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Natural herbal & homeopathic remedies for Acidity (Dyspepsia, Hyperacidity, Flatulence, Intestinal Gas)
Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Intestinal Gas,
Acidity, Hyperacidity · Symptoms · Causes
Everyone has gas and eliminates it by burping or passing it through
the rectum. However, many people think they have too much gas when
they really have normal amounts. Most people produce about 1 to 4
pints a day and pass gas about 14 times a day!
Gas is made primarily of odorless vapors—carbon dioxide, oxygen,
nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. The unpleasant odor of
flatulence, the gas that passes through the rectum, comes from
bacteria in the large intestine that release small amounts of gases
containing sulfur.
Although having gas is common, it can be uncomfortable and
embarrassing. Understanding causes, ways to reduce symptoms, and
treatment will help most people find relief.
The most common symptoms of gas are flatulence, abdominal bloating,
abdominal pain, and belching. However, not everyone experiences
these symptoms. The type and degree of symptoms probably depends on
how much gas the body produces, how many fatty acids the body
absorbs, and a person's sensitivity to gas in the large intestine.
·
Belching - An occasional belch during or after meals is
normal and releases gas when the stomach is full of
food. However, people who belch frequently may be
swallowing too much air and releasing it before the air
enters the stomach. Sometimes a person with chronic
belching may have an upper gastrointestinal (GI)
disorder, such as peptic ulcer disease, gastro
esophageal
reflux disease (GERD), or gastro paresis, also called
delayed gastric emptying. Sometimes people believe that
swallowing air and releasing it will relieve the
discomfort of these disorders, and they may
intentionally or unintentionally develop a habit of
belching to relieve discomfort.
·
Flatulence - Another common complaint is too much
flatulence. However, most people do not realize that
passing gas 14 to 23 times a day is normal. Too much gas
may be the result of carbohydrate mal-absorption.
·
Abdominal Bloating - Many people believe that too much
gas causes abdominal bloating. However, people who
complain of bloating from gas often have normal amounts
and distribution of gas. They may just be unusually
aware of gas in the digestive tract. Doctors believe
that bloating is usually the result of an intestinal
disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The
cause of IBS is unknown but may involve abnormal
movements and contractions of intestinal muscles and
increased pain sensitivity in the intestines. These
disorders may give a sensation of bloating because of
increased sensitivity to gas. Any disease that causes
intestinal inflammation or obstruction, such as Crohn’s
disease or colon cancer, may also cause abdominal
bloating. In addition, people who have had many
operations, internal hernias, or bands of internal scar
tissue called adhesions may experience bloating or pain.
Finally, eating a lot of fatty food can delay stomach
emptying and cause bloating and discomfort, but not
necessarily too much gas.
·
Abdominal Pain and Discomfort - Some people have pain
when gas is present in the intestine. When pain is on
the left side of the colon, it can be confused with
heart disease, which sometimes causes abdominal pain.
When the pain is on the right side of the colon, it may
mimic gallstones or appendicitis.
Gas in
the digestive tract—the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and
large intestine—comes from two sources:
·
Swallowed Air
Aerophagia, or air swallowing, is a common cause of gas
in the stomach. Everyone swallows small amounts of air
when eating and drinking. However, eating or drinking
rapidly, chewing gum, smoking, or wearing loose dentures
can cause some people to take in more air.
Burping, or belching, is the way most swallowed
air—which contains nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon
dioxide—leaves the stomach. The remaining gas moves into
the small intestine, where it is partially absorbed. A
small amount travels into the large intestine for
release through the rectum. The stomach also releases
carbon dioxide when stomach acid mixes with the
bicarbonate in digestive juices, but most of this gas is
absorbed into the bloodstream and does not enter the
large intestine.
·
Normal breakdown of certain undigested foods by
harmless bacteria naturally present in the large
intestine, also called the colon.
The body does not digest and absorb some
carbohydrates—the sugar, starches, and fiber found in
many foods—in the small intestine because of a shortage
or absence of certain enzymes that aid digestion.
This undigested food then passes from the small
intestine into the large intestine, where normal,
harmless bacteria break down the food, producing
hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and, in about one-third of all
people, methane. Eventually these gases exit through the
rectum.
