Flatulence - I think I'm gonna explode!

Squashypig

Desperate for any advice here. I've always been a windy person, I accept that, my husband and daughter accept that - but at this stage in my life I'm not prepared to unleash the wrath of my rear end on my colleagues or members of the unsuspecting public in my local supermarket etc etc!

As I say I've always suffered with wind but more recently it's become quite a problem, and quite painful! I'm putting it down to the fruit that I'm now eating which I never used to, and also the change in my diet generally. I do suffer with constipation but I think this is down to a Vitamin D tablet I have to take daily, my doctor said it's a common side effect. I take several other meds daily but even if they do cause wind I can't avoid it as they are lifelong meds I have to take. Before I started my lifestyle change I used to drink a lot of alcohol and suffered more with diarrhoea.

My guts are constantly gurgling, not hunger gurgling but the kind you get when you have diarrohea. And I can feel and hear great big gas bubbles popping around my sides and in my bowel, sometimes it makes me jump. But generally speaking this is going on constantly, feeling like I need to go to the toilet most of the time but it's just wind, and lots of it. Oh and the smell..............well I can only liken it to the country air smell that hits you when the farmers are muck spreading!! Not nice, cetainly not for my loved ones! When I'm at home I do try to go outside and not pollute their airspace. I'm told to get outside with the rest of the animals. They are joking of course but this is getting way beyond being funny now.

Does anyone have similar problems? If so, how do you deal with it?? Any advice will be appreciated. Oh and feel free to throw in any humour, that'll be appreciated too!! Thanks, Sharon :flowerforyou: :embarassed:

seekingstrengthX2

Thank you for the thoroughly descriptive post. :laugh:

Fruit would not cause what u r describing. An intolerance to something in your diet would. Dairy? Gluten?

Terryism

Found this online, it also mentioned to watch for lactose intolerance...:

Your response to food changes is likely unique to other people, and alleviating or preventing gas and diarrhea is often a trial-and-error discovery. If you do not normally eat 25 to 35 g of fiber daily, the standard recommendation, but you introduced high-fiber foods to your diet with the result of gas and diarrhea, regroup and change the game plan. Start with low-fiber foods then gradually increase consumption until you reach the standard daily intake. If you eat several servings of red meat per week, reduce consumption. But slowly add wheat bread or pasta, brown rice and cooked vegetables to lower gas production and prevent constipation yet add bulk to your stool so you do not also produce diarrhea.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/458728-can-a-change-in-diet-cause-gas-diarrhea/#ixzz1yuE3lMy8

momtokgo

I agree that it sounds more like an intolerance to something. Fruit generally doesn't cause what you describe, but a dairy intolerance or a gluten intolerance most definitly would. Maybe try taking something out for a week and see if it makes a difference?

rmhand

Have you tried drinking peppermint tea? It does wonders for me after eating peppers or onions. Just get a box of decaf peppermint tea and brew it up.

heatherina1983

Cheese does that to me and I love cheese

SPNLuver83

wouldn't that product "beno" help? you know something something and there will beno gas? lol but for real, have u tried it? perhaps more fiber would help too?

lesliev523

You may want to get tested for Celiac.... gluten did that to me.

GermanicKnight

My sister had the same issue as you. She switched to almond milk and within 2 weeks the discomfort was nearly gone. She had a dairy intolerance. She also drinks coconut milk too. Has helped a ton.

Now somedays she misses her 'back trumpet', it was great at parties!

NKF92879

I have heard that "tooting" is a sign of a healthy diet, but I agree with the other posters on this one. It sounds like your body is reacting adversely to something in your diet. Perhaps you could talk with your doctor and come up with a plan to systematically cut things out to find the culprit?

NYCDutchess

caraway seeds are great for bloating and gas.

KeisterBunny

I would take it straight to the horse's mouth, as it were, and tackle in intestines directly. I suggest acidophilus. It should help those intestines quiet that rumble in the jungle

Leslie85

Have you recently started using any protein power? I tried Jillian Michael's protein mix a couple weeks ago- thought my stomach was going to explode. Stopped using it and now I'm fine. There must have been something in it that I have an intolerance to.

PeaceCorpsKat

It is most likely intolerance or an irritable bowel syndrom. There are also some forms of fungus that can cause this problem. Go see a GI Specialist.

bellygoaway

Try increasing your fiber. I switched to the Sara Lee 45 calorie bread, and my gas went way down.

fattofit20

I too suffered from this. I suffer from IBS Constipation and see a GI doctor regularly. Most days my stomach is flat in the morning and expands by 3 or 4 inches by evening. I was told to add fiber to your diet slowly. I began by using Vitafusion Fiber Gummies. Try two every morning for about two weeks. Also, slow down on your fruit and any other fiber for now. Once your stomach gets use to the Fiber Gummies, gradually increase fruit into your diet. Maybe one piece per day and keep it that way for a couple of weeks. I would watch your intake of red meats as these seem to cause gas too. Try chicken or fish for a couple of weeks. I also have a terrible addiction to Starbucks latte's. For me, milk is the culprit to most of my bloating and gas. I've reduced the number of Latte's to one per week. I don't have quite as much bloating but yes, it's still there. I find that apples cause me excess gas and bloating but everyone is different. I hope this helps and if you like, you can add me. Good luck!

Sabresgal63

Bloating, belching and intestinal gas: How to avoid them
Bloating, belching, gas and gas pains can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Here's what causes these signs and symptoms — and how you can prevent them.
By Mayo Clinic staff

Bloating, burping and passing gas are natural and are usually caused by swallowed air or the breakdown of food through digestion. You may experience gas and gas pains only occasionally or repeatedly in a single day. When gas and gas pains interfere with your daily activities, it may be an indication of something serious. Find out how to reduce or avoid gas and gas pains, and when you may need to see your doctor.

