about Gas

What I need to know

about Gas

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

U.S. Department

of Health and

Human Services
What I need to know

about Gas

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Contents

Why do I have gas?.................................................. 1

What can I do about gas? ....................................... 2

Points to Remember................................................ 6
Why do I have gas?

Everyone has gas. Burping or passing gas through

the rectum is normal. Because it is embarrassing

to burp or pass gas, many people believe they pass

gas too often or have too much gas. It is rare for a

person to have too much gas.

Most of the time gas is odorless. The odor comes

from sulfur made by bacteria in the large intestine.

Sometimes gas causes bloating and pain. Not

everyone has these symptoms. How much gas the

body makes and how sensitive a person is to gas in

the large intestine have an effect on how uncomfortable having gas is.

1
What can I do about gas?

Changing what you eat and drink can help prevent

or relieve gas. If you feel like you have too much

gas, you might want to try these things before going

to the doctor.

1. Cut down on foods that cause gas.

The amount of gas caused by certain foods varies

from person to person. The only way to know your

own limits is through trial and error. These are

some foods that cause gas:

● beans

● vegetables such as

broccoli, cabbage,

brussels sprouts,

onions, artichokes,

and asparagus

● fruits such as

pears, apples,

and peaches

2
● whole grains such as whole wheat

and bran

● soft drinks and fruit drinks

● milk and milk products,

such as cheese and ice

cream

● packaged foods that have

lactose in them, such as

bread, cereal, and salad

dressing

● dietetic foods and sugarfree candies and gums

3
2. Drink plenty of water, non-“fizzy” liquids,

and clear soup.

Try not to drink liquids that

cause gas, like soda and

beer. If you do drink these

liquids, pour them into a

glass first to let some of the

“fizz” out.

3. Reduce the amount of air you swallow.

Here are some ways to avoid swallowing air:

● Eat slower and chew more to cut

down on the amount of air you

swallow when you eat.

● Avoid chewing gum and

eating hard candy.

● If you smoke, try to cut down

or quit.

● If you have false teeth, see your

dentist to make sure they fit right.

4
4. Keep a diary.

Write down the foods (and the amounts) that seem

to cause you the most problems. Also keep track

of the number of times you pass gas.

If you are still troubled by gas, you may want to see

your doctor. Take your diary with you to help you

answer the doctor’s questions about eating habits

and symptoms.

5
Points to Remember

● Everyone has gas in the digestive tract.

● People often think they pass too much gas when

they don’t.

● Passing gas frequently is normal.

● Two ways to reduce the amount of gas you have

are to

– cut down on the foods that cause gas

– reduce the amount of air you swallow

6
National Digestive Diseases

Information Clearinghouse

2 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892–3570

Phone: 1–800–891–5389 or (301) 654–3810

Fax: (301) 907–8906

Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov

Internet: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov

The National Digestive Diseases Information

Clearinghouse (NDDIC) is a service of the National

Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

(NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes

of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services. Established in 1980, the clearinghouse

provides information about digestive diseases to people

with digestive disorders and to their families, health care

professionals, and the public. NDDIC answers inquiries,

develops and distributes publications, and works closely

with professional and patient organizations and

Government agencies to coordinate resources about

digestive diseases.

Publications produced by the clearinghouse are carefully

reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts.

This publication is not copyrighted. The clearinghouse

encourages users of this booklet to duplicate and

distribute as many copies as desired.

This booklet is also available at www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov.
National Institute of Diabetes and 

Digestive and Kidney Diseases

NIH Publication No. 04–4156

January 2004

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health