Better out than in? Or the other way around? The air you swallow and some of the food you love cause excess gas inside your body which you’ll have to pass later on, hopefully not when everyone else is around to smell it. Even though everyone passes gas anyway, you still want to avoid it as much as you can because having gas in your stomach brings discomfort, and sometimes embarrassment, when let out at a wrong time. Know the helpful facts about having gas so you will know what to do the next time you have it.

Swallow less air. When you eat fast, you swallow more air. And when you drink a lot of carbonated drinks like your favorite soda, you’re sure to stock some gas inside you. Limit your chewing gums and hard candies. When flatulence becomes a bit serious, it’s advisable that you take note of what you eat so you’ll determine which gives you the gas. Raw vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage, beans and legumes, and carbohydrates such as sugar, starches and fiber let you produce extra gas in your body. Limit these foods if your gas is proving to be a problem already.

Over-the-Counter Drugs: But make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to these drugs. So consult with your doctor first.

When raw vegetables, beans, or carbs give you excess gas, medicine such as activated charcoal capsules help absorb intestinal gas and neutralize odor as well. Antacids that have simethicone can help you release your gas more comfortably.

Know when to consult with your doctor: When your gas symptoms become a bit more uncomfortable than you can bear, it may be time to see a doctor. Frequent gas pains might be caused by a disorder in the intestines and this needs treatment.