Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Women’s Gas Problems – 6 Fixes

By Meredith Thompson



It happens to the best of us and, usually, at the worst times. It’s women’s gas problems, and if you’ve ever experienced the need to suck in a fart because you’re on a hot date or at a business luncheon, you’d know that there’s nothing more annoying than stomach pains caused by holding in your gas.


And there’s only one way to figure out what’s causing your gas - eating. That’s right, most of the food you eat is what causes that undesirable feeling and need to let one go silently. And the worst part is that the silent ones are the worst.

Is it possible to eliminate women’s gas problems completely? Actually, yes, it is, but you would have to sacrifice many of the foods you love in order to do so.

Between avoiding certain foods completely to taking a gas-eliminating over-the-counter medicine, here are the best ways to get rid of women’s gas problems quickly and over the long-term.

Women’s gas problems fix #1
Avoid lactose

Many women are lactose intolerant and don’t even know it. It’s very possible that your love of dairy products is producing a stinky result at the end of the day.

Women who are lactose intolerant have a low intestinal level of an enzyme that’s known as lactase. Lactase is needed to help you digest lactose; the sugar that’s found in most dairy products.

The worst part is that you may not even be lactose intolerant, but simply unable to digest certain milk products, and it’s quite possible that you’re just not able to handle ice cream, even though it’s your favorite dessert in the whole wide world.

If you want to figure out if your gas is caused by milk products, consume them on one of those nights you spend at home alone, and if it is indeed a dairy product that’s causing your gas issues, let ‘em rip that evening and then avoid them in public.

Women’s gas problems fix #2
Avoid gas-causing foods

You’ve surely heard that beans are a big no-no because they contain a sugar called raffinose that causes gas like you’ve never heard, but there are many gas-producing foods that you probably didn’t even think cause gas.

Many vegetables cause gas, including cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions, artichokes, cauliflower, and radishes. So if you’re out at a restaurant with friends and any of these are part of your side dish, you might want to pass on them.

But gas producing foods don’t stop there; you can get a bout of gas from raw or dried fruits like bananas, melons, peaches, prunes, and apricots – especially if they contain sulfites.

As well, eggs, sodas, fruit juices, wine, beer, whole wheat flour, and wheat bran can also give you a bad case of the farties.

Women’s gas problems fix #3
Start slow with fiber

Fiber is highly encouraged for digestive health, but if it’s not taken correctly, it may lead to a serious increase in gas. If you need to add fiber to your diet because you need to “regulate,” start out small.

In order for your bowels to get used to the fiber, add a small amount to your cereal or juice in the morning and as your body adjusts, add a little more every few days. If you still happen to get gas, according to doctors, your gas production will return to normal after a few weeks of taking fiber.

Of course, it would probably be a good idea if you were single and living alone if you wanted to go this route. It would also be great if you were working from home for that matter.

Women’s gas problems fix #4
Avoid sugar & sugar substitutes

Most women don’t know it, but sugar substitutes like maltitol, mannitol and sorbitol can lead to serious gas problems, and I’m talking explosive, uncontrollable gas.

These types of sugars are usually found in sugar-free foods, drinks, candy, gum, and even fruit (sorbitol) so pay attention to the way your body reacts after ingesting any of these things.

Women’s gas problems fix #5
Take charcoal tablets

Some women believe that activated charcoal tablets help to curb their flatulence problems because charcoal absorbs gas and can alleviate your gas problems.

But before you head to your health food store and pick up a box, consult your doctor if you’re taking any other medication because charcoal may also absorb your medicine.

Women’s gas problems fix #6
Head for the pharmacy

When all else fails, it’s time for you to make that trip to the drugstore and pick up those attractively named over-the-counter medicines like Bean-O and Gas-X.

Unlike charcoal, which absorbs the gas, these OTCs relieve gas by preventing gas pockets from forming in the tummy and intestines.

Other women’s gas problems fixes

-Drink peppermint tea – the menthol in this tea relaxes the smooth muscles of the digestive tract.
-Drink plenty of water
-Avoid laxatives and constipating drugs

Stop your gas problems today

It’s exhausting to let one go constantly and then stare at others in the elevator in an accusatory way, so your best bet is to start watching what you eat and figure out which foods give you gas.

Nobody likes stinky farts (unless they’re their own, in which case they need to get a whiff), so take heed of the aforementioned tips and say goodbye to gas for good.

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