Question:

Updated on
May 25, 2012

My 9 year old son has had problems with flatulence for 6-7 years: can he be helped?

Hello,

This question is about my 9 year old son. He seems to have more than the normal amount of gas every day. I have brought him to many doctors who said it is normal ,however I think it is way, way too much. He gets teased at school because he is constantly passing gas. He's been experiencing it for the past 6-7 years. I have modified his diet, but that did not help. He passes gas even when he does not eat. Any help is much appreciated.

A desprite mom
Shar

Answer:

Dear Sharlene,
Chronic flatulence is most likely caused by overgrowth of yeast or bacteria in the digestive tract. This often gets worse over time because the doctors aren't offering any treatment. Frankly, medical doctors don't believe that yeast overgrowth even exists. Yeast and bacterial overgrowth will develop after of the use of antibiotics, as well as from inefficient (or deficient) digestion. Hidden or masked food allergies also promotes this overgrowth. In a few cases, particularly if a child is born by caesarian section (C-section), the child doesn't develop proper levels of good bacteria (probiotics) and the yeast/bacteria imbalance begins very early.

Stool and urine testing is available to confirm if yeast or bacteria overgrowth is indeed present. This testing is not done in Canada but you can learn more from labs like Doctor's Data, Genova Diagnostics or Metamatrix Labs. I recommend Doctor's Data. Once the test is completed, your son could be treated with antimicrobial herbal medicines (e.g. Garlic, Grapefruit Seed Extract or Goldenseal) as well as probiotics. A low-dairy, low-sugar diet is also strongly recommended for 6 weeks. The gassiness will probably decline in 7-10 days, although the total treatment time is 3-6 months (to avoid the symptoms coming back).
Sincerely,
Scott Clack, BSc, ND
Touchstone Naturopathic Centre/Ontario HBOT Centre (Toronto)

Response by Scott Clack B.Sc., N.D.

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