Gas and Acid Reflux

Talking about having gas may be politically incorrect, but in extreme cases of gas and acid reflux you may want to visit your physician to rule out some more serious ailment like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What Is Flatulence (gas)?

Let's talk about gas and acid reflux a bit or to be more politically correct, flatulation and acid reflux. First of all, if you have a human body, you are blessed with a digestive tract and you will have gas (flatulation). You are born with it and you will die with it. It may be politically incorrect to talk about it and it is certainly the butt of a host of jokes. Everyone has it and everyone does it, even kings and queens.

On the average we pass gas fifteen to twenty times a day depending on our diet, sometimes in our sleep. The gas is a combination of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen, most of the time it is odorless. When it isn't, it smells like rotten eggs.

As embarrassing as it is, it is natural. The large intestine creates hydrogen sulfide (the rotten egg smell) when bacteria in the colon break down carbohydrates left over and passed from the small intestine. The smell is the result of fermenting carbohydrates. A small amount of methane, hydrogen and another sulfide gas are also created.

Surprisingly, the unmistakably foul smelling odor produced is a very small amount, about one percent of the total gas our digestive system produces. When it becomes excessive, such as with gas and acid reflux, and is accompanied by constipation, vomiting or weight loss you should consult your physician.

As for the sound the gas produces, it depends on the force with which it is expelled. The pressure with which the gas is expelled causes the anal sphincter to vibrate which creates that unmistakable sound. Not being a socially acceptable bodily function you can hold it, remove yourself from the scene or suffer the consequences.

Gas and Acid Reflux

I realize this may all seem a little on the comical side, but that is only because of our conditioning. Flatulence is a symptom of acid reflux and GERD. Excessive flatulence may be cause for concern and you should consult with your physician.

Gas and acid reflux go hand-in-hand. Most all foods contribute to the making of gas in the intestines. Just chewing your food, drinking soda water, or smoking can create gas in the digestive tract. Wearing tight clothing hinders food digestion and contributes to gas and acid reflux.

If the gas is not released through belching or flatulence, it can cause bloating. The bloating can be more than uncomfortable and can cause mild or severe pain.

The Mayo Clinic suggests that you eat less fatty foods, identify those foods that cause the gas and limit or eliminate them from your diet, eat slowly, and maybe take a walk after you eat.

If you experience bloody stool, diarrhea or constipation, weight loss, nausea or vomiting with excessive flatulence seek out a physician. It could well be symptoms of severe acid reflux or GERD.

As the Mayo Clinic notes, "Intestinal symptoms can be embarrassing - but don't let embarrassment keep you from seeking help."

These symptoms can be treated holistically without over the counter drugs or expensive prescriptions. If you are a victim of excessive flatulence, consider the fact that your body has the capacity to heal itself and you have a lot to say about how that is accomplished.

Sometimes it takes small changes in our daily routines and habits to rid ourselves of annoying and sometimes painful symptoms.