Charcoal Activated Underwear For Distressing Flatus
14 May 2009
An embarrassed patient once asked me, "Doctor, what can I do to control flatus (farts)? I’m becoming a social pariah." I didn’t have an answer for this distressed woman at the time as no one had discovered the ultimate cure. But I’ve finally found the right prescription, "Charcoal Activated Underwear".
We’ve all heard about the whoopee cushion used to embarrass friends at parties, and the usual jokes about passing gas. However, it’s not amusing for those who have food allergies or suffer from bowel problems. But it’s never been easy to get information about flatus. After all, how many researchers want to say, ‘I’m a specialist in farts?"
Kings, Queens and the rest of us pass flatus discreetly 15 to 25 times a day. But occasionally flatus can reach mind-boggling proportions in those unable to metabolize lactose. For instance, one man with this problem had 141 rectal expulsions in four hours after drinking two quarts of milk. Not the ideal guest for a dinner party. But surely a feat worthy for the Guinness Book of Records.
Fortunately, flatus is usually odourless, consisting of either oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen or nitrogen. But some gases are so powerful they can be detected when as low as one part in a million. And the odour can’t always be blamed on the dog when flatus is passed at the dinner table.
Several years ago when I first researched this problem I found the usual suggestions for easing the dilemma. For instance, don’t push your luck by eating gas-producing foods. Some authorities believed that Pepto-Bismol, Simethicone (Gas-X), Beano and other propriety medications might be helpful. But there was no ultimate answer in this case.
Now there’s a way to solve the embarrassing moment that everyone tries to ignore. "Charcoal activated underwear" is the brain child of Buck Weimer of Pueblo, Colorado, and one of the best kept secrets. None of my patients or friends are aware of it. Nor could I find this innovative idea in pharmacies or stores in Canada or the U.S.
Weimer had great motivation for researching flatus and finding a cure for it. His wife suffered from Crohn’s Disease and had faced many awkward, embarrassing moments due to uncontrollable flatus.
Weimer knew that charcoal has a great affinity for absorbing odours. So he decided to find a way to use charcoal to trap and annihilate obnoxious odoriferous farts before they have a chance to escape.
His underwear, called "Under-Ease" is available for both sexes. It’s made from a soft nylon (poly-urethane-coated) fabric and is air-tight with an exit hole at the rump. The exit hole has a small pocket containing a replaceable soft, activated carbon pad that allows all gases to pass.
This multi-layered filter pad contains two layers of sheep’s wool and a layer of activated carbon. It traps odoriferous flatus, but allows the non-smelling gas to pass. It also allows the natural buildup of body heat to pass through.
Weimer claims his gas-eating underwear is comfortable, washable and should last up to a year under ordinary conditions. The replaceable filter lasts from one to six months depending on use. His company’s motto is, "Wear them for the ones you love".
Interestingly Weimer’s Charcoal Activated Underwear was displayed at a health convention, but people were too embarrassed to buy it on the spot. Rather, they picked up brochures and later ordered by telephone or e-mail! It shows the extent of this social stigma.
Weimer’s charcoal underwear with filter pad costs $24.95. You can buy two replaceable pads for $11.95 See the web site www.under-tec.com Or in the U.S. call 1-888-433-5913. In Canada 1-719-584-7782
I haven’t conducted personal research on this item. But Weimer says test marketing has validated its effectiveness. He has also received many heart-warming stories from sufferers. One woman hadn’t been to church for two years as she was embarrassed by excessive flatus. Many others had shied away from social occasions because of uncontrollable flatus. So I’m sure this gas eating underwear will be a great boon to thousands of people who are terrified of the unexpected and sudden expulsion on social occasions.
I’d appreciate hearing results from readers who try "Under-Ease", anonymously of course!
