Causes of Gas and Constipation

In females, hormone level alters before periods. This change in hormone level sometimes causes constipation. Lactose intolerance may also cause excess gas if there are not enough lactase enzymes available in intestine to digest the milk sugar lactose. If you are diagnosed Lactose Intolerance, then a dietary enzyme supplement (such as Lactaid) is suggested before consuming milk products.

1. Avoid Chewing Gum. Chewing Gum causes swallowing more air.
2. Avoid foods with sorbitol or other sugar alcohols like xilitol, maltitol, lactitol, etc. These are poorly digestible because they destined to lower intestinal tract and consumed there by the flora. This results in producing gas as byproducts. Many 'sugar free' foods contain sorbitol and other sugar alcohols (your sugar free fudge bars, breath mints, sugar free cough drops, sugar free gum).
3. Drink enough liquid.
4. Although exercise is good for good bowel function, but excess exercise after food may cause cramps and constipation.
5. Make sure you stay hydrated during exercise.
6. Take a supplemental digestive enzyme containing alpha galactosidase (such as Beano) when you eat foods containing dried beans (like your hummus), soy, or the cabbage family (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, turnip, rutabaga).

The following things cause collection of gas into your stomach and intestines:

1. Do chew your food well
2. Don't drink through a straw
3. Don't talk during meals
4. Avoid caffeine, chocolate
5. Avoid carbonated beverages