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Intestinal Gas & Bloating

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Having intestinal gas is normal. Healthy people produce 1-2 liters of intestinal gas per day. Many of our foods, particularly plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, grains) contain sugars and fibers, which are difficult for humans to digest. The result is a substantial amount of gas, but on the other hand, fibers keep the large bowel in good shape and prevent obstipation, so it is important to find a happy medium. Food not digested by our digestive enzymes in the small intestine pass into the large intestine as undigested food particles. In the colon the normal intestinal bacteria initiate a fermentation process in order to digest the last remnants of food. The fermentation process is the main cause of intestinal gas and bloating. Air and gas in the stomach and intestines also occurs as a result of the air we swallow when we eat and drink, and also when we swallow saliva (as with smoking and chewing gum).

If you suffer from bloating and flatulence, you must:

  • Stop smoking,
  • Stop chewing gum
  • Stop drinking carbonated drinks (e.g. cola, soda, mineral water, beer). Drink juice, water, tea, coffee, lemonade, etc.
  • Take your time when you eat and chew the food well
  • Discreetly let the air out that you swallow (burp). Air you do not let out proceed into the intestines.
  • Cut down on fruits and vegetables for a period (especially cabbage, beans, onions, lettuce, seleri, carrots, apples, pears, bananas)
  • Cut down on fatty foods
  • Cut down on sweets. It makes you swallow a lot of air
  • Stress and anxiety can aggravate the problem
  • Take your time when going to the toilet
  • Exercise alleviates the problem by stimulating bowel movements, increasing transit time and thus the passage of air.

ATTENTION! When bloating makes it necessary for you to seek medical advice, it is important that you are examined for:

  • intestinal infections
  • gluten allergy (celiac disease)
  • milk allergy (lactose-intolerance)
  • irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

You can also try:

Probiotics: Probiotics are live bacteria cultures, consisting of "friendly" bacteria that we want in the gut. They should preferably consist of several different live strains of lactic acid producing bacteria. There are several products on the market that ex:
Symbioflor + (capsules, live bacteria cultures, 4 strains)
Maxiflor (capsules, freeze-dried bacteria cultures, 11 strains)
Multidophilus (capsules, freeze-dried bacteria cultures, 3 strains)
Paragurt (tablets, freeze-dried culture of Enterococcus faecium)
Peppermint: Peppermint has been used since ancient times especially in Northern Africa and Middle East due to its beneficial effects on digestion.
Peppermint tea: One cup of strong peppermint tea after meals, a total of 3-4 cups daily or:
Pebermynte tablets
Peppermint oil 0.2 to 0.4 ml in capsules 3 times per day or 6-12 drops daily in 3 cups of hot water/tea
Ingefær Har været anvendt i kinesisk medicin i 2500 år pga. gavnlig effekt på fordøjelsen.
Ginger: Ginger is best known for improving digestive health and reducing gas in traditional chinese medicine
Ginger Capsules: Ginger Capsules 400-500 mg, 1-2 capsules 3 times a day

OTC Drugs:

In more severe cases you can try one of the following OTC drugs:

Imogas (Simeticone, soft capsules of 240 mg), 3. daily
Aeropax (Dimethicone, chewable tablets of 40 mg), 2-3 pieces. 3-4 times a day
Imodium Plus (Loperamide + Simethicone). Use only in case of bloating and diarrea. Capsules of 4 mg, max. 4 capsules. per. day.