| How to Get Rid of Gas Posted: 16 Jun 2018 01:00 AM PDT While gas is completely normal, excessive bloating, belching, and flatulence can be uncomfortable, painful, and frustrating. If you experience persistent problems, try to figure out which foods give you trouble, and cut them out of your diet. Exercise can stimulate your digestive system, and a gentle walk after meals could help reduce gas buildup. There are also lots of medications for gas. Since they work in different ways, you'll need to choose a medicine that's designed to relieve your particular symptoms.[1] EditChanging Your Diet - Try to keep track of which foods cause your symptoms. If you routinely experience gas pains and bloating, keep a log of everything you eat and drink. When you have symptoms, check your log and note foods that might be giving you trouble. Then see if cutting those foods from your diet helps.[2]
- For example, you might pass gas excessively and feel bloated after eating a big bowl of ice cream. Limiting or cutting dairy products could provide relief.
- Foods affect people differently, so try to find out what's causing your issues. You might find that all common gas-causing foods give you trouble, or that 1 or 2 items cause your symptoms.
- Cut 1 food group at a time from your diet to find the culprit. The most common gas-causing foods contain hard-to-digest carbohydrates, fiber, and lactose. Try cutting dairy products from your diet for a week, and see if your symptoms improve. If you're still gassy, try avoiding beans, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.[3]
- If you still experiencing gas, try reducing your fiber intake. See if cutting down on whole grains and bran helps.
- Avoid items that contain sorbitol, such as gum, candy, and soft drinks. Sorbitol is an artificial sweetener that causes gas. While sorbitol can make you gassy on its own, products that contain it often cause or worsen gas in other ways.[4]
- For example, carbonated beverages cause gas, and soft drinks that contain sorbitol can be even harder on your digestive system.
- Swallowing air can cause bloating, and you swallow more air when you chew gum and suck on hard candies. You might be even more gassy if your chewing gum or candy contains sorbitol.
- Stay away from beans, vegetables, and fruits that cause gas. Beans and some fruits and veggies contain carbohydrates that are hard to digest. Avoid or eat less broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, apples, pears, prunes, and prune juice.[5]
- Fruits and veggies are an important part of a healthy diet, so don't cut them out entirely. Instead, go for options that are easier to digest, such as lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, avocados, berries, and grapes.
- To make beans easier to digest, soak them in warm water for at least an hour before cooking them. Be sure to discard the soaking water and cook them in fresh water.
- Work on cutting fatty foods from your diet. Do your best to avoid greasy, high-fat foods, which can slow digestion and cause gas buildup. Examples include fatty cuts of red meat, processed meats (such as bacon), and fried foods. Swap these for leaner, more digestible items, like poultry, seafood, egg whites, and easy-to-digest fruits and veggies.[6]
- Chew your food thoroughly before swallowing. Larger particles of food are harder to digest, so chew your food until it's liquefied. Additionally, the more you chew, the more saliva you produce. Saliva contains digestive enzymes, which break down your bites and make your meals easier to digest.[7]
- Take smaller bites and chew at least 30 times, or until the food feels like a mushy paste.
- Take your time when you eat and drink. Scarfing down food and gulping drinks sends more air into your digestive system. Swallowing air is a common cause of gas, so do your best to eat slowly and take smaller sips of your beverages.[8]
- Additionally, try not to talk while eating or chew with your mouth open. You'll swallow less air if you keep your mouth closed as you chew.
EditStaying Physically Active - Exercise for 30 minutes daily to improve your digestion. Regular exercise gets your blood pumping, engages your core muscles, and can improve your overall digestive health. Upright aerobic exercises are your best options, so walk, jog, run, or ride your bike daily.[9]
- Do your best to breathe in through your nose while exercising, even if you're winded. Remember that swallowing air through your mouth can lead to gas and cramping.
