Flatulence: Causes, remedies, and complications

Flatulence is a buildup of gas in the digestive system that can lead to abdominal discomfort.

Excessive flatulence can cause discomfort and distress. It often occurs due to eating certain foods, but it can be a sign of a more serious condition. Most people experience flatulence at one time or another.

In most cases, a change of diet and lifestyle can help control excessive gas.

Share on PinterestDesign by Medical News Today; photography by ilbusca/Getty Images

There are two causes of gas buildup in the digestive system. Firstly, when we eat, drink or swallow saliva, we also swallow tiny amounts of air. This swallowed air accumulates in the gut.

Secondly, when we digest food, bacteria create gas, mainly hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. When food decomposes in the digestive system, it can also produce sulfur, which can produce an odor on expulsion.

As the gas builds up, the body may need to eliminate it through the mouth, by belching, or passing wind through the anal passage.

Flatulence often occurs without the person being aware of it. The average person expels gas through the anus 8-14 times per day.

Flatulence can result from normal bodily processes, or it may stem from a condition affecting the digestive system.

Exogenous sources are those that come from outside. We swallow air when we eat, drink, or swallow saliva, especially when the body produces excess saliva due to nausea or acid reflux.

Endogenous sources are inside the gut. Gas may arise as a by-product of the partial digestion of certain foods.

Why do some foods cause more gas?

Certain foods contain sugars, starches, and fibers that the body cannot fully digest. When these items pass to the large intestine, bacteria begin to break them down, creating gas.

Foods that cause flatulence tend to be those high in certain polysaccharides, particularly oligosaccharides, such as inulin. Inulin belongs to a class of dietary fibers known as fructans.

Examples of foods that can worsen flatulence include:

• vegetables such as cabbage, onions, and Brussels sprouts
• cereals, such as wheat or oats
• pulses, including beans and lentils
• dairy produce
• yeast in baked products, such as bread

Here are some reasons why some foods cause more gas, but there are others.

• Complex carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates in beans are difficult for humans to digest. When the complex carbohydrates reach the lower intestine, bacteria feed on them and produce gas.
• Lactose intolerance: When people consume food that contains lactose, such as milk, and lack the enzymes to break it down, the bacteria feed on the lactose. In people with lactose intolerance, this produces large amounts of gas.
• Celiac disease: Intolerance to the protein gluten means that people with celiac disease have excessive flatulence when they consume barley, wheat, and rye.
• Artificial sweeteners: Sorbitol and mannitol are common in candies, chewing gums, and sugar-free sweet foods. Some people develop diarrhea, gas, or both when they consume these substances.
• Fiber supplements: Adding these too rapidly to the diet can cause flatulence, especially if they contain psyllium.
• Carbonated drinks: Fizzy drinks and beer may cause a buildup of gas in the intestinal tract.

Anyone concerned about how their diet may be causing flatulence should ask a doctor or a qualified dietitian for advice.

Conditions that can worsen flatulence

Certain health conditions can cause or worsen flatulence.

• Underlying health conditions: Some chronic conditions can cause flatulence, for example, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis. Some types of cancer can lead to a blockage in the intestines.
• Gallbladder problems: Gallstones and cholecystitis can cause additional gas.
• Constipation: Feces can make it harder to expel excess gas, resulting in further accumulation and discomfort.
• Gastroenteritis and other intestinal infections: A viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection of the digestive system, or food poisoning, can cause a buildup of gas. Examples include Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection, amebiasis, and giardiasis.
• Antibiotics: These can upset the normal intestinal flora, or bacterial flora, in the gut, leading to flatulence.
• Laxatives: Regular and excessive use of laxatives can increase the risk of developing flatulence.

Other causes include pregnancy, a hernia, pancreatitis, Hirschsprung disease, premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, and others.

If there are signs of poisoning or a blockage, or if there is blood in the feces, urgent medical attention is needed.

Flatulence is not usually a serious problem. In most cases, a change in lifestyle and diet is all that is needed.

Diet and digestion

Flatulence can be avoided by not eating foods that are likely to cause it, such as those containing high levels of carbohydrates that cannot be absorbed.

