Keep Your Friends by Controlling Gas

Gas is a natural part of life.

It plays an important part in your digestive life and, for some, in your social life. Nothing feels better than letting a good one rip after your have been sitting there, shifting uncomfortably due to the large gas bubble that is trapped and expanding in your belly. Conversely, nothing feels worse than being in a room filled with the opposite sex and letting on loud and/or stinky one fly at an inopportune moment.

While burping and farting together plays a big part in the socialization of young (and unfortunately, some not-so-young) men, as you age, there are simply times where letting one rip just isn�t as cool as it used to be. Although everyone has gas, it is still one of those things in Western society that does not lend to dignity or manners.

As much fun as it can be (especially with a well-paced match), gas can cause serious physical, as well as social, discomfort. It can cause bloating and stomach pain that can be serious; it has also been known to mimic the pain of a heart or appendicitis attack. So what causes gas, prevents gas and just what is a �normal� level of gas?

Everybody does it. So what exactly causes gas?

Gas has two primary causes. The first, which causes mostly belching, is inhaling air. We inhale extra air when we chew, smoke, talk, or have excessive anxiety. The other major cause of gas is the food we eat and the process of digesting it. When food passes undigested from the small intestine to the large intestine, the natural bacteria present in the large intestine breaks down the food. In the process, it also produces gas composed of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and, in some people, methane (those are the lucky guys in junior high who shot the extra big flames). While these gases are odorless, they can also contain sulfur, which you can thank for the really stinky ones.

There are some conditions that can contribute to excessive gas, but chances are, if your only condition is chronic, painful gas, it can be relieved with some simple dietary changes or medication.

Because the expulsion of gas is such a potentially embarrassing social faux-pas, you might actually just be paranoid. A healthy body produces 1-3 pints of gas per day, which can lead to passing gas 14-23 times per day. It is rare that your body is producing �too much gas.�

Burping
If you concerned with gas, however, there are things you can do to minimize it. If your Achilles heel is belching, then your problem is most likely excessive air-swallowing. To minimize excessive air intake, try chewing slower when you eat. Fast eaters take in much more air when they eat than those who take their time. Also, the longer you take to chew your food, the more time the digestive enzymes in your saliva have to begin the process of breaking down your food. This leaves less work for the gas-producing bacteria in your lower intestine. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candies also cause extra air-intake, as does smoking and poorly fitted dentures.

The most obvious, of course, is drinking carbonated beverages such as soda or beer, which have gas built right in. You can cut down on the amount of carbonation entering your system by pouring the beverage into a glass, but realize that if you drink air, you are going to have to get rid of it eventually.

Flatulence
If your problem area is the other end of your digestive tract, then your diet probably has a lot to do with it. Certain foods, especially sugars, are not easily digested in the smaller intestine and count on the lower intestine�s gas-producing bacteria to break things down. One of the more common undigestibles is lactose. This naturally occurring sugar is present in most dairy products as well as in processed foods such as salad dressings, bread and cereal.

You body can stop producing lactase, the enzyme that allows the body to digest lactose, as you age, which explains why many people develop a lactose intolerance in their adulthood. Also, it has been noted that while individuals of European descent can often digest lactose into their adult years, those of Asian, African and aboriginal American descent have lower levels of lactase in their systems. Lactose intolerance can be tested by your doctor, and lactase supplements can be taken to aid in its digestion if this is your problem.

Other foods that the body finds harder to break down are: raffinose, fructose, sorbitol, starches (all sugars) and soluble fiber. Beans are the most popular meal for farting contests, but cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, other veggies, and whole grains all contain raffinose. The popular brand-name product, Beano, can help in the digestion of this sugar, but doesn�t really help for any others.

Fructose can be found in onions, artichokes, pears, wheat, and some beverages as an artificial sweetener. Sorbitol also acts as a sweetener in dietetic foods and sugar-free gum. It can also be found in fruits such as apples, peaches, pears and prunes. As far as starches, rice is the only starch that does not cause gas.

Soluble fiber, found in the flesh of fruit and veggies, seeds, legumes, oats and some grains, is digested in the lower intestines, and thereby produces gas. Insoluble fiber (in fruit and veggie skin, corn and wheat bran) remains largely undigested, and thus, does not stimulate lower-intestinal bacteria.

Not all of these foods will cause excessive flatulence in everyone. Chances are, your body will find certain foods more difficult to digest. The best way to figure out which ones cause you the most gas is to keep a diet and gas journal, which is about as fun as it sounds.

Drinking lots of water can help cleanse the system, and some add a drop or two of peppermint extract. Also, chewing fennel seeds or drinking teas with peppermint, anise or chamomile has been known to help. Regular exercise such as jogging or walking after a meal helps to keep everything moving through your digestive tract. Also, laying on the floor and pulling alternate legs up to your chest for ten seconds apiece can allow you to dislodge and relieve painful gas where and when you want.

While it seems that any gas is too much gas, its just something you're going to have to live with. Use these tips to reduce the amount of gas you have on a daily basis or just excuse yourself from any social situation when you feel the need to release the pressure. It'll be a win-win situation. You'll spare your friends and colleaques the unpleasant stench while you spare yourself another uncomfortable embarassing moment. And, in the event that you do feel the urge for some flatulent fun, please consider using a whoopie cushion - not your own body!