- Walk for 10 to 15 minutes after eating. Regular exercise is important, but a light walk after meals is especially helpful. Walking will help send your meal smoothly on its way down your digestive tract. Hard exercise could make you nauseous, so be sure to stick to an easy pace.[10]
- Limit the amount of time you spend lying down. While your digestive system still works while you're lying down, gas passes through your system more easily when you're sitting up and standing. To prevent and relieve gas buildup, avoid lying down after meals. Do your best to lie in a horizontal position only when you go to sleep.[11]
- Your sleeping position can also affect gas buildup in your digestive system. Try to sleep on your left side. This can improve digestion, reduce acid buildup, and help gas pass more easily through your body.[12]
EditTaking Medications for Gas - Take an antacid for heartburn pain in your upper abdomen. If you experience pain and burning in your upper stomach or chest area, you might be suffering from heartburn. Try taking an over-the-counter antacid about an hour before eating. Avoid taking an antacid with a meal.[13]
- Use any medication according to the label's instructions. Talk to your doctor before taking an antacid regularly if you have kidney or heart disease, are on a low-sodium diet, or take any prescription medications.
- Choose a foaming agent for stomach gas. Simethicone is a foaming agent found in brand medications such as Alka-Seltzer, Gas-X, and Mylanta. These medications might be your best option if you experience bloating or gas pains in the middle of your stomach area. However, they don't have any effect on intestinal gas, or pain and bloating in your lower abdomen.[14]
- Take a medication that contains simethicone 2 to 4 times a day after meals and at bedtime, or according to the label's instructions.[15]
- Go with an enzyme medication for intestinal, or lower belly, gas. There are several types of enzymatic medicines that can relieve intestinal gas by helping you digest sugars more easily. Medications that contain the enzyme alpha-galactosidase, such as the brand Beano, help your body process gas-causing beans, fruits, and vegetables. If dairy products give you trouble, try taking a digestive aid that contains lactase, such as Lactaid.[16]
- Most enzyme digestive aids should be added to food just before you take the first bite. Follow the directions on your product's label if you use a digestive aid.
- Heat can break down enzymes, so only add digestive aids after food is finished cooking.
- Try taking activated charcoal pills for intestinal gas. A typical dose is 2 to 4 tablets with a full glass of water about an hour before eating and again after a meal. While there's mixed evidence about its effectiveness, activated charcoal might help relieve intestinal gas, or bloating in your lower abdomen.[17]
- Consult your doctor before using activated charcoal if you take any prescription medications. Activated charcoal can affect how your body absorbs medicines.[18]
- Discuss prescription medications with your doctor. See your doctor if you can't manage persistent stomach problems with nonprescription medications and dietary changes. Tell them about your symptoms, diet, and bathroom habits. Depending on your specific issues, they might recommend a prescription-strength antacid, simethicone product, or laxative.[19]
- Talking about digestive issues and bathroom habits can feel embarrassing. Remember that your doctor is there to help you. Being honest will help them come up with the best treatment plan.
- Avoid taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, for gas pain. These medications can irritate the stomach and worsen gas pains.[20]
- See your doctor if you experience severe pain, have unexplained weight loss, find blood in your stool, or have less than 3 bowel movements per week. Painful or chronic gas can also indicate an underlying medical condition, such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).[21]
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Make a Grapefruit Smoothie Posted: 15 Jun 2018 05:00 PM PDT The ingredients in this smoothie including grapefruit, strawberries, apple, ginger, and water are know for their great health benefits. Grapefruit can lower cancer risks[1], strawberries can reduce inflammation, ginger can aid nausea[2], apples can reduce diabetes risks[3][4], and water helps hydrate our bodies[5]. This smoothie is a powerhouse for the body. EditIngredients - 1 grapefruit
- 2 cups (145 g) strawberries
- chopped ginger
- 1 apple
- water
- Cut the grapefruit into cubes or slices. Remove the skin, either with your hands or a knife, then chop the grapefruit into slices and cut it into cubes.
- Chop the apple. Cut the apple into small cubes with a knife however, don't remove the skin as it contains many nutrients (e.g. fiber)[6].
- Chop the strawberries. Quarter the strawberries by cutting them in half vertically and horizontally. Decide if you want to remove the leaves or use them.
- Add ingredients into blender. Add in the chopped grapefruit, strawberries, apple, ginger, and water into the blender.