Foods containing carbohydrates that are easier to digest include:

• bananas
• citrus fruits
• grapes
• lettuce
• rice
• yogurt, but people who are lactose intolerant should check with a nutritionist

Other tips

Other ways to reduce flatulence include:

• Eating smaller meals: Symptoms often improve if the person eats four to six smaller meals each day rather than three large ones. Peppermint tea may help.
• Eating slowly: Digestion starts in your mouth, so people must chew foods thoroughly before swallowing.
• Avoiding gum and carbonated drinks: Chewing gum makes people swallow more air. This can increase flatulence.
• Not smoking: Smoking causes people to swallow more air, and it can also irritate the digestive system.
• Choosing low-lactose dairy products: Eliminating foods high in lactose may improve symptoms.
• Choosing beans that are fermented before cooking: These have less soluble fiber and a higher nutritional content and may decrease flatulence.
• Doing exercise: Activity enhances the functioning of the digestive system, and this can help reduce gas and bloating.
• Charcoal pads: Placed inside clothing, these absorb released gas and reduce the impact of foul-smelling gas.
• Probiotics: These may reduce symptoms in some people.

Lifestyle and dietary changes can often lessen flatulence. Treating any underlying health conditions that may be causing gas production can also help.

However, if these are not enough to remove flatulence, over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help.

Persistent pain and discomfort, social embarrassment, and stress are the main complications of flatulence.

However, it may be a good idea to seek advice if:

• excess amounts of gas accumulate
• flatulence occurs frequently
• symptoms start to become more severe
• there is a consistently foul smell
• additional symptoms indicate a possible underlying digestive condition
• sharp, jabbing pains, or cramps, occur in the abdomen, and the pains change places
• there is a bloated feeling or knotted sensation in the abdomen

Severe and persistent flatulence can signifyf an underlying condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

A doctor can help discover the underlying cause of flatulence and suggest ways to relieve symptoms.

They will ask the patient about their medical history and dietary habits and carry out a physical exam to determine whether there is any distension in the abdomen. They may check for gas by tapping the abdomen and listening for a hollow sound.

They may ask about bowel movements, whether there is any straining when passing a stool, whether there is abdominal pain after meals, and how long the flatulence has lasted.

This can help decide whether the patient might have a condition that needs treatment.

It may help to keep a food diary for a while before visiting the doctor.

Flatulence is the expulsion of gas via the anal passage. Gas can build up in the digestive system due to the inhalation of air when eating and as a side effect of the breakdown of food by bacteria in the large intestine.

Flatulence is a normal bodily process and happens to most people 8-14 times per day. Foods high in sugars, fiber, and starches are difficult for the body to digest, which can increase digestive gases.

Lifestyle and dietary modifications can reduce the frequency and volume of flatulence.

Flatulence: Causes, remedies, and complications

Flatulence is a buildup of gas in the digestive system that can lead to abdominal discomfort.

Excessive flatulence can cause discomfort and distress. It often occurs due to eating certain foods, but it can be a sign of a more serious condition. Most people experience flatulence at one time or another.

In most cases, a change of diet and lifestyle can help control excessive gas.

Share on PinterestDesign by Medical News Today; photography by ilbusca/Getty Images

There are two causes of gas buildup in the digestive system. Firstly, when we eat, drink or swallow saliva, we also swallow tiny amounts of air. This swallowed air accumulates in the gut.

Secondly, when we digest food, bacteria create gas, mainly hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. When food decomposes in the digestive system, it can also produce sulfur, which can produce an odor on expulsion.

As the gas builds up, the body may need to eliminate it through the mouth, by belching, or passing wind through the anal passage.

Flatulence often occurs without the person being aware of it. The average person expels gas through the anus 8-14 times per day.

Flatulence can result from normal bodily processes, or it may stem from a condition affecting the digestive system.

Exogenous sources are those that come from outside. We swallow air when we eat, drink, or swallow saliva, especially when the body produces excess saliva due to nausea or acid reflux.

Endogenous sources are inside the gut. Gas may arise as a by-product of the partial digestion of certain foods.

Why do some foods cause more gas?

Certain foods contain sugars, starches, and fibers that the body cannot fully digest. When these items pass to the large intestine, bacteria begin to break them down, creating gas.

Foods that cause flatulence tend to be those high in certain polysaccharides, particularly oligosaccharides, such as inulin. Inulin belongs to a class of dietary fibers known as fructans.

Examples of foods that can worsen flatulence include:

• vegetables such as cabbage, onions, and Brussels sprouts
• cereals, such as wheat or oats
• pulses, including beans and lentils
• dairy produce
• yeast in baked products, such as bread

Here are some reasons why some foods cause more gas, but there are others.

