What are the main causes of excessive flatulence. How can dietary changes help reduce gas. What medical conditions may lead to increased flatulence. Which home remedies and lifestyle adjustments can alleviate gas discomfort. When should you consult a doctor about flatulence issues.

Understanding Flatulence: A Natural Bodily Function

Flatulence, commonly known as passing wind or farting, is a normal physiological process that occurs when gas is released from the digestive system through the anus. This natural phenomenon happens as a result of gas accumulation in the digestive tract, which can occur due to various factors.

How often do people typically experience flatulence? According to the National Institutes of Health, the average person passes gas between 13 and 21 times a day. This frequency is considered normal and is part of healthy digestive function.

The Composition of Intestinal Gas

What exactly makes up the gas we expel? Intestinal gas is primarily composed of:

• Oxygen
• Nitrogen
• Hydrogen
• Carbon dioxide
• Methane (occasionally)

These gases are produced as a result of various digestive processes and the breakdown of food in our gut.

Common Causes of Excessive Flatulence

While passing gas is normal, some individuals may experience excessive flatulence. What factors contribute to increased gas production? Let’s explore the primary causes:

Swallowing Air (Aerophagia)

One of the main ways gas accumulates in the digestive system is through swallowing air, a process known as aerophagia. This can occur during eating and drinking, but certain habits can increase the amount of air swallowed:

• Chewing gum
• Smoking
• Wearing loose dentures
• Sucking on objects like pen tops
• Drinking carbonated beverages
• Eating or drinking too quickly

Can reducing these habits help decrease flatulence? In many cases, yes. Being mindful of these behaviors and making conscious efforts to avoid them can significantly reduce the amount of air swallowed and, consequently, the frequency of flatulence.

Dietary Choices and Their Impact on Gas Production

The foods we consume play a crucial role in gas production. Which food groups are most likely to cause excessive flatulence? Carbohydrates are known to be primary culprits, while proteins and fats generally produce less gas. However, some proteins can lead to stronger-smelling flatulence.

Foods that commonly increase gas production include:

• Beans and lentils
• Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts)
• Whole grains
• Dairy products
• Fruits like apples, pears, and prunes
• Foods high in fructose or sorbitol
• Processed foods

Why do these foods cause more gas? Many of these items take longer to digest or contain compounds that the body cannot fully absorb. As a result, they pass from the intestines to the colon without being completely broken down. The bacteria in the colon then ferment these undigested food particles, releasing gases as a byproduct.

Medical Conditions Associated with Excessive Flatulence

In some cases, excessive flatulence may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. What health issues can lead to increased gas production?

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Lactose intolerance
• Gastroparesis
• Constipation
• Gastroenteritis
• Diabetes
• Eating disorders
• Ulcerative colitis
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Peptic ulcers

If dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments don’t alleviate excessive flatulence, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional to rule out these underlying conditions.

Effective Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes for Managing Flatulence

How can you reduce excessive flatulence through lifestyle modifications? Here are several strategies that may help:

Keeping a Food Diary

Why is tracking your food intake beneficial? A food diary can help you identify specific foods that trigger excessive gas in your body. Once you’ve pinpointed these trigger foods, you can try reducing or eliminating them from your diet to see if it improves your symptoms.

Dietary Adjustments

What dietary changes can help reduce flatulence?

• Replace hard-to-digest carbohydrates with easier alternatives like rice and bananas
• Gradually increase fiber intake to allow your body to adjust
• Avoid foods that you’ve identified as personal gas triggers
• Consider temporarily reducing intake of known gas-producing foods

Eating Habits

How can changing your eating habits impact gas production?

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large ones
• Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly to reduce air swallowing
• Avoid talking while eating, which can increase air intake

Hydration and Exercise

Can drinking water and exercising help with flatulence? Yes, both can be beneficial:

• Staying hydrated helps prevent constipation, which can contribute to gas buildup
• Regular exercise promotes healthy digestion and can help reduce gas

Probiotics

How do probiotics affect gut health and gas production? Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, can help promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria. This may lead to improved digestion and reduced gas production in some individuals.

