Foul smelling flatulence, more commonly known as bad smelling gas is a very common problem, seen in many people, of all ages. Most people seek help for foul smelling gas, even though it is not a serious problem. This could be due to the fact that bad smelling flatulence can be a major source of embarrassment for all people. Hence, in order to avoid being embarrassed in front of others, most people seek treatment from health experts. Moreover, at times people may experience other uncomfortable symptoms too, in addition to the foul smelly gas problem. Hence, people usually experience problems like bad smelling gas and bloating, diarrhea, stomach pain or even constipation at the same time. In order to get rid of foul smelling gas, constipation, diarrhea and the other uncomfortable symptoms, most health experts advise people to opt for simple and natural smelly gas remedies, which mainly include dietary and lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, it is possible for this problem to recur, if the exact bad smelling gas causes are not addressed, on a long term basis. Therefore, before trying any gas relief home remedy, it is important for people to understand what causes smelly gas and then adopt the right remedy.
Causes: In order to treat the problem successfully, it is essential to first identify what causes bad smelling gas in people. In general, there are four main factors that could lead to odorous flatulence in people. Some of the most common causes of bad smelling gas and stomach pain, bloating or diarrhea are:
- Consuming Excessive Amounts of Food that are Difficult to Absorb: Certain varieties of food, especially those that are very high in carbs cannot be processed by the body quite easily. These foods get passed on to the large intestines, soon after which, the bacteria that are present in the colon break down the carbs. In the process, a high amount of gas is produced in the body, which needs to be eliminated from the body, usually in the form of flatulence. Food that generally leads to bad smelling gas and bloating include cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, apples, prunes, lentils, beans and pulses.
- Swallowing Air: All people swallow some amount of air when they breathe, talk and eat. However, in some cases, people could swallow more air than is normal, which leads to excess gas in the intestines, smelly flatulence, bloating, as well as abdominal pain. The activities which are known to cause a person to swallow additional amounts of air include smoking, drinking with a straw, chewing gum or eating at a fast pace.
- Slow Digestion: There are some people who retain food in the stomach for a longer period of time, as compared to others. Lack of fiber in a diet and dehydration generally cause the digestion to slow down considerably. This is also one of the most common causes of bad smelling gas during pregnancy. In addition to the flatulence, people may also see an extended belly or bloating.
- Underlying Health Conditions: There are a couple of health problems, which have been known to affect the digestive system adversely. Chronic constipation, food intolerances and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are all common health conditions that could lead to bad smelling gas and stool problems in adults, as well as children.
However, since every individual's digestive system is different, there could be other causes of excessive flatulence too, in some cases. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor and identify what the exact causes of the problem are, as soon as the bad smelling gas symptoms become evident.
Treatment: While the problem of smelly flatulence can be treated, there are no specific medicines as such that can be prescribed. In fact, taking any medication could aggravate the problem. Hence, people are advised to first try natural stomach gas remedies and then seek medical help, in case they are not very effective. One of the first steps in reducing the flatulence problem is making dietary changes, to eliminate the consumption of foods, which include dairy products, aerated drinks, oil, spices, fatty foods as well as certain fruits and vegetables. People should avoid consuming raw food or vegetables that have not been cooked thoroughly. Eating foods at regular intervals can also help in reducing smelly gas.
In order to reduce the problem of bad smelling gas at night, people can drink a cup of herbal tea made from carminative herbs, after dinner. The most effective herbal tea for this purpose is a mixture of balm, chamomile and peppermint. Alternately, people can also choose to drink that contains equal parts of blessed thistle, germander, centaury and buckbean. However, herbs should not be regarded as the appropriate natural gas remedies for children or during pregnancy. There are several other natural gas remedies that can also be very effective, with minimal side effects.
Stomach Gas Remedies - Baking Soda
This remedy produces small bubbles of carbon dioxide in the stomach, which neutralizes the stomach acid. These bubbles could cause a person to get rid of the gas by belching, which reduces flatulence problems. Half a teaspoon should be mixed in half a glass of water and can be consumed every 2 to 3 hours, or as advised by a doctor.
Stomach Gas Remedies - Ginger
This is one of the most effective remedies for flatulence and one of its main advantages is that it can be consumed on different forms. Half a teaspoon of ginger powder should be mixed in half a glass of warm water. To enhance the effectiveness of this home remedy, a pinch of rock salt can also be added to it. Alternately, people could also such on a few pieces of ginger that have been soaked in freshly squeezed lime juice. Adding ginger to regularly cooked food can also help reduce the problem of flatulence.
Stomach Gas Remedies - Honey
This ingredient is very effective in curing several afflictions, including the symptoms of excess gas. Drinking a teaspoon, mixed with a drop of dill oil immediately after a meal reduces the problem of smelly gas.
Before using any of the home remedies for smelly gas mentioned above, it is best to get an approval from a doctor. Women too, should get a go ahead from their doctors, before using any natural gas remedies during pregnancy.
answered by G R