• Complex carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates in beans are difficult for humans to digest. When the complex carbohydrates reach the lower intestine, bacteria feed on them and produce gas.
• Lactose intolerance: When people consume food that contains lactose, such as milk, and lack the enzymes to break it down, the bacteria feed on the lactose. In people with lactose intolerance, this produces large amounts of gas.
• Celiac disease: Intolerance to the protein gluten means that people with celiac disease have excessive flatulence when they consume barley, wheat, and rye.
• Artificial sweeteners: Sorbitol and mannitol are common in candies, chewing gums, and sugar-free sweet foods. Some people develop diarrhea, gas, or both when they consume these substances.
• Fiber supplements: Adding these too rapidly to the diet can cause flatulence, especially if they contain psyllium.
• Carbonated drinks: Fizzy drinks and beer may cause a buildup of gas in the intestinal tract.

Anyone concerned about how their diet may be causing flatulence should ask a doctor or a qualified dietitian for advice.

Conditions that can worsen flatulence

Certain health conditions can cause or worsen flatulence.

• Underlying health conditions: Some chronic conditions can cause flatulence, for example, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis. Some types of cancer can lead to a blockage in the intestines.
• Gallbladder problems: Gallstones and cholecystitis can cause additional gas.
• Constipation: Feces can make it harder to expel excess gas, resulting in further accumulation and discomfort.
• Gastroenteritis and other intestinal infections: A viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection of the digestive system, or food poisoning, can cause a buildup of gas. Examples include Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection, amebiasis, and giardiasis.
• Antibiotics: These can upset the normal intestinal flora, or bacterial flora, in the gut, leading to flatulence.
• Laxatives: Regular and excessive use of laxatives can increase the risk of developing flatulence.

Other causes include pregnancy, a hernia, pancreatitis, Hirschsprung disease, premenstrual syndrome, endometriosis, and others.

If there are signs of poisoning or a blockage, or if there is blood in the feces, urgent medical attention is needed.

Flatulence is not usually a serious problem. In most cases, a change in lifestyle and diet is all that is needed.

Diet and digestion

Flatulence can be avoided by not eating foods that are likely to cause it, such as those containing high levels of carbohydrates that cannot be absorbed.

Foods containing carbohydrates that are easier to digest include:

• bananas
• citrus fruits
• grapes
• lettuce
• rice
• yogurt, but people who are lactose intolerant should check with a nutritionist

Other tips

Other ways to reduce flatulence include:

• Eating smaller meals: Symptoms often improve if the person eats four to six smaller meals each day rather than three large ones. Peppermint tea may help.
• Eating slowly: Digestion starts in your mouth, so people must chew foods thoroughly before swallowing.
• Avoiding gum and carbonated drinks: Chewing gum makes people swallow more air. This can increase flatulence.
• Not smoking: Smoking causes people to swallow more air, and it can also irritate the digestive system.
• Choosing low-lactose dairy products: Eliminating foods high in lactose may improve symptoms.
• Choosing beans that are fermented before cooking: These have less soluble fiber and a higher nutritional content and may decrease flatulence.
• Doing exercise: Activity enhances the functioning of the digestive system, and this can help reduce gas and bloating.
• Charcoal pads: Placed inside clothing, these absorb released gas and reduce the impact of foul-smelling gas.
• Probiotics: These may reduce symptoms in some people.

Lifestyle and dietary changes can often lessen flatulence. Treating any underlying health conditions that may be causing gas production can also help.

However, if these are not enough to remove flatulence, over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help.

Persistent pain and discomfort, social embarrassment, and stress are the main complications of flatulence.

However, it may be a good idea to seek advice if:

• excess amounts of gas accumulate
• flatulence occurs frequently
• symptoms start to become more severe
• there is a consistently foul smell
• additional symptoms indicate a possible underlying digestive condition
• sharp, jabbing pains, or cramps, occur in the abdomen, and the pains change places
• there is a bloated feeling or knotted sensation in the abdomen

Severe and persistent flatulence can signifyf an underlying condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

A doctor can help discover the underlying cause of flatulence and suggest ways to relieve symptoms.

They will ask the patient about their medical history and dietary habits and carry out a physical exam to determine whether there is any distension in the abdomen. They may check for gas by tapping the abdomen and listening for a hollow sound.

They may ask about bowel movements, whether there is any straining when passing a stool, whether there is abdominal pain after meals, and how long the flatulence has lasted.

This can help decide whether the patient might have a condition that needs treatment.

It may help to keep a food diary for a while before visiting the doctor.

Flatulence is the expulsion of gas via the anal passage. Gas can build up in the digestive system due to the inhalation of air when eating and as a side effect of the breakdown of food by bacteria in the large intestine.