Medical Treatments for Excessive Flatulence

When should you consider medical treatments for flatulence? If lifestyle changes and home remedies don’t provide sufficient relief, or if flatulence is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s time to consult a healthcare provider. They may recommend various treatments based on the underlying cause:

Over-the-Counter Remedies

• Simethicone: Helps break up gas bubbles in the digestive tract
• Activated charcoal: May help absorb excess gas
• Enzyme supplements: Can aid in the digestion of certain problem foods

Prescription Medications

In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medications to address underlying conditions contributing to excessive flatulence. These might include:

• Antibiotics for bacterial overgrowth
• Prokinetics to improve gut motility
• Antispasmodics to reduce intestinal spasms

When to Seek Medical Attention for Flatulence Issues

While flatulence is usually harmless, there are instances when it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional. When should you be concerned about excessive gas?

• If flatulence is accompanied by severe abdominal pain or bloating
• When there’s a sudden and unexplained increase in gas production
• If you notice changes in your bowel movements or stool consistency
• When gas is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
• If you experience persistent diarrhea or constipation
• When flatulence significantly impacts your quality of life or daily activities

A healthcare provider can perform a thorough evaluation, which may include physical examinations, dietary assessments, and possibly diagnostic tests to identify any underlying conditions contributing to excessive flatulence.

The Role of Gut Microbiome in Flatulence

How does the gut microbiome influence gas production? The trillions of bacteria residing in our intestines play a crucial role in digestion and, consequently, in gas production. The balance of different bacterial species can significantly impact how efficiently we break down food and the amount of gas produced as a byproduct.

Factors Affecting Gut Microbiome

What influences the composition of our gut microbiome?

• Diet: The foods we eat directly impact the types of bacteria that thrive in our gut
• Antibiotics: Can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, potentially leading to increased gas
• Stress: High stress levels can negatively affect gut bacteria composition
• Sleep patterns: Poor sleep may impact gut health and digestion
• Exercise: Regular physical activity promotes a healthy gut microbiome

Promoting a Healthy Gut Microbiome

How can we support a healthy gut microbiome to potentially reduce excessive flatulence?

• Consume a diverse range of plant-based foods
• Include fermented foods in your diet (e.g., yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut)
• Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods to feed beneficial gut bacteria
• Limit processed foods and artificial sweeteners
• Consider probiotic supplements after consulting with a healthcare provider

By nurturing a healthy gut microbiome, you may improve your overall digestive health and potentially reduce issues with excessive flatulence.

The Psychological Impact of Excessive Flatulence

While flatulence is a natural bodily function, excessive gas can have psychological effects on individuals. How does flatulence impact mental health and social interactions?

Social Anxiety and Embarrassment

Excessive flatulence can lead to:

• Increased social anxiety in public settings
• Embarrassment and self-consciousness
• Avoidance of social situations or intimate relationships
• Decreased self-esteem and confidence

Coping Strategies

How can individuals cope with the psychological impact of excessive flatulence?

• Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation or deep breathing
• Seek support from trusted friends or family members
• Consider cognitive-behavioral therapy to address anxiety or negative thought patterns
• Join support groups or online communities for individuals with similar concerns
• Focus on managing the physical symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes

Remember, flatulence is a normal bodily function, and most people experience it. If excessive gas is causing significant distress, it’s important to address both the physical and psychological aspects with the help of healthcare professionals.

Flatulence in Different Life Stages

How does flatulence vary across different life stages, and what unique considerations should be taken into account?

Infants and Children

Why do babies and young children often experience more gas?

• Immature digestive systems are still developing
• Swallowing air during feeding (especially bottle-fed babies)
• Introduction of new foods during weaning

Parents can help by:

• Ensuring proper latch during breastfeeding
• Using appropriate bottle nipples to reduce air intake
• Burping babies regularly during and after feeds
• Introducing new foods gradually

Adolescents and Young Adults

What factors contribute to flatulence in this age group?

• Dietary changes, including increased consumption of processed foods
• Stress from academic or social pressures
• Hormonal changes affecting digestion

Management strategies include:

• Maintaining a balanced diet
• Practicing stress-management techniques
• Staying physically active

Older Adults

Why might older adults experience changes in flatulence patterns?

• Decreased digestive enzyme production
• Slower gastrointestinal motility
• Increased use of medications that may affect digestion
• Changes in diet or physical activity levels

Strategies for managing flatulence in older adults include:

• Regular exercise to promote healthy digestion
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals
• Staying hydrated
• Discussing medication side effects with healthcare providers

Understanding how flatulence patterns may change throughout life can help individuals better manage their symptoms and maintain digestive health at every stage.

