Flatulence

[Molly Kaplan]

Hello,
I'm a sprout of a nineteen year old who has recently been plagued with the most pernicious flatulence of her life. She became vegan in the last six months, but the farting began about three weeks ago. They are silent and painless little bursts of air with the most foul smell. I've able to clear entire rooms.
I first noticed the gas (although this is not necessarily the cause) after eating a fruit kanten (the vegan form of jello made with an agar) for desert 5 days in a row. True, I do eat a considerable amount of beans, but I notice the gas even when I don't eat beans. The bursts of gas can run almost uninterrupted for hours in a day and are killing my social life.
I was curious about a possible cause and very much want to know how to kill the bacteria that are probably causing these releases in a natural way without taking any medication. Would a day of fasting help? A week of no beans?
I should also say that three years ago I had IBS, and although I haven't had a problem with it since, I was wondering if there could a connection.
Thanks so much.

-Molly

[Joanne]

Molly, pls ignore Leon.

The following is from personal experience:

I'm 25 y/o and I developed the same problem about 10 years ago.  In my case, it's a hereditary problem.
I am not quite sure of the cause, but I avoid starchy foods, because they make the problem worse.
I have had terrible luck with doctors, but here is my advice:

1. Go to a gastro-enterologist.  
   I know that this is an embarassing problem, but a specialist
   may be able to help you.
   Be careful, if you have an HMO and one of those primary-
   care physicans, you may have some trouble getting a referral.
   If you have problems, INSIST.  Take a parent along if you
   have to.  

2. Do not take any drugs before you have had some diagnostic tests done. You may need to go on a special diet to find out if you are allergic to any particular food or food group, or have some stool samples diagnosed or something.  But taking drugs first is a bad idea (this is my opinion).

3. If you want to do something by yourself, try this technique:
   a. pick a bland food like plain rice or tofu.
   b. eat this food for a few days.  If you feel better, then this food is probably ok.
   c. add foods one by one until you figure out what may be causing problems for you.
   * this works if you do not eat complex foods, like sandwiches or casseroles

4. Natural things that work for me (most of the time).  
   a. not eating late at night.
   b. avoiding starchy foods.
   c. peppermint/simethicone capsules. be careful, too many of these can act like a minty laxative!

5. Other natural stuff:
   1. beano - tried it, not much difference
   2. charcoal caps - not much difference, made poop black. yuck.
   3. chlorophyll - ok. made p*** green.  odor control seemed to be minimal, but kind of effective.


Keep in mind, that digestive problems can be caused my many reasons: antibiotic use, stress, diet change, allergies, heredity

Read about your problem, be informed, and see a SPECIALIST, not a regular doctor.


Good luck,

I know exactly how you feel,

joanne