Gas discomfort during long flights?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Gas discomfort during long flights?
I promise I'm not trying to start trouble with this thread. Although I'm sure some people will quickly degenerate the discussion.
I have noticed that on flights longer than 4 hours, I develop painful gas that cannot be "dissipated" (so no, I'm not silently violent toward my seatmates). Fortunately for them, it "resolves" itself only after being on the ground an hour or so.
Does anyone else have this problem? Any preventions/remedies? FWIW, I avoid drinking carbonated drinks in flight, sticking to wine, scotch/rocks, and/or the bottled water.
I have noticed that on flights longer than 4 hours, I develop painful gas that cannot be "dissipated" (so no, I'm not silently violent toward my seatmates). Fortunately for them, it "resolves" itself only after being on the ground an hour or so.
Does anyone else have this problem? Any preventions/remedies? FWIW, I avoid drinking carbonated drinks in flight, sticking to wine, scotch/rocks, and/or the bottled water.
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS, BWI
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I don't know but I REALLY irritated the guy next to me on a recent flight. I woofed down a can of Coke just before descent--I had a chest cold--and every few seconds I would feel the change in pressure release some carbonation from my stomach....up, up, and *belch!* This happened every couple seconds until we landed. Very embarrassing.
I think your problem also has to do with the change in pressure. It takes about 24 hours for something to completely go through the digestive system. Try not eating or drinking anything with "air" in it for 24 hours prior to your flight?
I think your problem also has to do with the change in pressure. It takes about 24 hours for something to completely go through the digestive system. Try not eating or drinking anything with "air" in it for 24 hours prior to your flight?
#4
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SFO/SJC/SQL
Posts: 1,412
I promise I'm not trying to start trouble with this thread. Although I'm sure some people will quickly degenerate the discussion.
I have noticed that on flights longer than 4 hours, I develop painful gas that cannot be "dissipated" (so no, I'm not silently violent toward my seatmates). Fortunately for them, it "resolves" itself only after being on the ground an hour or so.
Does anyone else have this problem? Any preventions/remedies? FWIW, I avoid drinking carbonated drinks in flight, sticking to wine, scotch/rocks, and/or the bottled water.
I have noticed that on flights longer than 4 hours, I develop painful gas that cannot be "dissipated" (so no, I'm not silently violent toward my seatmates). Fortunately for them, it "resolves" itself only after being on the ground an hour or so.
Does anyone else have this problem? Any preventions/remedies? FWIW, I avoid drinking carbonated drinks in flight, sticking to wine, scotch/rocks, and/or the bottled water.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2008
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If you have access to a US-only distributed product use Beano before eating and before flights. It absorbs lots of gas and solves the problem for most people. i carry it with me on every flight. I suspect my seatmates may appreciate that.
#9
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#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
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A common term among FAs for letting one out while walking along the aisle is "crop dusting." Happens often enough.
You're not going to see any of the folks around you again. (If you're traveling with a friend, just face him/her for the duration of the activity.)
You're not going to see any of the folks around you again. (If you're traveling with a friend, just face him/her for the duration of the activity.)
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
I promise I'm not trying to start trouble with this thread. Although I'm sure some people will quickly degenerate the discussion.
I have noticed that on flights longer than 4 hours, I develop painful gas that cannot be "dissipated" (so no, I'm not silently violent toward my seatmates). Fortunately for them, it "resolves" itself only after being on the ground an hour or so.
Does anyone else have this problem? Any preventions/remedies? FWIW, I avoid drinking carbonated drinks in flight, sticking to wine, scotch/rocks, and/or the bottled water.
I have noticed that on flights longer than 4 hours, I develop painful gas that cannot be "dissipated" (so no, I'm not silently violent toward my seatmates). Fortunately for them, it "resolves" itself only after being on the ground an hour or so.
Does anyone else have this problem? Any preventions/remedies? FWIW, I avoid drinking carbonated drinks in flight, sticking to wine, scotch/rocks, and/or the bottled water.
The best thing is to minimize the amount of gas you will have in there starting the DAY BEFORE your flight. No beer or carb drinks. No beans or bean based foods.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Next time I will try some of the OTC products out there such as Beano or Gas-X. Which of these types of products actually dissipates or relieves the gas internally vs. facilitating its exit? It would be ideal, of course, to eliminate the gas rather than have to deal with the annoyance of going to the lav to flatulate or the rudeness of doing it in my seat.
#13
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,983
Sorry to revive an old thread, but I am facing a similar problem, I seem to develop cramps during flights and some gas. The problem seems to go away if I drink kombucha before the flight, but you cannot find that stuff in every airport terminal. Anyone in a similar situation able to provide some advice?
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
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Watch your diet. Avoid foods that make you gassy (beans, broccoli, etc.) and, if you're lactose intolerant (as I am), avoid dairy or carry a supply of lactase pills. Also try beano or similar products.
Or make frequent trips to the lavatory, or just let 'er rip and hope 1) it isn't loud and doesn't smell, 2) it's absorbed by the cloth seats, 3) you can blame it on someone else, or 4) everyone else is asleep and won't notice.
Or make frequent trips to the lavatory, or just let 'er rip and hope 1) it isn't loud and doesn't smell, 2) it's absorbed by the cloth seats, 3) you can blame it on someone else, or 4) everyone else is asleep and won't notice.
#15
Join Date: May 2009
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I find bending forward and lifting one cheek off the seat helps alleviate my trapped gas problems. More difficult to do in coach, but in business and first it's fine. In a pinch, ask your seat mate to pull your finger.