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Suggest Remedies For Excessive Flatulence
Question: For several weeks now My husband has been experiencing non-stop horrendous uncontrollable gas. It doesn't matter what he eats or drinks or when. He's tried Gas X and Beano, to no avail. He's always taken a probiotic and nothing in his routine has changed. He doesn't know what to do & it's getting very embarrassing to go anywhere. He's 65, exercises daily & is in good health and not overweight. What should he do?
Brief Answer:
See below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I will assume that his bowel movements are unchanged from normal - not greasy, floaty, or clay colored.
I think at this point he should go to his doctor. There the doctor can feel very his abdomen and identify if there is any tenderness of his intestines or gall bladder.
When there is a problem with excessive flatulence, it may be from a gut infection, malabsorption (such as from gluten or dairy intolerance), or having problems with the gall bladder. Sometimes lack of pancreatic enzymes can contribute to this as well. Depending on what findings there are from the physical exam, an ultrasound of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas may be warranted, or stool studies may be the next step. The doctor may recommend charcoal or other products that can help also.
Here are a few things to try in the meantime:
Eat small amounts at a time. May need to eat more often to compensate, but no big meals.
For now, avoid dairy, soy and other legumes, and reduce greasy food.
Reduce onions and garlic.
No carbonated drinks.
Try Pepto Bismol for a couple of days, 1-2 x/day to see if that makes a difference - bismuth can help kill intestinal pathogens.
Given the severity of the problem, I definitely think he should be seen by either his primary doctor or a gastroenterologist.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
See below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I will assume that his bowel movements are unchanged from normal - not greasy, floaty, or clay colored.
I think at this point he should go to his doctor. There the doctor can feel very his abdomen and identify if there is any tenderness of his intestines or gall bladder.
When there is a problem with excessive flatulence, it may be from a gut infection, malabsorption (such as from gluten or dairy intolerance), or having problems with the gall bladder. Sometimes lack of pancreatic enzymes can contribute to this as well. Depending on what findings there are from the physical exam, an ultrasound of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas may be warranted, or stool studies may be the next step. The doctor may recommend charcoal or other products that can help also.
Here are a few things to try in the meantime:
Eat small amounts at a time. May need to eat more often to compensate, but no big meals.
For now, avoid dairy, soy and other legumes, and reduce greasy food.
Reduce onions and garlic.
No carbonated drinks.
Try Pepto Bismol for a couple of days, 1-2 x/day to see if that makes a difference - bismuth can help kill intestinal pathogens.
Given the severity of the problem, I definitely think he should be seen by either his primary doctor or a gastroenterologist.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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