Causes, Remedies, Complications, and More

While most people experience flatulence, swallowing air or eating certain foods like broccoli may cause it to occur more frequently. Some health conditions like celiac disease may cause excessive gas.

Also known as farting, passing wind, or having gas, flatulence is a medical term for releasing gas from the digestive system through the anus. It happens when gas collects inside the digestive system and is a normal process.

Gas collects in the digestive tract when your body breaks down food. It can also happen when you swallow air while eating or drinking. Gas is usually made up of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and occasionally methane.

On average, people experience flatulence between 13 and 21 times a day, according to the National Institutes of Health. Some conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and gastroparesis can cause excessive flatulence. You may also pass wind more frequently if you eat certain foods.

In some cases, gas can cause pain and bloating and affect your daily activities. Adjusting your diet, taking medications, and exercising may help reduce gas discomfort.

Gas collects in two main ways. Swallowing air (aerophagia) while you eat or drink can cause oxygen and nitrogen to collect in the digestive tract. Second, as your body breaks down food, gases like hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide collect in the digestive tract. Either method can cause flatulence.

Swallowing air

It’s natural to swallow air throughout the day, normally during eating and drinking. Typically, you’ll only swallow a small amount of air.

If you frequently swallow more air, you may find that you experience excessive flatulence. It may also cause burping.

Reasons that you may swallow more air than normal include:

• chewing gum
• smoking
• wearing loose dentures
• sucking on objects like pen tops
• drinking carbonated beverages
• eating or drinking too quickly

Dietary choices

The foods you eat could lead to excessive flatulence. Carbohydrates, for example, are known to cause gas.

Proteins and fats tend to cause less gas than carbohydrates. Some proteins can cause gas to have a stronger odor, though.

Some foods that increase gas include:

• beans
• cabbage
• broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• whole grains
• asparagus
• milk
• dairy products
• onions
• pears
• artichokes
• wheat
• oat bran
• peas
• potatoes
• corn
• raisins
• lentils
• prunes
• apples
• foods high in fructose or sorbitol, like fruit juices and sugar-free candies
• processed foods

These foods can take a long time to digest, leading to the unpleasant smell associated with flatulence. Also, there are some foods the body can’t fully absorb. This means that they pass from the intestines to the colon without being completely digested first.

The colon contains a large amount of bacteria that then break down the food, releasing gases as they do so. The buildup of this gas causes flatulence.

Not all foods will cause gas in all people. Keeping track of the foods you eat and flatulence symptoms you experience can help narrow down which ones cause gas in your body.

Underlying conditions

If your diet doesn’t contain a large amount of carbohydrates or sugars, and you don’t swallow excessive air, your excessive flatulence may be caused by a medical condition.

The conditions that can cause flatulence range from temporary health issues to chronic digestive problems. Some of these conditions include:

• constipation
• gastroenteritis
• food intolerances, like lactose intolerance
• IBS
• Crohn’s disease
• celiac disease
• diabetes
• eating disorders
• ulcerative colitis
• dumping syndrome
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• autoimmune pancreatitis
• peptic ulcers

You may be able to relieve excess gas and reduce flatulence through a mix of lifestyle changes and diet adjustments. Home remedies for flatulence include:

• Keeping a food diary. This will help you figure out which foods increase gas in your body. After you identify some foods that cause you excessive flatulence, you can try to eat less of them or avoid them altogether.
• Adjusting your diet. If your diet includes a large amount of carbohydrates that are difficult to digest, try to replace them. Carbohydrates that are easier to digest, such rice and bananas, are substitutes that may reduce flatulence.
• Eating smaller meals more frequently. Eating around five to six small meals a day instead of three larger ones may be easier on your digestive system.
• Trying to swallow less air. Avoid doing anything that may increase the amount of air that you swallow. This includes making sure that you’re chewing your food properly, and avoiding chewing gum, smoking, and straws.
• Drinking lots of water. Staying hydrated can help you avoid constipation, which causes gas.
• Exercising regularly. Some people find that exercising helps to promote digestion and can prevent flatulence.
• Taking probiotics. Probiotics, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, may promote regular digestion, which can help reduce gas. These can be found in over-the-counter (OTC) supplements and fermented foods, like sauerkraut and yogurt.
• Using charcoal pads. Lining your underwear with a “fart pad” made of charcoal could help reduce odor in some cases of excessive flatulence.
• Changing your posture. Sitting in an upright position can help your body release excess gas.
• Using a heating pad. Placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly can help reduce pain and cramping from excess gas.
• Consuming ginger. Ginger is known to promote digestion. Improving your digestion may help relieve flatulence and bloating.

