Embarrassing Illnesses

Self care advice

Excessive flatulence can usually be treated by making changes to your diet and lifestyle. You should avoid eating foods that are high in unabsorbable carbohydrates (see the 'causes' section for a list).

It is still important for you to eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. You should choose foods that contain carbohydrates that are easy to digest. For example:

• potatoes,
• rice,
• lettuce,
• bananas,
• grapes,
• citrus fruits, such as oranges, and
• yogurt.

However, it is important to note that different people will react differently to certain foods, so some of the foods that are listed above may still cause you flatulence. Therefore, it is recommended that you keep a food diary to see whether certain foods make your symptoms better or worse.

You may find it useful to eat six small meals a day rather than three large ones. Smaller meals are easier to digest and should produce less gas.

Make sure that you chew your food slowly and thoroughly in order to reduce the amount of air that you are swallowing.

Taking plenty of exercise can help to improve the functioning of your digestive system and bowel, and reduce symptoms of gas.

There is some limited evidence to suggest that drinking peppermint tea can help improve the symptoms of flatulence.

If you smoke you should quit. Smoking causes you to swallow more air than normal, and tobacco smoke can irritate your digestive system.

Chewing gum should also be avoided because this also causes you to swallow more air.

Over-the-counter remedies

There are a number of over-the-counter (OTC) remedies that can be used to help treat the symptoms of flatulence.

Alpha-galactosidase is a dietary supplement that has been shown to improve the digestion of carbohydrates and reduce the symptoms of flatulence. Alpha-galasctosidase is sold under the trade name 'Beano' and is available from some pharmacists and health food shops.

Another over-the-counter (OTC) medication is charcoal tablets. The charcoal absorbs gas in the digestive system which should help to reduce the symptoms of flatulence.

Charcoal tablets may not be suitable for you if you are currently taking other medication because the charcoal could absorb the medication, making it less effective. If you are taking other medication, ask your GP, or pharmacist, for advice before taking charcoal tablets.

Charcoal pads are also available. These are pads that you place in your underwear which help absorb the gas that is released during flatulence. Charcoal pads may also help to mask the smell of foul smelling gas.

Probiotics may also be useful in treating of flatulence. Probiotics are a dietary supplement, usually sold in liquid form, which encourage the growth of 'friendly bacteria' in your digestive system. The 'friendly bacteria' should help to aid digestion and reduce symptoms of flatulence.