Home Care:

You may take the following steps:

• Avoid chewing gum or carbonated drinks, especially those with high levels of fructose or sorbitol
• Avoid foods such as Brussels sprouts, turnips, cabbage, beans, and lentils
• Do not eat too quickly
• Stop smoking

If you have constipation, it should be treated. However, fiber supplements such as psyllium can make your symptoms worse.

You may try simethicone and other medicines you buy at the drugstore to help with gas, but these medications are often not helpful.

See: Lactose intolerance for more on how to treat this problem.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in the stools or dark, tarry looking stools
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn that is getting worse
• Vomiting
• Weight loss