How Do You Get Rid Of Gas In The Elderly?

Passing gas is a common term for the release of air through the rectum. Most people pass gas at least 14 times a day. This is usually normal. But, older adults often find they pass more gas than before.

This could be because their metabolism slows down, their stomach acid decreases, and their digestive muscles weaken with age. Other reasons include not having enough digestive enzymes, certain medicines, and what they eat.

Key Takeaways

Aging can lead to more flatulence due to a slower metabolism, weaker digestive muscles, and less stomach acid.

Drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and avoiding dairy if you’re lactose intolerant can help ease gas.
Certain veggies, fizzy drinks, and some medicines can make gas worse in older people.
Over-the-counter options like alpha-galactosidase and simethicone might help some people feel better.

Changing your habits, like eating slowly, not chewing gum, and eating fewer foods with sulfur, can also help manage gas and smell.

Understanding Flatulence in the Elderly

Causes of Increased Gas in Aging

As we age, our digestive system changes, leading to more gas. A healthy person may pass gas five to 15 times a day. On average, adults release about two liters of gases like methane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide daily.

Older adults often have more gas due to metabolic changes. These changes include less stomach acid and slower digestion. This means food stays in the gut longer, causing more gas.

Also, older people have less muscle and more fat, which can increase flatulence. Some medicines for older folks can cause constipation, leading to bloating and gas. Not moving around much can also build up gas in the body.

Changes in gas levels can signal health issues. These include bloating, pain, diarrhea, weight loss, or changes in appetite.

Cause of Increased Gas in Aging	Impact on Digestive System
Decreased stomach acid production	Slower digestion and gas buildup
Reduced muscle mass, increased fat content	Contributes to flatulence
Constipation-inducing medications	Leads to bloating and gas retention
Decreased physical activity	Results in gas build-up in the body

Knowing why older people have more gas is key to managing it. By addressing these issues, seniors can feel better and keep their digestive system healthy.

Dietary Changes to Reduce Elderly Gas

Making some dietary changes can help ease gas in the elderly. Avoiding foods high in fiber like beans, broccoli, and whole grains can cut down on gas. Also, reducing dairy and fried or fatty foods can help. Staying hydrated and chewing food well can move gas through your system better.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders says most people pass gas 8–14 times a day. Some may pass it up to 25 times daily. Foods like beans, lentils, asparagus, and broccoli can cause gas. As people age, many have trouble digesting milk products.

To find out which foods cause gas, keeping a food diary and trying foods one by one helps. Changing your lifestyle, avoiding certain foods, using digestive enzymes, and reducing swallowed air can also lessen gas in the elderly.

Foods to Avoid for Senior Gas	Foods to Eat to Reduce Flatulence in the Elderly
Beans, lentils, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage	Low-fiber fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, probiotics
Fructose, lactose, oat bran, peas, corn, pasta, potatoes, sorbitol, whole grains	Ginger, peppermint, chamomile, fennel, peppermint tea

By changing their diet and lifestyle, seniors can better manage their gas and improve their digestion.

How Do You Get Rid Of Gas In The Elderly

Over-the-Counter Remedies

Changing your diet can help, but there are also over-the-counter products for older adults. Alpha-galactosidase supplements like Beano help break down carbohydrates that cause gas. Lactase supplements are for those who can’t digest lactose well. Simethicone, found in products like Gas-X, helps gas bubbles pass more easily. Activated charcoal supplements are also used, but their effectiveness varies.

Some over-the-counter remedies can interact with medicines or have side effects, especially for seniors. Always talk to a healthcare professional before trying new supplements or medicines. And always follow the instructions closely.

Over-the-Counter Gas Relief for Seniors	How They Work
Alpha-galactosidase (Beano)	Helps break down gas-producing carbohydrates
Lactase supplements (Lactaid)	Aids in digesting lactose for the lactose intolerant
Simethicone (Gas-X)	Helps break up gas bubbles for easier passage
Activated charcoal	Mixed evidence on effectiveness for gas relief

It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional, especially for seniors, before using over-the-counter gas relief treatments. This ensures they are used safely and effectively.