People who make methane do not necessarily pass more gas
or have unique symptoms. A person who produces methane
will have stools that consistently float in water.
Research has not shown why some people produce methane
and others do not.
Foods that cause gas
Most foods that contain carbohydrates can cause gas. By
contrast, fats and proteins cause little gas.
·
Sugars
The sugars that cause gas are raffinose, lactose, fructose, and
sorbitol.
›
Raffinose - Beans contain large amounts of this complex sugar.
Smaller amounts are found in cabbage, brussels sprouts,
broccoli, asparagus, other vegetables, and whole grains.
›
Lactose - Lactose is the natural sugar in milk. It is also found
in milk products, such as cheese and ice cream, and processed
foods, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing. Many people,
particularly those of African, Native American, or Asian
background, normally have low levels of lactase, the enzyme
needed to digest lactose, after childhood. Also, as people age,
their enzyme levels decrease. As a result, over time people may
experience increasing amounts of gas after eating food
containing lactose.
›
Fructose - Fructose is naturally present in onions, artichokes,
pears, and wheat. It is also used as a sweetener in some soft
drinks and fruit drinks.
›
Sorbitol - Sorbitol is a sugar found naturally in fruits,
including apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. It is also used as
an artificial sweetener in many dietetic foods and sugar-free
candies and gums.
·
Starches
Most starches, including potatoes, corn, pasta, and wheat,
produce gas as they are broken down in the large intestine. Rice
is the only starch that does not cause gas.
·
Fibre Many foods contain soluble and insoluble fiber.
›
Soluble fiber
dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like texture
in the intestines. Found in oat bran, beans, peas, and most
fruits, soluble fiber is not broken down until it reaches the
large intestine, where digestion causes gas.
›
Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, passes essentially unchanged
through the intestines and produces little gas. Wheat bran and
some vegetables contain this kind of fiber.
How
to find the cause of gas in your case?
Because gas symptoms may be caused by a serious disorder, those
causes should be ruled out. Health professionals usually begin
with a review of dietary habits and symptoms. The health
professional may ask the patient to keep a diary of foods and
beverages consumed for a specific time period.
If lactase deficiency is the suspected cause of gas, the health
professional may suggest avoiding milk products for a period of
time. A blood or breath test may be used to diagnose lactose
intolerance.
In addition, to determine if someone produces too much gas in
the colon or is unusually sensitive to the passage of normal gas
volumes, the health professional may ask a patient to count the
number of times he passes gas during the day and include this
information in a diary.
Careful review of diet and the amount of gas passed may help
relate specific foods to symptoms and determine the severity of
the problem.
Because the symptoms that people may have are so variable, the
health professional may order other types of diagnostic tests in
addition to a physical exam, depending on the patient's symptoms
and other factors.
Treatment of dyspepsia & flatulence depends on whether it may be
associated with an underlying digestion problem such as a gastric
ulcer, peptic ulcer disease,
or gallbladder disease. Most often, the medications prescribed can
relieve symptoms.
Natural herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat and
prevent digestive irritation and discomfort. A combination of
herbal ingredients are a therapeutic measure to cure indigestion and
support liver and gallbladder functioning. Not only are they safe
and gentle to use on the body, but also a far more suitable
substitute to antacids.
·
Zingiber officinale (Ginger) - This slender
perennial has its origin in Asia, specifically India,
but is now widely cultivated in other parts of the world
like Africa, USA and West Indies. The aromatic oils present in ginger
rhizome are the active constituents medically. They are
the ones responsible for the characteristic aroma and
flavor. They include sesquiterpenes, specifically
zingiberene, as also aldehydes and monoterpenes. It is
an antiseptic expectorant and even treats catarrhal
coughs. Gingerols are another components present which
give ginger its pungent characteristics and thus make
ginger a fantastic remedy as an anti nausea agent. Its
effects are comparable to the best conventional
medicines, like metoclopramide. It is an antispasmodic and generally good for
digestion. It helps in period pains and digestive cramps
as also flatulence and diarrhea.
·
Pelargoneum graveolens ('maagpyn bossie' or
stomach pain bush) is a traditional medicinal herb used by
indigenous people of South Africa. It has a wide variety
of uses and is an effective calmative and anti-spasmodic
herb, reducing stomach cramps and pain.
