Bloating and flatulence

A bloated abdomen and flatulence are common complaints, caused by a build-up of excess gas in the digestive system.
You may also experience sharp pains and rumbling noises in the abdomen. Most cases of bloating and flatulence are due to food, particularly foods such as beans and cabbage, which produce gas as they are digested. Eating too fast can also cause excessive wind. Certain people find that milk, food additives, or wheat flour can also give the same symptoms. Sometimes. bloating and flatulence are due to a bowel disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome.

What can you do?

• Try to identify and cut down on any foods that cause problems. The worst offenders include cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, prunes, raisins, beans and spicy foods.
• You may develop wind or bloating if you add high-fibre foods to your diet too quickly. Reduce your intake, then increase it gradually over 2-3 weeks.
• Eat and drink slowly, and chew food thoroughly. You may find it helps to eat several meals a day instead of one or two large meals.
• Cut down on fizzy drinks and beer, chewing gum, smoking and artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol and mannitol (found in some sugar-free sweet foods). All of these things may contribute to flatulence.
• Preparations containing dimeticone can be used to treat flatulence.
• Try using charcoal tablets or biscuits to reduce excess wind.
• Try drinking a herbal tea (camomile, peppermint, fennel, gentian) to relieve symptoms.