Patient Info: Gas

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Excessive amounts of gas are produced in the following ways:

• irregular bowel habits and constipation
• insufficient enzymes to help digest certain foods properly
• chewing gum for long periods

The Cause

Many foods and beverages cause excess gas in some people. They include:

• some raw vegetables and fruits, like apples, all types of beans, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, onions (either raw or fried), cabbage and garlic
• beer, drinking too many carbonated beverages — fructose is not absorbed well and it is used as a sweetener in most carbonated beverages
• nuts of all kinds
• some baked goods such as boston cream pie, lemon pie, chocolate, cherry and blueberry pies, bread — i.e. gluten problems
• eating too many sweets — nutritionally a no-no!
• milk, soft cheeses and ice cream — be sure you do not have a lactose intolerance.

Poor bowel habits and hunger (as in irregular eating), or eating non-residue type foods containing no fibre or other roughage can cause gas as can nervousness and tension.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics sometimes upset the normal bowel bacteria content. If your gas started after a course of antibiotics, you need to replace the normal bacteria — try a good probiotic for 3 weeks — ask the pharmacist.

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