Bloating: Gas buildup in your stomach and intestines
When gas doesn't pass through belching or flatulence, it can build up in the stomach and intestines and lead to bloating. Bloating is often accompanied by abdominal pain — either mild and dull or sharp and intense. Passing gas or having a bowel movement may relieve the pain.

Bloating may be related to:

Eating fatty foods. Fat delays stomach emptying and can increase the sensation of fullness
Stress or anxiety
Smoking
A gastrointestinal infection, blockage or disease
Irritable bowel syndrome, a condition characterized by abdominal pain or cramping and changes in bowel function
Conditions such as celiac disease or lactose intolerance in which the intestines aren't able to digest and absorb certain components of food
To reduce bloating, it may help to avoid or reduce the amount of gas-producing foods you eat. Many carbohydrates cause gas, and the following items are common culprits:

Baked beans
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carbonated drinks
Cauliflower
Chewing gum
Fruits such as apples, peaches and pears
Hard candy
Lettuce
Belching: Getting rid of excess air
Belching or burping is your body's way of expelling excess air from your stomach. You may swallow excess air if you eat or drink too fast, talk while you eat, chew gum or suck on hard candies, drink carbonated beverages, or drink through a straw.

Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can have the same effect. If stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, you may swallow repeatedly to clear the material. This can lead to swallowing more air and further belching.

Some people swallow air as a nervous habit — even when they're not eating or drinking. In other cases, chronic belching is related to inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), peptic ulcer disease or delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis).

You can reduce belching if you:

Eat and drink slowly. Taking your time can help you swallow less air. Also, avoid drinking through a straw.
Avoid carbonated drinks and beer. They release carbon dioxide gas.
Skip the gum and hard candy. When you chew gum or suck on hard candy, you swallow more often than normal. Part of what you're swallowing is air.
Don't smoke. When you inhale smoke, you also inhale and swallow air.
Check your dentures. Poorly fitting dentures can cause you to swallow excess air when you eat and drink.
Treat heartburn. For occasional, mild heartburn, over-the-counter antacids or other remedies may be helpful. GERD may require prescription-strength medication or other treatments.
Flatulence: Gas buildup in the colon
Intestinal gas is typically caused by the fermentation of undigested food, such as plant fiber, in the colon. Gas can also form when your digestive system doesn't completely break down certain components in foods, such as gluten or the sugar in dairy products and fruit.

Other sources of intestinal gas may include:

Food residue in your colon
Changes in intestinal bacteria due to antibiotics or other medications
Carbohydrate malabsorption, which can upset the balance of helpful bacteria in your digestive system
Swallowed air that migrates to your colon
Constipation — the longer food waste remains in your colon, the more time it has to ferment
Sometimes, gas indicates a digestive disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance.

To prevent excessive gas, it may help to:

Avoid the foods that affect you most. Common offenders include beans, peas, lentils, cabbage, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, bananas, raisins, whole-wheat bread, salads and carbonated drinks. If dairy products are a problem, try low-lactose or lactose-free varieties.
Eat fewer fatty foods. Fat slows digestion, giving food more time to ferment.
Temporarily cut back on high-fiber foods. Fiber aids digestion, but many high-fiber foods are also great gas producers. After a break, slowly add fiber back to your diet. Add products such as Beano to high-fiber foods to help reduce the amount of gas they produce.
Eat slowly. Try to make meals relaxed occasions. Eating when you're stressed or on the run can interfere with digestion.
Get moving. It may help to take a short walk after eating.
Try an over-the-counter remedy. Products such as Lactaid or Dairy Ease can help digest lactose. Products containing simethicone help break up the bubbles in gas.
When to see your doctor
Bouts of excess bloating, belching and gas often resolve on their own. Consult your doctor if your symptoms don't improve with changes in eating habits or you notice:

Diarrhea
Constipation
Severe, prolonged or recurrent abdominal pain
Nausea or vomiting
Bloody stools
Weight loss
Fever
Chest pain
These symptoms could signal an underlying digestive condition. Intestinal symptoms can be embarrassing — but don't let embarrassment keep you from seeking help. Treatment is available.

Mayo Clinic products and services
Book: Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies

Support research at Mayo Clinic

Biggipooh

Thank you for the thoroughly descriptive post. :laugh:

Fruit would not cause what u r describing. An intolerance to something in your diet would. Dairy? Gluten?

I am sorry, but fruit CAN cause bloating and gas, especially the ones with high fructose.

DixiedoesMFP

Talk to your doctor about H. Pylori. It's a bacteria that grows in your gut and can cause those problems, and is treated with antibiotics. Agree with the above posts as well.

1546mel

I had this prob when i started dieting and stopped smoking. I replaced cigarettes with sugar-free candy, sugar-free pop, sugar substitutes galor. Come to find out i cannot tolerate any of them and have had to stop all sugar substitutes and jsut trying to eat my sugar in moderation and more water and less chewing of ANYTHING. Im 1.5 years out from smoking, so this is not a danger anymore and i can do this. Keep in mind, sugar substitutes are made so that you do not digest them and they run through your digestive tract unaltered and often create tummy troubles due to this as well as a TON of nasty nasty gas!!!! Hope this helps as it has taken me a year to figure this out. I am also watching my gallbladder as well as i have heard that this can cause gas and stomach upset and im worried that all this sugar substitute killed my gallbladder. Good luck! I share your pain!

Spice_4_Life

Have you tried drinking peppermint tea? It does wonders for me after eating peppers or onions. Just get a box of decaf peppermint tea and brew it up.

I love peppermint tea!!!! and it does a great job with the windy situation too