Mom's Gas!

One of my sisters had this very same issue. We used to tease her mercilessly (I am embarrassed to admit). We would not, and I mean NOT believe it was related to her second child. However...since her hysterectomy (due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding) she has not had an attack of gas in one year, so I am inclined to believe it is somehow related to her pregnancy. I cannot explain it and when I was in a pathophisiology class last year my teacher could not explain it either but did say that "anectdotal information" supports that this is true. Whoa...Do with that what you may. Maybe hormonal, but no one has a study published on it.

Try probiotics, like accidophilus and lactobaccilus, to get the good bacteria back in check and able to fight bad bacteria.

I had terrible diahrrea and gas to go along with it, (IBS) after my gallbadder surgery,... continuing 10 years. Then recently I had a new root canal and it seemed infected. The Dentist gave me MEGA doses of broad spectrum antibiotic, and it wiped out my IBS. I must have had a virulent bacterial infection in the gut (even though I had my stool tested a year earlier and the result was normal) .

Gas is created from the breakdown of material, including material that pathogens are ingesting and releasing. Bacterial infections and parasites can cause excessive gas. Pathogenic yeast overgrowth called candida, creates large amounts of gas due to rapid fermentation when it eats sugars (think of when it's raising bread dough.) What does candida love? Milk sugars especially, and other carbs, including high fructose corn syrup.

Carbs that don't get fully broken down in the small intestine by pancreatic enzymes move into the large intestine and get further broken down by bacteria. Possibly the introduction of pancreatic enzymes can help with the gas too.

Go online and look up candida overgrowth. Caprylic acid and GSE are suppose to be effective in fighting it, along with many others. I think with the american diet nowadays, most people have candida overgrowth. Drastically reducing or eliminating cow's milk could give you a good initial response.

It will probably go away in time. I have the opposite problem...and get all my relief when I'm pregnant. Have you tried mixing baking soda into some of your foods. I've even heard that drinking a tea steeped with ginger will help. Of course, I have noticed that many of my digestive issues (I have Crohn's) have subsided a great deal since I started drinking a bottle of water with the new "Greens to Go" in it everyday. If you want to try it, it will take about a week and half of drinking it everyday for you to notice any differences. I'm sold on it. You can only find it at Costco and Sam's Club right now. And it's not the cheapest thing at $1 a pack. Costco carries a 30 day package. Of course they have a coupon running right now for $4 off. Don't know if it would help, but it has helped me.

Strong brewed chamomile tea is the best remedy for gas I know. It's caffeine free so you can drink as much as you like. Drink it while still very warm. Celestial Seasoning makes an apple chamomile tea that is my favorite.

i recommend probiotics and enyzmes to help get your digestive system back on track. I take them every day and the gas pains and bloating I used to get are gone. It also keeps you regular and keeps your immune system strong. For the Probiotics: I buy mine from Vitacost.com online and use their NSI brand which has 15 different strains for keeping various things in your body healthy. The enzymes we take are by Source Naturals and are called Daily Essential Enzymes. As we get older our body doesn't make as many enzymes and in fact the enzyme to digest milk/dairy properly is gone after the age of 2. Which is why so many people have trouble with lactose. Cut out dairy for a week and see if that helps. Use a non-dairy milk substitute, such as rice, almond or soy milk. Another place where they are reasonable is Vitamin Shoppe. And for the other person below: Greens To Go are also available at both places above as well as Whole Foods, Not just at Costco or Sams. It's a natural organic product, so $1 a serving sure beats the pain and being susceptible to colds and such. It keeps you healthy so of course it costs more. But not as much as going to the doctor and continually needing prescription drugs which often times cause more damage to our bodies than they are worth.

I had the same problem after my third child and it ended up that my gallbadder was not functioning properly (which is really common after multiple pregnancies). I had it removed and after a few months it improved. My other symptoms were bloating, back/shoulder aches and upset stomach. Even now I am sensitive to gassy foods, I am leaning towards the probiotics too, I figure it can't hurt!

I too was very gassy after having my 3rd child. It lasted for several months, and although it's not as constant as it once was, I still am "breaking wind" most days. After reading the other responses, I think I am going to try some probiotics myself.

Have had the same problem since #2 came along 1 year ago. Heard that high fructose corn syrup can cause this. I try to keep away from the stuff but just recently read on the label of the candy bar I like that it is in it. Not sure if that is an issue for you or not.

I'm right there with you! My friend and I were joking about this the other day, when both of us farted while chatting. When I was pregnant, I was very gassy and I'm not sure if I just got used to not holding it in since it's pretty much expected from a pregnant woman or if my toots are just much more prevalent now. Either way, I've just been trying to make a more concious effort to hold them in until I'm somewhere appropriate. If you're experiencing painful gas and nothing OTC is working, talk to your doctor. Otherwise, just blame it on the dog/cat/husband/baby/tuba player next door. :-) Good luck!