Beano for Anti-gas in 8 Year Old?

I would go to a health food store and get him probiotics. They add good bacteria to the digestive system. They have chewable ones for kids and my son takes one every day. He never got sick all last winter also.

Even thou beano may say its all natural what does it really have in it? Also how does it work to stop gas? this may be something that would mess up his whole digestive track. I would start by asking him to pass his gas in the bathroom or away from people whenever possiable and try to cut back on some of the fiber rich foods.

I would call your doc office & ask. This is just to be on the safe side. Sometimes even natural remedies have side effects with food and/or other meds.

I never bothered to ask my doctor, but we have been giving beano to our kids for years, no ill effects. My husband is mexican, and we eat a lot of beans. My kids love them, and I love what they cost!

Funny story...

Sitting in church with our then 5 year old kindergartener the weekend before Thanksgiving. She had a "thankful" pumpkin that she had made in Sunday school and gave it to me to look at just as we sat down in church. So, proud mama read the simple words that she had written on each one of the pumkin colored strips, held together with brads so that they made a little ball that looked like a pumkin. The leaf said "I am grateful for:" and the children wrote on the orange pieces. She wrote: sisters, friends, school, dog, and....BEANO! We laughed so hard we cried. I still have it. priceless. Even she knew it worked for everyone.

M.

I agree with both G and Tiffany. Just because something is all-natural doesn't make it safe - especially in pediatric patients.
Here's what NIH has on file regarding the ingredients (it's made from a mold called Aspergillus Niger): http://dietarysupplements.nlm.nih.gov/dietary/detail.jsp?...

I'd certainly call the pediatrician and ask as well as a pharmacist. The fact that his gas is so noxious could actually indicate something more serious that none of us have the medical training to identify.

Good luck!

Stinky gas can mean he is backed up with stool. My 4 month old baby's gas can clear a room. I am a nurse and change diapers every day and his stick is way worse than anything I have ever smelled before. His doctor said he may be backed up and that I should give him pear or prune juice every day to clear him out. Just a thought.

Beano will work ONLY if the cause is related to his not being able to digest that starch or sugar beans give off (pre soaking dried beans over night and discarding the water will help, too). If that's not the cause, it's not going to help. If he has plenty of fiber, and drinks plenty of fluids. His diet is probably fine.
To help combat the smell, try Activated Charcoal supplements. They should have it at the drug store. It works like a charm.

The only thing with Beano is that it can cause constipation. I would look in reducing some of the gas causing foods first before I would give anything. Although it is wonderful that he is eating so health sometimes we have to change it for our own sake. I would discourage giving him anything at this point.

The digestive changes are new in the past 10 days. What if anything has changed in his diet in the past 2 weeks. He may be intolerant to only on particular vegetable, fruit, grain. A vitamin with minerals can cause excess gas. Check the contents of juices, drink mixes, etc.... to see if there's a change in ingredients.

In Michigan as of August 15th our allergy season went into high gear. Is he showing signs of shadows under his eyes, excess sinus drainage (flowing down the back of his throat) into his tummy. He may allergic to one of the common late summer allergens such as goldenrod etc... then hopefully the symptoms will subside in the fall.

Your Dr. could order a simple blood test to determine if his allergy levels are elevated.

I hope this helps settle his gaseous state.

Best wishes
A.