Flatulence is a normal bodily process and happens to most people 8-14 times per day. Foods high in sugars, fiber, and starches are difficult for the body to digest, which can increase digestive gases.

Lifestyle and dietary modifications can reduce the frequency and volume of flatulence.

What is flatulence? Symptoms, causes, treatment, recommendations – Sorbex – official site | Sorbex

This is an excessive accumulation of gas in the intestines, which is manifested by bloating, abdominal discomfort and belching. Flatulence is not a separate disease, but a condition that occurs with various pathologies of the digestive system.

Flatulence is a pathology, in the manifestation of which there is an excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines. The violation is accompanied by discomfort in the abdominal cavity and other unpleasant symptoms:

• with or without current/chronic gastrointestinal disease;
• from gas-producing or poor-quality food products.

Signs of increased gas formation

In some cases, we can say that a person has flatulence, the symptoms of the pathology are as follows:

• bloating;
• stool disorder;
• frequent gassing;
• discomfort and pain in the abdominal region.

In some cases, the disorder is due to a concomitant disease. For example, dysbacteriosis, gastritis, gastric ulcer, various intestinal pathologies in the body.

In some cases, rumbling in the intestines is felt, regardless of the diet. A feeling of fullness is associated with flatulence, when clothes seem tight and it is difficult to make habitual movements.

Increased gas formation, in most cases, if the person is healthy, can cause the following reasons:

• Wrong diet. Intestinal flatulence occurs due to the presence in the diet of a large amount of food, which contains indigestible carbohydrates.
• Consumption of carbonated drinks. Due to the abundance of carbon dioxide, sugary drinks also often cause bloating and flatulence.
• Conversation while eating. Food, along with air, enters the gastrointestinal tract, which causes flatulence, bloating, gases. For this reason, flatulence often appears in infants.
• Food intolerance. In individual cases, products can cause intestinal discomfort, intestinal dysbiosis and gases. For example, with lactase deficiency, the body cannot support the process of digesting a product such as milk lactose.
• Frequent constipation. They cause a slowdown in the movement of food through the intestines, the likelihood of fermentation increases due to the gases released. The disruption can also lead to the development of hemorrhoids.

Flatulence as a symptom of disease

Sometimes flatulence is not just a sign of bowel disorder due to improper eating. The phenomenon is often associated with the development of gastrointestinal diseases. The most common disorders:

• intestinal dysbacteriosis;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• intestinal obstruction;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: pancreatitis, colitis, enteritis;
• intestinal atony.

Few people know that flatulence in adults is also manifested due to an unstable psychological state: prolonged depression, constant fear. Therefore, with flatulence, in some cases, it is advisable to help not only a gastroenterologist, but also a psychologist.

How to treat flatulence

Planning for the treatment of flatulence depends on the patient’s condition. If the cause of the disease is a disease, comprehensive measures should be taken to improve and alleviate the pathology in the body.

Flatulence, disruption and disruption of bowel function, can also be prevented by quitting smoking.

And if flatulence is already bothering you, keep medicines in your medicine cabinet to alleviate the symptom, Sorbex® will work in a short time after taking it.

SORBEX® Classic

SORBEX® Ultra

Sorbex® and dietary supplement Sorbex ® Ultra are based on advanced activated carbon. For adults, it is recommended to take Sorbex ® for flatulence 1-3 capsules 3-4 times, 1.5-2 hours before or after meals or medicines.

Due to the special form in the form of granules, the duration of action of the drug is 36-48 hours. Sorbex Ultra adults should take 1 capsule 2-3 times a day 1-1.5 hours before or after meals or medicines.

Sorbex®, Sorbex® Ultra reduce the absorption of gases, toxins, and other substances, promote their removal.

The second group of drugs – drugs against gas formation – simethicone, chamomile, fennel, etc. If the doctor has ruled out the presence of diseases, it is possible to get rid of flatulence in the following way:

• Enterosorbents Sorbex® is an additive that is safe for health and is not absorbed into the blood. Based on activated carbon in granular form. Capsules designed for adults – Sorbex Duo, Sorbex Ultra, children – Sorbex Baby. The recommended number of capsules for adults with flatulence is up to 3 at a time, depending on the drug chosen.

  For children, the supplement is available in portion sachets. The main action of drugs is the binding and excretion of harmful substances from the body that provoke the formation of gases. Treatment with enterosorbents is not possible, but relief of symptoms can be achieved.

