How to Know If You Pass Too Much Gas
Passing gas is either embarrassing or hysterically funny depending much upon the situation, age, gender, maturity, and location of the passing. As well, it is a hard subject to bring up even though, well, everyone does it. Gas is passed by either belching or through the good ole' rectum, also referred to as flatulence. The latter tends to be the one people are most uncomfortable with doing or hearing.
Instructions
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Know that every single person on this earth passes gas. We have to as a natural part of digestion. Gas is caused by the breakdown of the food you have eaten by bacteria that is in the large intestine, also known as the colon.
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Belching is usually caused by swallowed air that travels into the stomach. Some ways this can be reduced is by eating slower and being aware when you are drinking something that you are not swallowing air. It sounds a little crazy to think that you swallow air, but when you are expelling gas that is all it is. Other causes of this type of gas can be chewing gum, smoking and loose fitting dentures.
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The average person will pass gas approximately 14 times per day. Now, depending on your personal experience you might think this is either extremely high or low. If you think you are passing too much gas start to keep a food diary. One gas causing culprit is lactose, which is found in ice cream, or dairy, so if you eat a big bowl of ice cream and are suddenly attacked by a bout of gas it's pretty assuredly caused by the lactose. Keeping a food journal and documenting the times that you pass gas during the day can help you realize one of two things: either you are normal and only thought you were a high flatulator; or secondly, that you do expel an above average amount of gas.
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What does all this mean? Well, it could actually mean that there are serious gastrointestinal problems that need to be looked at further by a doctor. If you experience stomach cramping as well as any other problems with digestions, such as a burning sensation in your stomach, alternating diarrhea and constipation, pain or swelling in your abdomen, or blood in your stool, these are all signs that it's a good idea to go to the doctor.
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Tips & Warnings
Counting the number of times a day you pass gas does not have to be a public affair, but it may ease your mind if you have been thinking that you do it too much.
Colon cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Many people are embarrassed to talk about what goes on down below and their bathroom habits and even often lie to their doctor about symptoms that may be happening.
