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The TMI Zone: Can Gas Hurt You?

Gas is one of those “TMI zone” issues people deal with every day.

It’s just part of the human condition. Everyone “emits” gas anywhere from 14-20 times a day. For the most part, it’s no big deal…

Recently, I had a reader ask me what would happen if he tried to hold onto his gas for an extended time at work when he couldn’t take a break, especially if his excessive gas was typically smelly. (You were warned this was a “TMI zone!”)

It’s not an unusual question!

Not surprisingly, this is a very common and stinky problem people search on Google for guidance, especially in the workplace.

In fact, a federal employee working for the Social Security Administration was reprimanded by his manager for excessive gas emissions that created a “hostile work environment” in his office.

Hostile sounds pretty appropriate, given 60 episodes were documented over 17 days in a story that made national headlines several years ago.

The real health issues

Some believe holding back on gas could create its own set of health issues. Fact is, excessive gas, as experienced by this federal employee, could be a sign that diverticulitis could be a problem too.

That extra gas may be creating other issues, like problems with your stools (a lack of consistency or the presence of blood), a change in the frequency of your bowel movements and even nausea and vomiting.

And, it could also be a warning sign that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux are real problems that must be dealt with right away.

What can you do?

So, if holding back isn’t a great solution, how do you reduce intestinal gas?

For starters, you may have heard about FODMAPs, the kinds of carbohydrates contained in some dairy products, fruits and vegetables, sweeteners, legumes and wheat.

Some people have a harder time tolerating these kinds of carbs which creates the opportunity for more gas, so you’ll want to work with your doctor on a healthier, less gassy diet that’s better for you.

SLOW DOWN when you’re drinking fluids and eating meals, especially big ones.

That may also mean cutting back on consuming so many sugary sweet carbonated drinks, including diet beverages made with artificial sweeteners that harm your gut health in many other ways.

Are you having a hard time tracking what you’re eating in your head on a daily basis? Maintaining a food diary on paper (here’s a free worksheet from the National Institutes of Health) or on your cell phone is an easy way to stay on the right side of good health.

A simple solution for this “TMI Zone” issue of extra stomach gas: Take a probiotic made with 10 species and 20 billion CFUs of beneficial bacteria and a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria in your gut like EndoMune Advanced Probiotic.

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