Lifestyle Modifications for Gas Relief

Dealing with gas in older adults is not just about food and medicine. Making some lifestyle changes can also help. These changes can ease gas pains and help with senior flatulence.

Staying active through exercise is a good start. It helps with digestion and stops constipation, which can make gas worse. Also, avoid chewing gum, drinking through straws, and eating too fast. These actions can bring in extra air, which adds to gas problems.

Having dentures that fit well is also important. It stops extra air from getting in, which is a common cause of gas in seniors. With dentures that fit right, eating and drinking won’t make you swallow as much air.

Lifestyle Change	Potential Benefits
Regular exercise	Improves digestion and prevents constipation
Avoiding air-swallowing behaviors	Reduces intake of unwanted air that can contribute to gas
Properly fitted dentures	Minimizes excess air intake during eating and drinking

By adding these lifestyle changes to diet and medicine, older adults can manage gas better. This approach helps with gas pains and senior flatulence.

When to See a Doctor

Experiencing a lot of gas can be tough, especially for older adults. Gas is normal, but if it’s a lot or doesn’t stop, you might need to see a doctor. If you’re an older person dealing with excessive gas, watch out for other symptoms.

If you’re an elderly person with excessive gas, see a doctor if you notice:

Severe abdominal pain
Unexpected weight loss

Blood in your stool
Changes in your bowel habits

Your doctor will check you out, look at your health history, and might do more tests. This is key if the gas is bad or you have other symptoms.

“Excessive farting in the elderly can be caused by various factors, including swallowing more air than usual, consuming foods that are difficult to digest, and certain medications such as NSAIDs, statins, and laxatives.”

Gas is common, but it’s smart to be careful with your health. If you’re having severe flatulence in seniors or other issues, get medical advice. Your doctor can figure out what’s wrong and help you feel better.

Conclusion

Managing gas and flatulence in the elderly can be done with diet changes, over-the-counter remedies, and lifestyle tweaks. By choosing wisely what we eat and how we eat, many seniors can ease their gas issues. This helps keep their digestive health in check.

Important tips for seniors include watching out for foods high in fiber or FODMAPs, chewing food well, and eating and drinking slowly. Over-the-counter products and regular exercise also help manage gas. But, if gas doesn’t go away or is severe, seeing a healthcare provider is key to check for other health problems.

By being proactive and understanding how to manage gas in the elderly, we can help older adults improve their digestive health. With the right strategies, seniors can tackle this common issue. This way, they can enjoy a better quality of life.

FAQ

What causes increased gas and flatulence in the elderly?

Aging can slow down the metabolism and reduce stomach acid production. It can also weaken the muscles in the digestive system. These changes can lead to more gas and flatulence. Some medications and a lack of digestive enzymes can also cause gas to build up.

How can dietary changes help reduce gas in the elderly?

Eating fewer high-fiber foods like beans, broccoli, and whole grains can help. Reducing dairy products and eating less fried or fatty foods can also make a difference. These changes can decrease gas production and improve digestion.

What over-the-counter remedies can help alleviate gas symptoms in the elderly?

Supplements like alpha-galactosidase (Beano), lactase, and simethicone (Gas-X) can help break down gas-producing compounds. This allows gas to pass more easily. Activated charcoal supplements might also help, although the evidence is not clear-cut.

What lifestyle modifications can help the elderly manage their gas?

Regular exercise can help. Avoiding behaviors that cause swallowing air, like chewing gum or drinking through a straw, is also beneficial. Making sure dentures fit well can also reduce gas and improve digestion.

When should the elderly see a doctor for excessive gas?

If gas is persistent or severe, or if it’s accompanied by abdominal pain, unexpected weight loss, blood in the stool, or changes in bowel habits, seeing a doctor is a good idea. This can help rule out any underlying medical conditions.