• Non-absorbent antibiotics. These are drugs that are not absorbed into the blood, but have a negative effect on harmful microorganisms that provoke the formation of gases, and then pass out with feces.
• Food. If flatulence is a concern, treatment should also include the development of a diet that excludes foods that provoke the symptom.

Foods that cause flatulence

Some foods, after a certain time after ingestion, cause increased formation of gases in the intestines or upset, bloating.

Dairy products: all cheeses, milk-based sweets (e.g. ice cream, yogurt). Moreover, the process of gas formation is observed in a short time (up to several hours) after the use of these products.

• Vegetables – bloating occurs after eating cabbage, onions, radishes, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes. Such a product should be thermally processed, then the gas generation process will be less intense.
• Fruits: peaches, apples, grapes, bananas, apricots. They must be present in the diet, but separately from the main diet.
• Bakery products – any food made on the basis of yeast dough (buns, bread, pizza) causes upset and flatulence.
• Legumes: any peas, beans, beans. They should be consumed in limited quantities.
• Cereal crops – gastrointestinal disorders are caused by oats, processed bran, wheat germ.
• Other products: beer, food with mushrooms, raisins.

Before using these products, you should be prepared for possible disturbances in the body and have a sorbent on hand or, if possible, consume the minimum amount of this food.

Why is self-treatment of flatulence dangerous? Flatulence can lead to the development of pathologies:

• formation of adhesions in the intestines;
• helminthic infestations;
• intestinal stenosis.

In order to treat flatulence and to prevent complications, the doctor will prescribe a number of studies that will assess the general condition of the patient:

• blood test;
• Abdominal ultrasonography.

Based on the results, the doctor prescribes treatment in an inpatient or outpatient setting, with periodic blood sampling for research and the appointment of other procedures that monitor the patient’s health.

How to prevent increased gas formation: recommendations

If flatulence develops, the diet will undoubtedly bring healing effects, but this is not enough for the human body. In general, an unhealthy lifestyle leads to discomfort.

Therefore, to avoid flatulence, pay attention to the recommendations:

• avoid stress;
• give your body a proper rest;
• complete treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in time;
• should not be distracted while eating;
• power must not be “on the fly”;
• Periodically arrange “fasting” days for the body, which will prevent disturbances in the digestive tract;
• Make sure you get enough physical activity every day.

If you are worried about flatulence after eating, gastroenterologists give the following advice:

• food should be chewed well;
• number of meals – at least 4-5 times a day in small portions;
• food should be varied, each meal at a certain time;
• drinks should not be drunk through a straw;
• The process of eating sweet food should be planned separately from the main meal, preferably 2-3 hours after the protein meal.

Gas, bowel dysfunction and disturbance can also be prevented by quitting smoking. And if flatulence is already bothering you, keep medicines in your medicine cabinet to relieve the symptom, Sorbex® will work in a short time after taking it.

Remember,

SELF-MEDING CAN BE HARMFUL FOR YOUR HEALTH!

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how to solve this problem?.

Multi-probiotic BAK-SET

Flatulence is a fairly common disorder associated with excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines. Most often occurs against the background of indigestion. Delivers severe discomfort and worsens the quality of life. Find out what causes constant flatulence and bloating and how to eliminate them.

Causes of flatulence

Excessive formation of gases in the intestines is one of the main signs of disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. This results in bloating. The main signs of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract also include:

• abdominal pain,
• spasms in the intestines,
• feeling of heaviness,
• rumbling in the stomach,
• frequent passing of gases.

Can’t handle constant flatulence and bloating? Seek advice from a specialist. These symptoms may indicate diseases of the stomach and various infectious processes. If the gastrointestinal tract is normal, it is worth reviewing the diet. The following foods can provoke flatulence:

• legumes – beans, lentils, chickpeas;
• vegetables – cabbage, onion, radish;
• fruits – grapes, sour apples;
• black and white bread, pastries;
• beer, kvass, carbonated drinks.

Bloating and increased gas production may also be associated with an imbalance in the intestinal microflora. With a decrease in the population of beneficial bacteria, the processes of fermentation of food are disrupted, which increases gas formation. To normalize digestion and eliminate flatulence, you can drink a course of probiotic preparations.

What probiotics to buy?

BAK-SET Baby and BAK-SET Forte are new generation probiotics. The complexes contain live beneficial bacteria of original origin. They contribute to the destruction of opportunistic strains and the restoration of colonies of beneficial microorganisms. With a course of taking probiotics, the main manifestations of intestinal disorders, including bloating and flatulence, are eliminated.