Medications can also be used to treat flatulence, depending on the cause of the problem. Treatment options include:

• OTC medications: Drugstores offer a variety of medications, like bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and simethicone (Gas-X, Phazyme), that can help relieve flatulence.
• Prescription drugs: Certain prescription medications can target underlying conditions, like IBS or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, that cause gas. Treating the condition may, in turn, reduce flatulence.
• Supplements: If you’re lactose intolerant, taking lactase (available OTC) may help relieve gas when you consume dairy products. Another supplement, alpha-galactosidase (Beano), can help the body break down legumes and vegetables in order to reduce gas.

Before adding any medications or supplements to your diet, consider checking in with a healthcare professional to make sure they’re safe for you.

If you’re concerned about flatulence, connect with a healthcare professional. They’ll ask about:

• your symptoms
• your diet
• your eating and drinking habits (like meal sizes and how quickly you eat)
• medications and supplements you take
• your medical history

They may also conduct a physical exam to check for swelling, tenderness, or sounds in your abdomen. This may include a physical exam of your rectum.

A healthcare professional may order additional medical tests, including X-rays, blood tests, and stool tests, to see if a potential health problem is behind your flatulence.

You may need to keep a food diary and adjust your eating habits as you work to find the cause of your excess gas.

Severe and persistent flatulence can make an impact on your physical well-being. It may cause pain, cramping, bloating, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Excess gas can also create complications for your mental health. You may find it stressful or embarrassing to deal with frequent flatulence, especially in social situations.

Relieving gas with home remedies, medications, or both can help reduce the likelihood of complications, though. Try different strategies to see which ones work best for you, and consider talking with a healthcare professional if flatulence is causing complications in your life.

If you have unexplained flatulence, or if you experience the following symptoms along with flatulence, you should see your doctor:

• swollen abdomen
• abdominal pain
• gas that’s persistent and severe
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• unintentional weight loss
• heartburn
• blood in stool

These symptoms may be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

How to stop farting: 12 tips and remedies

Tips for reducing gassiness and the passing of wind include eating slowly, avoiding gum, and limiting the intake of fizzy drinks. However, excessive flatulence may be a sign of an underlying condition that needs medical attention.

Farting is a natural part of the digestion cycle. It is essential that the body releases the gas it produces. If not, it can build up and become very uncomfortable.

People can expect to fart between 5 and 15 times per day. This may seem like a lot, but it is entirely normal. Most farts do not smell and are not noisy, and so they go unnoticed.

Many people may feel as though they are unusually gassy, but it is probably just because they are more aware of their farts than anybody else’s. It is usual to pass 1–3 pints of gas per day.

For those who feel as though they have excessive gas, there are several steps to reduce flatulence. Here, we look at 12 possible remedies.

Share on PinterestEating quickly causes excess air to enter the body, which can lead to trapped wind.

There is usually no need to worry about farting. While some people do it more than others, it is a regular part of how the body works.

However, if a person feels that their farting has changed, or it is making them feel particularly embarrassed and uncomfortable, there are some things they can try to reduce the amount they fart:

1. Eat meals and snacks slowly and carefully

The majority of gas produced by the body forms because of swallowed air. A person cannot completely avoid swallowing air, but certain habits can cause excess air to enter the body. Eating too quickly is one of them.

Eating slowly with the mouth closed will reduce the amount of air a person swallows at mealtimes. People should try to sit down and take time over food rather than eating on the go.

2. Stop chewing gum

Many people chew gum to keep their breath fresh and to help avoid snacking. However, those that do may find they have more gas than others. Chewing gum means continually swallowing air, which builds up and increases the number of times a person needs to fart.

3. Look out for food intolerances and allergies

Different people may be sensitive to different foods and may have allergies that bring about a reaction in the body. These can lead to gas and other unpleasant symptoms, such as bloating, nausea, and diarrhea.

A person with excessive gas may find that an elimination diet helps. An elimination diet is where a person would cut out all of the known gas-causing foods before introducing them back in, one at a time, to find out which ones cause the problems.

