Perhaps the reason people get full of gas is simply that God has a sense of humor! I remember reading an article describing digestive issues that pointed out that released intestinal gas "makes a funny noise and has a terrible smell" as if the readers needed to be told! On a serious side, perhaps it's more noticeable in the elderly because they are usually less active--they have to let it go right where they are instead of while walking outside or someplace where no one else is aware of it. In any case, this is a "harmless activity" that can entertain people of all ages!

Well, I'm glad to know that it is more common in the elderly. More water, less wheat bread are some small changes in my relative's diet that may have a noticeable impact. I will try it and see what happens. We will discuss with the doctor as well...but want to avoid any additions of new medications.

it depends on the amount of sugar in your body, plus as you get older your digestion doesn't work as well. as long as a person can pass the gas..........it shouldn't be a problem. we all do it. some louder than others, some more aromatic than others.

When I get to be a senior, not only am I going to pass gas as often and as loudly as I can, but I'm going to develop the loudest burping noise I can & trumpet! I figured I earned the right...

i believe id crack a window a couple of inches .

honestly my mother said her doctor from eons ago said "better out than in"....because it causes the person intestinal distress.......even though it might affect others. My mother toots every time she gets up, she laughs and we laugh. babies and young children toot and no one thinks anything about it. all someone would have to do is say "excuse me" and keep on about what you were doing.

I like all the solutions and comments. However, some of us old geezers were brougaht up to believe that it is poor manners to "let 'er rip" in public and are I am one of those old geezers embarrassed by it. (Tell us how to get rid of the embarrassment!) I am one of those old geezers who takes an excellent probiotic capsule daily along with Metamucil because of IBS, but I still have sessions with the embarrassing blowouts that slip past uncontrolled. BTW, there's really no way to cover up! When she blows, she blows LOUD and CLEAR! I am finally coming to the point where I just keep talking as though nothing happened, and the gracious folks around me don't laugh or make jokes anymore; they ignore it like I do. :)

HAHA! Our nurse says it's a GOOD thing mom passes gas, it means her bowels are still working! Besides the problems with digestion that plague old age I think part of the problem is not so much that they pass gas, but that they physically or mentally don't have the capacity to "hold it" for a more appropriate moment. You and I may sit there cross-eyed waiting for company to exit or excuse ourselves to go to another room, mom & pop, not so much!

Can surgical removal of the sigmoid (approx 20 cm ) cause serious flatulence and lsomewhat less seriuos constipation

Olivia yes swallowing air can cause gas, definitely, that's why they tell gassy people not to chew gum. but I have heard fennel seeds do help control gas, find out first with a dr if it's okay ( that they won't interfere with any meds).

honestly.............I can get gas without eating anything so whats the matter with me? (I am being sarcastic)..........most of our problems come from foods with additives and too much sugar. Unless they are having pain or experiencing other health issues, why worry if they pass gas..........better out than in.

I posted a question earlier when I first created my login and then didn't write my login information down. So I am asking again. Could walking, inhaling air to catch one's breath when walking up hills, cause flatulence later in the day? This sounds ridiculous but an early afternoon walk seems to add to the issue.

As has been points out by the four(4) previous post.....many causes, normal body function, etc. Carry a can of 'Febreze' and let 'er ripe.

Go to Almond milk and the problem will go away...and NO ice cream...yogurt only

Probiotics can be found in yogurt, plain is best and the less sugars in it the better, Kefir, a fermented kind of milk has it too, you can also buy acidophilus pills in the vitamin sections, do some research by asking your pharmacist which is the best brand . And you want to eat yogurt or take acidophilus if you have been on antibiotics since they will kill the good as well as bad bacteria in your gut and the good bacteria helps digest food better.

Not just the elderly pass gas, ever been around teenage boys? They do with much gusto and actually everyone passes gas, all ages, both genders. even animals pass gas, the difference is among humans when younger you find ways to disguise gas by making noises, such as coughing, clearing the throat, stamping the foot, moving around, standing near loud machinery and yes doing the old blame the dog routine. When in groups of people there is not even any need to acknowledge gas by disguising it with various noises or blaming the dog since when there are large groups of people no one knows who passed gas.

Women, when menstruating and when pregnant have gas. Gas can also happen after eating certain foods. I suspect with all the so called elderly gas passing and wondering why it happens, my theory is that you reach a certain age and think, "Ahh who cares if I gotta poot I gotta poot I'm just letting it go and tough if others are offended. better them offended then me having intestinal aches caused by holding in my gas."

We need to accept the fact we all poop, poot, burp, smell bad sometimes, have hair where we don't like it, have mucous in our noses, on and on, we humans need to just accept these facts and age does not even come into play with all this, it is part of being human, just take GasX if it bothers us or eat fennel seeds or carry a trumpet around and when you or anyone fears gassy noises will be made blow out a tune.

Could someone please tell me what prebiotics are? A type of food?, if so which ones. A pill? What's the use of it?