Extreme Problem, Extreme Solutions

Here’s an interesting approach for dealing with unpleasant odors that arise from uncontrollable gas: trap the puffers in underwear that has a built-in activated charcoal filter.

Or consider this: a charcoal-activated chair pad for people with non-stop gas. Drop it on your office chair, park your tush, and you can squeeze methane out all day without offending your coworkers’ noses (although it can’t do anything for their ears).

I’m not endorsing these products. I haven’t tested them. And frankly, I’m not inclined to walk around with a charcoal pad jammed into my Skivvies.

But the fact that there’s a company out there that’s found a ready market for charcoal-activated undies proves what I have been saying for years: uncontrolled gas is a serious problem that impacts millions of people.

Worse, it’s a problem that people prefer to ignore, due to embarrassment, instead of talking about openly.

Frankly, I think a better approach to dealing with uncontrollable gas is to figure out what foods or combination of foods and medical conditions are causing the flatulence.

In some cases (such as with a lactose intolerance), a natural supplement can cure the problem, without requiring you to give up your favorite foods or dishes.

And in all cases, modifying one’s diet is not only less costly than buying a year’s supply of undie pads; it’s also more effective, because it targets the root causes of the problem.

Getting rid of the body odor that plagues sufferers of uncontrollable gas is a good first step. Eliminating the cramping, bloating, embarrassing noises, and inopportune bathroom runs is the as-yet unsolved step.