4. Avoid tight-fitting clothes

Loose clothing helps to ensure a person remains as comfortable as possible should bloating occur. Wearing clothes that are not too tight also helps when gas does occur, allowing it to pass freely out of the body.

5. Avoid or reduce intake of gas-producing foods

Some foods are known to increase gas production. Carbohydrates that contain fructose, lactose, insoluble fiber, and starch ferment in the large intestine. Gas releases as they ferment.

Cutting these foods out entirely, however, is not recommended, as they are an essential part of a healthful, balanced diet.

Fruit and vegetables can often cause gas, but eating several portions of fruit and vegetables a day is more important than eliminating gas. However, reducing the amount of these gas-producing foods may help to minimize a person’s flatulence.

Foods to eat less of include:

• Beans, green leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and asparagus. These vegetables contain complex sugars that are difficult for the body to break down.
• Soft drinks, fruit juice, and other fruits, as well as onions, pears, and artichokes. All of these foods contain fructose, a gas-producing ingredient.
• Dairy products as dairy foods and drinks contain lactose, which can also cause gas to build up.
• Fruits, oat bran, peas, and beans. These foods all contain insoluble fiber.
• Starchy foods, such as potatoes, pasta, corn, and products that contain wheat.

6. Give up smoking

People who smoke swallow more air than those who do not. The more frequently a person smokes, the more air they swallow. There are, of course, lots of other health benefits to giving up smoking, too.

People who use e-cigarettes also swallow more air than people who do not, so avoiding e-cigarettes could also help when a person has excess gas.

7. Do more exercise

Regular exercise helps keep the digestive system in good shape. A gentle walk after large meals can also help kick the digestive system into action and move the food along smoothly.

Share on PinterestStaying hydrated reduces the likelihood of constipation, by allowing waste to pass smoothly through the digestive system.

8. Drink plenty of fluids

Staying well-hydrated encourages waste to pass smoothly through a person’s digestive system. This helps keep their stools soft, and so drinking enough through the day is essential.

Also, a lack of fluid may cause constipation, which can result in smelly wind.

People should try to drink a glass of water with every meal to help the body digest foods more easily.

9. Avoid carbonated beverages

Carbonated beverages contain air bubbles, and a person who drinks a lot of carbonated beverages may find they burp and fart more than others.

When someone reduces or removes these types of drinks from their diet, it may help cut the amount of gas they have.

10. Take probiotics

Probiotics are supplements that contain the healthy bacteria already found in a person’s digestive tract. These good bacteria help to break down food, and can even work to break down the hydrogen gas that is produced during digestion.

Occasionally, probiotics may cause an increase in gas and bloating. This is usually short-lived, and it will probably lessen when the body gets used to the new bacteria.

Many probiotic supplements are available online.

11. Try enzyme supplements

Research suggests that enzyme supplements can aid the breakdown of proteins and complex carbohydrates. This means they could help with numerous digestive diseases and their symptoms.

If complex carbohydrates can be broken down in the small intestine, a person will produce less gas.

However, if they do not break down in the small intestine and move to the large intestine, it is the gas-producing bacteria that work to break them down. This means more gas will develop that will need to be released.

Lactase enzyme supplements may help people whose excess gas is caused by lactose intolerance. Lactase is the enzyme that helps people digest dairy products, and so can make people less gassy after eating meals that include dairy. These supplements are also available to purchase online.

Share on PinterestPeppermint tea can settle the stomach and aid digestion, which may reduce excess gas.

12. Tackle constipation

Constipation could be a cause of excess gas. If stool remains in the colon for extended periods of time, it will continue to ferment inside the body. This produces extra gas that can smell particularly foul.

Treatment for constipation varies. However, drinking lots of water and increasing fiber intake can help to reduce the risk of it occurring.

Certain medications and stool softeners, which are available online, can also help.

General tips

Do

• eat little and often, and avoid huge meals
• take time to chew food and take sips rather than large gulps of drinks
• take regular exercise, which will help to improve digestion
• eat a healthful, balanced diet
• drink peppermint tea, which is thought to aid digestion and settle the stomach

Do not

• smoke
• chew gum, suck pen tops, or hard sweets
• wear dentures that do not fit properly
• eat any trigger foods that are hard to digest, or foods known to cause farts

If a person is embarrassed about excessive wind or farts that smell, they can speak to a pharmacist. A pharmacist may recommend specific medication or remedies to help.