- Blend the ingredients. Once all the ingredients are added, blend on high for a minute, or until the smoothie is smooth and lump-free.
- Pour into a glass. Distribute the smoothie into a drinking glass.
- Serve. Pop a straw into the smoothie and enjoy!
- Since this smoothie is not very sweet add in a ripe banana or dates for a hint of sweetness.
- Throw in some chia seeds or hemp hearts for even more healthy nutrients.
- Avoid adding refined sugar into this smoothie as it will make the smoothie less healthy.
- Reuse the grapefruit peel by making a facial mask or even tea. However, you'll have to get organic grapefruits without pesticides if you choose to do this.
- Replace the water with almond milk for a more creamy smoothie.
- Pour the smoothie into a mason jar cup to take it on the go.
EditThings You'll Need - Knife
- Blender
- Serving glass
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Test Fluorescent Bulbs Posted: 15 Jun 2018 09:00 AM PDT A flickering or dead fluorescent bulb can be a nuisance and it may be time to replace it. Before going out to purchase a new bulb, ensure the bulb is the main problem. By checking for surface-level issues, cleaning the parts, and looking at the electronics, you can determine whether you have an easy fix or a trip to the hardware store. EditLooking for Surface Issues - Look for dark areas at the base of the bulb. When bulbs age and have been used for a long time, brown spots will appear. If darkness begins to form at the ends of the tube, the bulb may be near its end. While they may still light, they are wearing out and will die soon.
- If the darkness only forms on one end of a tube light, flip the tube so the darkened end is on the opposite side of the fixture.
- If darkness forms on one side of the tube, rotate the tube by 180 degrees from how it used to sit.[1]
- Inspect the pins at the end of the bulbs. The pins of the electrode connect the light bulb to the power source. If the pins are bent or misaligned, use needle-nose pliers to straighten them before returning them to the fixture.[2]
- Test the bulb in a working fixture. Remove the bulb from the fixture in question and test it in another lamp. If the problem lies within the lamp, the bulb should work in a separate fixture.
- If testing tube lights, be sure to test both bulbs even if only one is out. Currents travel between both tubes and either could be causing the problem.[3]
EditChecking the Electrical Components - Check your electrical panel box. Ensure the circuit is not broken. If the breaker has been tripped, push the switch entirely to the off position, and flip the switch back on. Test the lamp again to see if it lights.[4]
- Test the electrodes using a multimeter. Using a multimeter will determine if the electrodes still hold conductivity. If the electrodes are not intact, the bulb will not have a current running through it.[5] Place the probes on both pins of the tube light to get an accurate reading.
- If there is no reading on the multimeter, the bulbs should be replaced.
- Replace the starter on the bulb if problems persist. Older fluorescent fixtures will have small metal cylinders called 'starters' on the ends. The starter ignites the gas within the bulb and is crucial for lighting the bulb.[6] Many hardware stores will carry replacements for only a few dollars.
- Note the wattage of the bulb to ensure the correct starter is purchased.
- Old starters look no different than new starters, so throw away any starters that have gone bad.
EditCleaning the Bulb - Wiggle the bulb in its socket. Rocking the bulb back and forth in small motions can help loosen corrosion and dust that may have gathered near the socket. Clean any leftover residue with a fresh paper towel.
- Make sure the power is turned off to avoid any electrical damage.
- Wipe the bulb with a cloth soaked in dish detergent. Some bulbs will not light if they are covered in dirt or dust. Remove the bulb and gently use a cloth on the surface. When finished, wipe the soap clean with another cloth soaked in water.[7]
- Be careful handling a fluorescent tube. They're fragile and have potential to break into shards.
- Scrub the pins of the electrode with a fine sandpaper. Clear away any corrosion or residue as you rub the pins. Small particles like these restrict the electric current and may be the source of your trouble. Use a cloth or paper towel to remove any loose particles before returning the bulb to the fixture.[8]
- If the bulb still does not light, the gas may have leaked out and the bulb will need to be replaced.
- When working with electronics, make sure the power source is off to avoid electric shock.
EditSources and Citations
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