·
Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile) - With its
daisy like flowers throwing aromatic scents everywhere,
this wild herb is found throughout Europe. The essential
oil of German chamomile flower contains bisabols,
flavonoids and azulenes that give this herb its
anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and muscle relaxing
properties. This makes it an excellent remedy for
digestive disorders. Bisabol which gives German
chamomile anti-inflammatory properties, helps relieve
inflammation on the mucous membranes and promotes
healing. It’s a good remedy for stomach pains and
flatulence.
·
Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) was a favorite herb
in medieval times and was used to stop stomach rumbles
and colic. It was commonly used after meals to prevent
flatulence, indigestion, colic and other digestive
problems. Fennel has strong calmative and
anti-inflammatory properties.
·
Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet) is an
anti-inflammatory, soothing digestive remedy which helps
to protect the digestive tract and reduce stomach acid
secretions. It is also effective in reducing the pain of
digestive disorders and ulcers and is similar in
structure to the synthetic drug called acetylsalicylate,
or aspirin - without the side effects commonly
associated with aspirin.
·
Kalium phosphate (D6) is a biochemic tissue salt
and a natural component of all fluids in the body. It
acts as a nerve nutrient, and is naturally present in
all brain cells and nerve tissue. Kalium phosphate (also
called Kali. phos.) is an excellent nerve tonic and
natural calmative, helping to soothe nerves and lessen
edginess. Kali. phos. supports emotional calm and can
therefore assist with a common nervous stomach or
digestive systems which are affected by stress.
·
Carbo. veg. (30C) is well known for its
supportive capacity on digestion, including the
discouragement of common gas and wind. Carbo. veg. tends
to suit those individuals who prefer clothing loose
around the abdomen who also tend to lie down after
eating or drinking. This remedy also supports healthy
circulation and healthy energy levels.
·
Arctium lappa (Burdock) is well-known as an
herbal blood and system supporter. Burdock supports
routine detoxification carried out by the body and
supports the digestive system helping to lessen common
wind, non-recurrent bloating, and healthy bowel
movements.
To support normal levels of gas in the
bowels and support healthy digestion.
Helps maintain digestive comfort and
promotes healthy digestion.
Promotes healthy and trouble-free
digestion and digestive balance.
·
Health professionals may tell people to eat fewer foods
that cause gas. However, for some people this may mean
cutting out healthy foods, such as fruits and
vegetables, whole grains, and milk products. Health
professionals may also suggest limiting high-fat foods
to reduce bloating and discomfort. Unfortunately, the amount of
gas caused by certain foods varies from person to
person. Effective dietary changes depend on learning
through trial and error how much of the offending foods
one can handle.
·
Foods that may cause gas include:
›
beans
›
vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, brussels
sprouts, onions, artichokes, and asparagus
›
fruits, such as pears, apples, and peaches
›
whole grains, such as whole wheat and bran
›
soft drinks and fruit drinks
›
milk and milk products, such as cheese and ice cream,
and packaged foods prepared with lactose, such as bread,
›
foods containing sorbitol, such as dietetic foods and
sugar-free candies and gums
·
Vitamin B12 supplementation may be
beneficial for a subset of people suffering from
indigestion: those with delayed emptying of the stomach
contents in association with Helicobacter pylori
infection and low blood levels of vitamin B12.
Liver, fish, milk, lean meat, poultry, seafood, eggs,
fortified Soya drink are all quite rich in vitamin B12
but their intake should be properly administered due to
the very types of food involved here.
·
Onion - Onion enhances the taste of the food and
improves the appetite. It aids digestion and stimulates
the liver, spleen and bile and improves their
functioning. It expels wind from the stomach and
relieves stomach-ache and flatulence. For maximum
benefit, roast an onion in fire, crush it and extract
juice from it. Mix 1g of salt and drink it.
· Reduce Swallowed Air - For those who have chronic
belching, health professionals may suggest ways to
reduce the amount of air swallowed.
A few options are:
› avoid chewing gum
› avoid eating hard candy
› avoid eating at a slow pace
› checking with a dentist to make sure dentures fit
properly
To support normal levels of gas in the
bowels and support healthy digestion. Helps maintain digestive comfort and
promotes healthy digestion. Promotes healthy and trouble-free
digestion and digestive balance. |
