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November 25th, 2011
08:44 AM ET
What the Yuck: I get gassy on planesToo embarrassed to ask your doctor about sex, body quirks, or the latest celeb health fad? In a regular feature and a new book, "What the Yuck?!," Health magazine medical editor Dr. Roshini Raj tackles your most personal and provocative questions. Send 'em to Dr. Raj at whattheyuck@health.com. Q: Why do I get so gassy on plane rides? For starters, as the plane ascends, air pressure decreases (that’s what can cause your ears to pop), so the gas in your intestines expands. Adding to the problem, many of us avoid using the plane’s tiny (germy!) bathroom, but holding in a bowel movement can cause flatulence, as well as discomfort and pain. To avoid this problem, use the facilities when nature calls and steer clear of carbonated drinks. It also helps to get up and walk around during your flight - which you should do anyway to prevent blood clots - to prevent your crunched abdomen from putting additional pressure on your intestines. Copyright Health Magazine 2011
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. Recent Comments
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Eat only salads the day before and the day of the flight . Don't eat meat or fruit which will cause gas. Eat as many raw veggies ( alkaline foods) as you can handle. You'll be surprised how this works. It's only for 24 hours , so you can do it easily. Your body will thank you by being quiet during the flight. Eat when you land !
You want to avoid all fruit and vegetables because both cause flatulence. Lettuce is notorious for gas.
Odd thing is: If gluttonous Americans would eat properly (chew their food) rather than wolf down their food, then they would be able to eat anything without worrying about flatulence. It would also help to lose your fat butts and get some exercise.
Try to take a dump before you get on the plane. A bowl of bran taken the morning before the flight will do the trick in most cases. If you have a damaged colon, you may need more potent laxatives. Please, please think of others!
You should be eating this way all the time, not just 24 hrs before flying!
Why not just water/juice fast the day before and the day of?
I tried that tonight and it did the opposite! I felt like a Thanksgiving day parade balloon and let the biggest one rip! I've never been so embarassed and its your fault!
This might not be a good solution for everyone. I, for one, can't eat any raw veggies without intestinal cramping, bloating, and gas. Flying on a plane would probably make this worse! (Don't worry, I still get plenty of veggies, I just cook them thoroughly first.) I don't buy the acidity/alkalinity argument, anyway - stomach acid is pH 1 or 2 (extremely acidic) and unless you consume massive numbers of antacid tablets, I don't see how anything you eat is going to have an effect on this level.
There's somethin' to be said for a good f-rt !!!
What's the worry – let it rip when on the plane. When I can afford to fly I eat plenty of pigs feet and corn bread prior so everyone enjoys the ride.
Because of pigs like you, there is a need for a full-bowel detector. You should not be allowed on the plane.
Hey – where's the Like button for this?
LMAO! Jermaine is funny!
John Gabriel, loosen up a bit, dude. Sounds like you need a bowel movement yourself to relieve yourself of some pent up cynicism.
Last time I few I stopped off at Taco Bell for a full lunch on my way to the airport. Hey.... what the heck, eh? I've had the person next to me fall asleep and keel over on my shoulder, the person ahead of me recline their seat into my lap, and I've been stuck next to some lady who literally bathed in some weird smelling perfume. If I have any regrets about my actions it's that I didn't have one more burrito for lunch that day.
Why did they use a picture of some woman who looks like she's TRYING to unload right on the poor sap in the aisle seat?
She's trying to mount him. She's not bad looking, so it wouldn't be a bad thing.
It's what they do. They're into that kind of stuff.
What do you mean?
Every time I've flown, my children (5 months and 2 years) will either poop their pants on the way up or the way down. Very annoying.
The proper cand complete digestion of various foods (carbs, fats, protiens, etc.) is essential to reducing and eliminating gas. A digestive enzyme an hour before the flight may help greatly. These guys have a good product here:
http://www.puristat.com/bloating/belchingburpingflatulence.aspx
Happy Flying!
Kathy
BEANO with meal/drink before you get on 2-4 hrs before
If the only time you chew sugarless gum is when you fly (to keep your ears from getting clogged), it could be the artificial sweetener in the gum making you gassy.
Then there are some people like me who don't need to fly to get gassy. Heck, I get gassy looking at linoleum.
It's best to just let 'em rip whenever you need to. Sharing is caring, after all.
Gas is normal and healthy. If your diet does feed the bacteria that generates gas then it's not feeding your body properly.
What's the problem – let it rip like I do when I'm on a plane. I eat corn bread and pigs feet the day before to increase the pleasure of other passengers.
You got to do what nature commands!
