How to Decrease Gas & Bloating
Gas and bloating can occur due to any of a large number of causes. Certain foods and behaviors can contribute to excessive gas. Decreasing gas and bloating can be as simple as avoiding these foods and activities. However, some people may require over-the-counter or even prescription medicine to reduce gas and bloating.
Instructions
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Avoid foods that cause gas. These include beans; vegetables such as cabbage, cucumbers, and roots; dried fruits such as prunes and raisins; fried dough or wheat products; meat prepared with gravy or sauce; bubbly drinks such as soda and beer; and dairy products. This is not an exhaustive list, however it gives you a general idea of the types of foods that cause gas.
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Avoid swallowing air. Many people unknowingly swallow large amounts of air on a regular basis, which leads to nitrogen in the system being poorly absorbed and causes gas and bloating. Avoid using straws. Drinking through a straw or a bottle can cause increased amounts of air to be swallowed.
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Chew and drink slowly. Eating or drinking too fast can cause you to ingest more air. Smoking, chewing tobacco, sucking on hard candies or chewing gum frequently can cause you to swallow air.
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Don't lie down after eating. Being in a horizontal position after eating can facilitate the movement of gas from the stomach to the intestines.
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Stay active. Being active and moving around will allow you to pass gas out of your system if you are feeling bloated.
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If your problems with gas and bloating persist even after the above measures are taken, try an over-the-counter gas reliever such as Gas X or Bean-o.
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If your gas and bloating problems are not taken care of by an over-the-counter gas reliever, talk to your doctor about other treatments. Your doctor may tell you specific foods to avoid and may also write you a prescription.
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