Gas in the digestive tract comes from two souces--swallowed air and the normal breakdown of certain undigested foods by harmless bacteria that are naturally present into the large intestine.

Air swallowing (aerophagia) is a common cause of gass in the stomach. Everyone swallows small amounts of air when eating and drinking. However, eating or drinking rapidly, talking whil eating, or drinking rapidly, talking while eating, chewing gum, smoking, or wearing loose dentures can cause some people to take in more air.

Burping, or belching is a way most swallowed air leaves the stomach. The remaining gas moves into the small intestine where it is partially absorbed. A small amount travels into the large intestine for release through the rectum. The stomach also rleases carbon dioxide when stomach acids and bicarbonate mix, but most of this gas is absorbed into the bloodstream and does not enter the large intestine.

Gases are produced as a by-product when cetain food materials are digested by naturally occurring bacteria in the large intestine, or oclon. these bacteria are responsible for digesting material slike complex carbohydrates and cellulose, which are not normally digested in the upper GI tract.

The quantity and mixture of gases depend on the types of bacteria in the colon; everyone has a unique assortment of bacterial from the time of birth. These gases include hydrogen, carbon diozide, and in some people, methane. Trace gases, such as hydrogen sulfide are responsible for the odor. Foods that may produce gas in one person may not cause gas it in another.

Foods that may cause gas

Most foods that contain carbohydrates can cause gas. By contrast, fats and proteins cause little gass.

Sugars--the sugars that cause gas are raffinose, lactose, fructose and sorbitol 1) raffinose--beans contain large amounts of this complex sugar. Smaller amounts are found in cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, other vegetabels and whole graines 2) lactose--lactose is the natural sugar in milk. It is also found in milk products such as cheese and ice cream, and proessed foods such as bread, cereal and salad dressing. 3) Fructose--this is natuarlly present in onions, artichokes, pears, and wheat. It is also used as a sweetener n some soft drinks and fruit drinks. 4) sorbitol---this is a sugar found natuarlly in fruits, cinlduing apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. It is also used as an artificial sweetener.

Starches

Most starches--including potatoes, corn, noodles and wehat produe gas as they are broken down in the large intestine. Rice is the only starch that does not cause gas.

Fiber

Many foods contain soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and takes a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. Found in the oat brain, beans, barley, nuts, seeds, lentils, peas, and most fruist, soluble fiber is not broken down until it reacjes th large intestine where digestion causes gas.

Insoluble fiber, on the other had, passes essentially unchanged thorugh the intestines and produce little gas. Wheat bran, whole grains and some vegetables contain this kind of fiber.

Treatment

The most common ways to reduce the discomfort of gas are changing the diet, taking medicines, and reducing the amount of air swallowed. Eating fewer fermentable vegetables/carbohydrates (like beans, broccoli or cabbage) and avoding sweetners (like sorbitol and fructose)can lessen the amount of gas produced. Those who are truly lactose intolerant may improve if they avoid milk products.

Alcohol may impair intestinal digestion so that more food is available for gas production. Certain proteins may enhance the odor of gas. If gas is a problem with you, try monitoring your diet for a week or so to identfy what may cause increased gas production or what may affect odor.

Doctors may tell people to eat fewer foods that cause gas. For some people this may mean cutting back on healthy food. Care should be taken not to eliminate food groups. Doctors may also suggest limiting high-fat foods to reduce bloating and discomfort. This helps the stomach empty faster aloowing gases to move into the small intestine.

The amount of gas caused by certain foods varies from person to person. Effective dietary changes depend on learning through trial and error how much of the offending foods one can handle.

Many nonprescription, over-the-counter meds are available to help reduce symptoms, including antacids with simethicone and activated charcoal. Products containing chlorophyllin copper (Nullo) can help minimize offending odor. Digestive enzymes, such as lactase supplements, actually help digest carbohydrates and may allow people to eat foods that normally cause gas.

Even though over-the-counter medicines are available without a prescription, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about the product usage and dosage most appropriate for you.

Simethicone (i.e. Mylanta Ga, Phazyme, Gas-X) is a foaming agent that joins gas bubbles in the stomach so that gas is more easily belched away. However, these medicines have no effect on intestinal gas.

Activated charcoal tablets may provide reliefe from gs in the colon. Studies have shown that when taken before and after a meal, intestinal gas is greatly reduced. The enzyme lactase, which aids in lactose digestion, is available in liquid and tablet form withouth prescription. Adding a few drops of liquid lactose to milk before drinking or chewing lactase tablets just before eating helps digest foods that contain lactose.

Also, lactose-reduced milk and other products are available at many grocery stores. Beano, an over-the-counter digestive aid, contains the sugar-digesting enzyme that the body lacks to digest the sugar in beans and many vegetables. The enzyme comes in liquid or tablet form. It is taken just before eating to break down the gas producting sugars. Beano has on effect on gas caused by lactose or fiber. Heat degrates the enzyme in Beans so it cant be added to the food while it is being cooked.

Doctors may prescribe medicines to help reduce symptoms, especially for people with motility disorders, such as irritable bowel syndomre. Promotility or prokinetic drugs such as metoclopramind (Reglan) and cisapride (Propulsid) may move gas through the digestive tract quickly.

For those who have chronic belching, doctors may suggest ways to reduce the amount of air swallowed. Recommenations are to avoid chewing gum and to avoid eating hard candy. Eatin tat a slow pace and checking with a dentist to make sure your dentures fit properly should help.