To begin with,we have far more important things to worry about,than whether we pass gas on a plane.If people are gas shy,
then by all means eat light before you fly.That said,we need to all remember that flatulence is a natural function of the body,
and there is nothing shameful about it.The reality here is that whenever you have a bunch of people crowded into a relatively
cramped space,the air will get foul from time to time.It is part of the human condition,and is simply unavoidable at times.If I am
on a plane,I tend to worry more about terrorism,bad weather,and unsafe planes.Someone's digestive emmissions are low
on the priority list for me.After all,problems with the former issues could well be deadly.The latter while unpleasant,seldom
deadly.
Thanks
Take a Gas-X, if you're worried about it. Otherwise, just keep your butt planted in the seat, and freely "crop dust" the people around you. If you notice them looking around, trying to figure out where the smell is coming from, act the same way. If you just sit in your seat, smiling like the Cheshire Cat, they will know it's you!!
And besides, you won't smell any worse than the clown 2 rows down, who took off his shoes! YUCK!!
Aim your little vent so it blows the smell onto the 300lb person taking up half of your seat.
Good health is alway good for a person ,boy fighting generic genes is hard.
I have this problem all the time, but planes make it worse. The suggestions here don't resolve it, so I try to not feel bad about it. It's worse in the evenings/at night. What does that mean? Those of us with this problem daily are not doing it on purpose, guys.
Please don't sit near me~! I'd probably tell you to "do that in the toilet." Seriously, why do it in public? I do not have this problem, but maybe it is because I never eat before I fly (no one ever starved for missing a meal).
Take Beano® before every flight!
To AliveAir: To AliveAir: First of all, great reviews! Second, I live in a hot ctmlaie so my A/C window unit HAS to be on continuously in order for the room (250 sq feet) to cool down. Buying a purifier seems futile because allergens are continuously being pumped into the room when the A/C is on. I am thinking about buying the Airpod MT2, but how effective will a purifier be if I have an operating A/C window unit (which does not have a filter)? Thanks!
Thanks for all the advice. (which I will not follow)
When Posting about how I should deal with my health functions please list YOUR QUALIFICATIONS.
Well, I'm flatulent in 4 languages, finished top of my gas.
Stop drinking all that beer and taking shots
AND STEAR CLEAR OF THE PEANUTS!
***PEANUTS CAUSE GAS.****
So interesting that people don't know this.
This just in, people have gas! Great job CNN you got to the bottom of that quick, maybe because you are full of gas yourself.
Just let it flow...plus its a great conversation starter.
There are some very disturbing elements in this picture. First of all, the plane is obviously not even completely filled – why did they group all those poor (flatulent) customers in the same section? Secondly, the grim reaper seems to be sitting with a straw hat and shinbone cane three rows back from the climbing woman that is the subject of this photo. This is a terrifying and unnecessary reminder of my own mortality and I'll be reporting this image to the proper authorities at CNN.
really? that's an actual comment?
The photo is staged.
And let it rip.
LOL! Heynen "Like" even though the button is missing.
Was on a plane once when the woman ( rather attractive too ) sitting next to me, leaned over to get something out of her purse. She tore one off that sounded like the port engine backfired. She must have touched cloth with it as well because it was rank for quite a while afterwards. Bit of an icebreaker to say the least. Or should I say ice melter.
I have a thing for cabbage and onions. Cooked just right they make a delicious veggie dish that nobody can say no to. It's reassuring to know that gassy problems don't get almost unbearable just for me when on a plane. I feel confident about letting the gas expel from my colon now that I know everyone else has the same problem. As a matter of entertainment on a long flight maybe we should compare odors and vote on the worst one!
Planes stink and their gross and germ ridden. Don't fly and you won't get gassy!
I was once on an Air France flight from the US West Coast to Paris. Someone was letting some very nasty SBD's (Silent But Deadlies). One passenger finally had had enough and pressed the Flt. Attendant button to complain. I will never forget the sight of those two lovely French FA's cat walking down both isles off the plane with air freshner spraying ahead of themselves.....I've always liked Air France for this!
Sat next to a mom and her almost 2 year old. OMG!!! The baby did a #2. It took the mom a while to realize junior filled his pants. Very adorable kids though.
The chick in the pic is pretty hot; she could climb over me anyday...
But, come on – at least show the typical 3-abreast passenger seat – instead of this puddle-jumper commuter plane!
Most of the time what happens is fruits were served with meals so if fruits were consumed along with meals that cause gas in the stomach .so better to avoid fruits along with meals or else should be eaten later on.
Some people will bring garbage like hard boiled eggs and cabbage on the flight with them and then crack them open while in the air and stink up the whole cabin. I wish we could throw those people out a window.
What about all the rotten poison coming out of everyones mouth,with all that disease they may have,plus all the smell of alcohol ,yuk Ever since smoking has been banned Disease is rampant because of no ventilation...suffer with it.........
Actually I find the eating of strange hotel and airport food plus the anxiety of rushed air travel may cause a little gas.
Maybe its the WOMAN trying to get to the bathroom before she lets one rip. I've done that myself.