for a good fit
Increase physical activity during the day
Sit up straight after eating
Take a stroll after eating

It is important not to completely omit foods from the diet that may cause gas. As we know, a high-fiber
diet is important for bowel regularity and colon health, so it is well worth the patience it may take to
slowly build up tolerance to these types of carbohydrates. Start by adding the offending high-fiber food
in smaller quantities, such as a half cup or less. Be sure that fluid intake and activity levels are
adequate, as they help to move foods through the digestive tract.

Natural And Other Remedies For Gas
Many advertisements tout medications or remedies that reduce gas and bloating. Some have been shown
to be of value in clinical studies, others have not yet been proven scientifically but are anecdotally helpful.
Before trying anything, you may want to consult with your physician.

Two products on the market can help with food-related gas and bloating. Both products are packaged
forms of the enzymes needed to break down the problematic carbohydrates. Lactase, found in
products such as Dairy Ease and Lactaid, can be taken with dairy foods to help break down lactose
and lessen gas. Beano helps digest the indigestible carbohydrate in beans and other gas-producing
vegetables.

Natural remedies for gas include:
Peppermint tea
Chamomile tea
Anise
Caraway
Coriander
Fennel
Tumeric
Over-the-counter gas remedies include:

Pepto-Bismol
Activated charcoal
Simethicone
Lactase enzyme (Lactaid or Dairy Ease)
Beano

When To Be Concerned
In most situations, occasional gas and abdominal discomfort does not require medical attention. Over-
the-counter products, or a self-assessment of habits and changes in eating behaviors can help remedy
the situation. However, you should seek medical attention when there is an increase in frequency,
location or severity of the symptoms, or if they are accompanied by weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting or
heartburn.