Every individual has gas and gets rid of it by either burping or passing it through the rectum. However it is not normal to pass gas more than a few times a day and if a person is doing the same (passing a lot of gas) then something is definitely wrong and should seek medical attention or take further steps to try and ease themselves.

Usually people generate close to 2 to 3 pints in a day and pass air (either burping or through the rectum) around 10 – 15 times a day. The gas generated by the body is an accumulation of odorless vapors which include carbon dioxide expelled from the blood, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen and in some instances methane as well. In case there is an odour this can be attributed to the bacteria present in the large intestine which also release small amounts of gas.

Having gas is uncomfortable, embarrassing and is one of the most common problems faced by every human being at some point or the other during their life time. Identifying and dealing with the causes aids in reducing the gas and helps in treating it effectively. So what causes excess gas in our system? It could be due to air that is swallowed or due to the bacteria that are acting on unbroken food in the large intestine. Now that we know what causes the gas how do we go about dealing with it. It all starts with first identifying the cause if it is due to too much of air that is being swallowed then one should take precautions to avoid chewing gum and hard candy.

Avoid eating and drinking rapidly as this would lead to small amounts of air to be gulped down unconsciously. Smoking should also be avoided as smokers tend to pull in more air which is swallowed. If the gas is due to undigested foods it is important to consult a physician and identify the types of food that is causing the problem. Avoid milk based products as for some they are hard to digest. Avoid foods with carbohydrates proteins and fats as this tends to cause minor gas problems.