How to Reduce Bloating and Gas

Today in class we had an exam and I just let one go. It was dead silent during the exam and it echoed. I just pretended I didn’t hear it and kept reading my exam. I tend not to do well with certain foods but I just eat it anyways. So I thought I would make this video on how to reduce bloating and gas because for some people it can be very embarrassing. Passing gas is a normal body function and it is not realistic to eliminate it completely; however it can be quite embarrassing in excess. I will cover some non-pharmacological treatments as well as over the counter medications you can try.

What causes gas?
- Lactose Malabsorption
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Celiac Disease (Not Common)
o Intolerance to gluten
- Certain Foods or Drugs (Do not discontinue a prescribed medication without consulting your doctor)
- Air entering GI tract from swallowing
o This may be caused from sucking on hard candies, chewing gum, smoking, wearing poorly fitted dentures, poor eating habits and being overly anxious.

Symptoms:
- Bloating
- Belching
- Discomfort
- Cramping

Do not self-treat if:
- Debilitating Gas
- Severe gas along with persistent Diarrhea
- Sudden change in the location and severity of abdominal pain
- Gas symptoms persist for more than several months
- Stomach bleeding, unintentional weight loss.

Non-pharmacological Treatments:
- Avoid foods that increase gas. This can include:
o Milk
o Legumes
o Prunes
o Dark Leafy Vegetables
o Starch
o Cheeses
- Here is a chart:
Vegetables Legumes Fruit Carbohydrates Liquids Dairy Fatty Foods
Onions Most Beans Raisins Wheat Carbonated Milk Fried foods
Celery Dried beans Bananas Cereals Beer Ice Cream Fatty Meats
Carrots Peas Apricots Breads Wine Cheese Gravies
Brussel Sprouts Baked Beans Prunes Bagels – - Rich Cream Sauces
Cabbage Soy Beans – Pretzels – - -
Kohlrabi Lima Beans – - – - -
Sauerkraut – - – - – -
- Eat and drink slowly in a calm environment.
- Chew food thoroughly
- Try not to wash solid food down with a beverage
- Eliminate smoking
- Do not overeat in one sitting.
- Try not to lie down or sit in a slumped position immediately after eating.
- Develop a regular routine of exercise and rest.
- Keep a Food Diary

Over the Counter Medications:
- Charcoal (CharcoCaps, Activated Charcoal Tablets)
- Simethicone (Mylicon, Gas-X, Mylanta Gas, Alka-Seltzer Anti Gas)
- Lactase (Lactaid, Dairy Ease)
o Used to break down carbohydrates so that it can be absorbed.
o Taken with food
- Alpha-Galactosidase (Beano)
o Taken with food

Symptoms do not resolve after taking appropriate over the counter medication and dietary changes were made, please see your primary care provider to access your problem and they may prescribe prescription strength medications to help you out and to determine if something else is the problem.

References:
1. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs 15th Edition. American Pharmacists Association. Copyright 2006.
2. Lexi-Complete. Copyright 2010.

How to get rid of Sore Throats

Sore throats are very painful and can be treated with some over the counter medications or home remedies. There are some very important signs and symptoms to watch out for that indicate if you can self-treat or if you must see a doctor. This information is discussed in the video as well as safety tips, non-pharmacological treatments, over the counter treatments, and when it is appropriate to see your doctor.

Treatments:
1. Acetaminophen (See my other video on dosing and side effects of Tylenol/Acetaminophen)
2. NSAIDS (Ibuprofen) (See my other video on dosing and side effects of Ibuprofen)
3. Local anesthetics come in many forms such as: lozenges, troches, mouthwashes, and sprays (benzocaine, phenol, menthol, dyclonine hydrochloride, pectin) some products contain antiseptics (cetylpyridinium chloride, hexylresorcinol) Just ask the pharmacist if you need help deciding what to use when you are at the store. If symptoms are not relieved or worsens, or if a headache or fever develops a doctor should be consulted.
a. These work by blocking nerve transmission from noxious stimuli that activate peripheral nerves.
Tips
1. Benzocaine and dyclonine may numb your mouth and tongue. Try not to eat or drink until these effects go away due to the increase risk for aspiration.
2. When drinking hot liquids, let it cool down to prevent further irritation to the throat.
3. Avoid Spicy Foods

Non-Pharmacological Treatments
For these treatments there is no scientific evidence I can back these alternatives for you but I will list what I have found, I cannot recommend these to you but you can try them at your own risk:
1. Lemon Tea, Green tea or Herbal Tea (Careful with Drug Interactions, Blood Thinners)
2. Lemon juice mixed with Honey.
3. Mix Ginger with Lem oron Juice.
4. Warm Water, soups, increase fluid intake.
5. Gargle with Salty Water with a few drops of Lemon Juice several times a day (do not swallow)
a. 1 tsp of salt dissolved in 8 fl oz of warm water.
6. Heat up apple juice or orange juice with some honey.
7. Vaporizer or humidifier

Do not self-treat and seek medical attention if:
1. The sore throat is severe, lasts more than several days, associated with a persistent fever, nausea, vomiting, or headache.
2. When trying to self-treat, symptoms worsen.
3. Bacterial infections develop such as thick nasal or respiratory secretions that are yellowish-green. You have a fever higher than 101.5 F, chest congestion, wheezing, rash, significant ear pain, or shortness of breath.
4. You have an underlying chronic cardiopulmonary disease such as asthma, COPD, CHF.
5. AIDs or chronic immunosuppressant therapy
6. Infants under the age of 9 months
7. You have a hypersensitivity to recommended over the counter medications.

Children should see a doctor if:
1. Difficulty breathing or swallowing
2. Unusual drooling, indicates inability to swallow.

Adults should see a doctor if:
1. Joint pain
2. Blood in saliva or phlegm
3. Frequently recurring sore throats
4. A lump in your neck
5. Hoarseness lasting more than 2 weeks.

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Disclaimer:
Please do not self treat without consulting a medical professional. This video provides basic information about medications and should be used for education purposes only. It should not be used as a tool to self diagnose and treat.

References:
1. Mackowiak, Elaine. Essentials of Nonprescription Medication and Devices. Pharmaceutical Press. Copyright 2010.
2. APhA. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs 15th Edition. Copyright 2006.
3. Sore throats. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/soreThroats.cfm. Accessed November 11, 2010.
4. Information from your family doctor. Sore throat. American Family Physician. 2006;74:1185.
5. HIV/AIDS and oral health. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/HIV/. Accessed November 11, 2010.