Q. I have uncontrollable gas, and it sucks! Being in my last year of high school, I have exams. That can mean a fail for me because I don’t turn up due to my tummy issues. I’m afraid to go to school and humiliate myself in front of the whole class. What should I do?
A. There are a number of herbs that can be helpful against gas. Try sipping a tea made of fennel or anise seeds, ginger root or peppermint leaves. One teaspoon of seeds or spice steeped for several minutes in boiling hot water makes a tasty tea that helps to fight flatulence.
It may also be useful to figure out if something in your diet is causing the problem. Many people react badly to milk or dairy products. Avoiding milk or taking a lactase enzyme pill such as Lactaid could help with this.
Others report that a low-carb diet can be beneficial. Here’s one story:
“I went on a strict low carb diet a year ago and mysteriously all flatulence disappeared. If I eat any highly refined product or sugar-containing food, boom: the gas returns.”
Keeping a chart of what you eat and how often you pass gas may help you figure out which foods are particularly troublesome for you. We are sending you our Guide to Digestive Disorders with many suggestions on overcoming flatulence or heartburn so you won’t have to skip your exams.
