Gas

A patient wrote of her husband "having MAJOR problems with gas". He shares this problem with many others but the fact is often underappreciated. Gas in the bowels can cause uncomfortable dialyses and sleep disturbances. It can cause patients to come off dialysis early. Some of the symptoms mimic hypotension.   There are expensive medications that can be used but I find that activated charcoal (coated tablets) to absorb the gas and peppermint or spearmint to let it escape from the stomach work just fine.   The timing is important. Charcoal after meals (when much air is often swallowed) and peppermint after meals and before dialysis. Can also be taken during dialysis but be careful not to choke on the mints. You also have to sit up periodically to allow the gas to escape from the stomach.

Peter Lundin, M.D.

Minor editing by Stephen Z. Fadem, M.D. 

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