Gas problems

Chronic gas can be a symptom of an underlying digestive condition like irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance.

Gas, bloating, and stool problems are a constant battle for many people; often the symptoms are related to diet, but there are some more serious medical conditions that may be the culprit.

Most people know that onions and beans can cause gas, but what most people don't suspect are fruits, sodas, and milk. Fructose (a sugar found in fruits and sodas) and lactose (a sugar found in dairy products) are common causes of gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.

Lactose intolerance is extremely common. It is estimated that most of Indian adults have some degree of lactose intolerance. Certain racial and ethnic populations are more affected than others.

Fructose intolerance is also common, but less recognized. A study found that nearly half of normal people get gas from fructose. This common fruit sugar is found in fruit juice and is used as a sweetener in some soft drinks.

Experts suggest that you keep a diary of foods that you eat and their relation to your symptoms and take that information to your doctor. Careful review of diet and the amount of gas passed may help relate specific foods to symptoms and determine the severity of the problem.

In addition, there are tests your doctor can perform to diagnose lactose and fructose intolerance. In fact, because of how common it is, it is suggested that people with these symptoms should get breath tests to see if fructose is the root cause of the problem.

But other researchers think that many cases of gas, bloating, and bathroom problems may be related to another condition: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

In a survey of more than 650 people diagnosed with gas problems, it was found that the majority had IBS; and these people were getting no relief from medications.

Indeed, IBS is one of the most common intestinal disorders, and can be difficult to diagnose. For many people, the symptoms alternate frequently. While gas and bloating are the constants, there may be abdominal pain or discomfort, plus altered bowel habits; people may be constipated one week, have diarrhea the next, or have a sudden urge to have a bowel movement. The pattern varies from person to person.

Experts don't know the exact cause of IBS, but suspect it may be triggered by stress, hormones, and nerve signal disruptions in the brain.

Many people with mild cases don't ever see a doctor for their problem. There's much controversy about whether this is a real disease. It's all about spastic colon. For some reason, in some people, the colon starts behaving erratically.

Certain medications can "calm" the spasms that cause colon problems. Antidepressants seem to help control the pain. Pain, antidiarrheal, and anti-gas medications are available over the counter.

But it was found that these work for only one-third of gas-and-bloating sufferers. Most people try to figure it all out on a trial-and-error basis. Most patients alter their diets: if they have constipation, they start eating a lot of fiber; if they have diarrhea they stop drinking coffee, stop eating beans.

For some people, it's a quality-of-life issue. Some people have been suffering for a year. Some don't 'go' for weeks at a time. Some have had to miss a lot of workdays. People are suffering. The pharmaceutical companies need to get products developed for these people.

The worst-case scenario: gas and bloating might signal colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, but people with those conditions usually also experience weight loss, blood in the stool, and anemia.