Health Topics for Digestive System

James A. Clifton Center for Digestive Diseases

Cancers of the Digestive System

Liver Failure Clinic

Liver Service

Intestinal gas

Everyone has gas. Most people are embarrassed by gas. They think that if they belch or pass gas rectally there may be something wrong with them. It is normal to have gas. Intestinal gas is odorless and harmless. It is very rare that anyone has too much gas. A normal person has 1 pint to 1/2 gallon of gas in the intestines a day. Gas is passed an average of 10 to 18 times a day. Passing gas less than 25 times a day is considered normal.

Gas that is belched comes from the stomach. Gas is in the stomach because of swallowing air. Some people think when they have gas, belching will get rid of it. When people belch they swallow more air, causing more gas. Other ways gas may be swallowed is from eating too fast, sucking on hard candy, chewing gum, smoking, having stress, or dentures that do not fit right. Carbonated beverages, sparkling beverages, and beer also add gas to the stomach. Correcting these will reduce the amount of stomach gas that a person has.

Lower intestinal gas, or colon gas that is passed rectally is called flatus. Part of this gas is left over gas from the stomach. But most of it comes from the foods people eat. As people are trying to eat healthier diets, they find they are having more gas. That is because the foods that they are eating are ones that produce gas. These are foods that are high in fiber, and fruits, and vegetables.

Some people are unable to digest certain sugars and starches that are in foods. Included are foods that are high in fiber, some fruits or vegetables, and lactose in milk and dairy products. When the small intestine is unable to break these foods down, bacteria in the large intestine or colon break these foods down. The result is gas without odor. Some of the bacteria give off gas that has sulfur in it, which causes the odor.

Feeling bloated is not an indication of more gas. It may be that the gas is just not moving. Many physicians feel that bloating is caused by a disorder in the intestines.

The best way to avoid gas is to change the diet, and swallow less air. Sometimes taking foods out of the diet that seem to be causing gas, then restarting those foods a little at a time may help the body get used to them so that there is less gas. Products like Beano or Gas-X may help with gas that is belched, but will not help the lower intestinal gas. Beano only helps with beans and legumes.

Foods that may cause gas are:

• legumes like beans or peas
• mushrooms
• whole grains
• vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, onions, and asparagus
• fruits like pears, apples, and peaches
• carbonated beverages, sparkling drinks, and beer dairy products except yogurt and products with sorbitol that is used in diet drinks

Anyone concerned about gas should try changing their diet, and swallow less air. If these measures do not help, keep a diary of foods eaten each day, and then see a healthcare provider.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File DIGE3506.rf2 VRS# 5411 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999, 2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.