Charcoal tablets are thought to absorb excess gas in the stomach, which could reduce flatulence.

A person who has smelly wind could also try special underwear and pads that absorb the smells.

Many farts are due to swallowing air throughout the day. Swallowing air is not something a person can entirely avoid.

Other gas develops as the gut works to break down the foods a person eats.

Farts are a combination of mostly odorless gases, such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sometimes methane.

Excessive or smelly wind can occasionally be a sign of a medical problem. If a person has concerns about their flatulence, they should make an appointment with their doctor.

Farting can be a symptom of conditions that may require medical treatment, such as:

• constipation
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• indigestion
• celiac disease
• food intolerances or allergies

Certain medications can also cause excessive or smelly wind. It is essential always to consult with a doctor before stopping or switching medication.

Excess gas is not usually anything to be concerned about. Making a few lifestyle changes can often help improve symptoms.

However, in some instances, excess farting could be a sign of something more serious. A person should make an appointment with their doctor if excess gas is accompanied by:

• stomach aches or pain
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• unexpected weight loss
• blood in stool
• continual instances of constipation or diarrhea
• high temperature or feeling hot and shivery

If flatulence affects a person’s life badly, and dietary and lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications have not worked, they should see a doctor for further advice.

Flatulence – Hadassah Medical Moscow

Enroll

Flatulence is a condition in which an excessive amount of gases accumulates in the gastrointestinal tract. It is associated with their increased education or impaired output. Most often, gases accumulate in the stomach, but can also be found in the folds of the colon. Symptoms of flatulence occur in all people – including healthy ones. They may appear due to overeating,

the use of gas-producing or indigestible foods. Also, flatulence is a sign of many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. If you often experience bloating and it makes you uncomfortable, see your doctor.

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Symptoms of bloating

From time to time, the symptoms of bloating occur in absolutely all people. Gases accumulated in the gastrointestinal tract can be expelled through belching, rectum, exhalation, and blood. Flatulence is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Frequent belching of air;
• Fullness in abdomen;
• Frequent rumbling in the abdomen;
• Depressive mood, insomnia;
• Sensation of pressure under the stomach;

Fast food satiety.

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Causes of flatulence

Gas production in the gastrointestinal tract is not a disease, but a natural process. However, an increase in this symptom can occur with many diseases. Among the non-pathological causes of flatulence are nutritional features. Can cause gas by eating:

• Gas-forming products – cabbage, legumes, sweet apples, carbonated drinks;
• Foods that cause fermentation in the stomach – black bread, sinewy meat, beer, kvass;
• Dairy products;
• Mineral water.

Pathological causes of flatulence include:

• Parasitic infection;
• Infectious process in the intestines;
• Dysbacteriosis;
• Acute inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract – enteritis, pancreatitis, colitis;
• Intestinal obstruction.

Also, pregnant women suffer from flatulence in the later stages: the fetus and the enlarged uterus compress the intestinal loops. Bloating can also occur due to neurotic conditions in which the regulation in the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed.

Methods for diagnosing bloating

If flatulence begins to cause discomfort, you should consult a doctor. Diagnosis of bloating is done by a gastroenterologist. After collecting an anamnesis and palpation of the abdomen, he will send for the following studies:

Complete and biochemical analysis of blood

General analysis of feces

Complete analysis of urine

Analysis for tumor markers and markers of intestinal inflammation

Endoscopic examination of the stomach with biopsy

Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity

9000 2 CRT and MRI

Colonoscopy

Meteorism treatment methods

Approach to the treatment of flatulence is selected by a gastroenterologist based on the diagnostic results. Usually, therapy includes taking medications to break down gases and normalize the microflora of the colon. The patient is prescribed:

• Enzymes. Improve the digestive system, provide good absorption – Festal, Pancreatin;
• Sorbents. Reduce the formation of gases – Phosphalugel, Enterosgel;
• Carminatives. Promote the release of gases from the intestines – Espumizan;
• Prokinetics. Facilitate the movement of food through the intestines – Domperidone, Cerucal;
• Probiotics and prebiotics. Improve microflora – Bifiform, Lineks.

If the diagnosis showed that the patient has diseases in the gastrointestinal tract, the treatment tactics are selected based on it. In case of intolerance to synthetic drugs, remedies from natural ingredients are prescribed – based on dill or fennel. Treatment of flatulence also includes following a special diet with the exclusion of gas-forming products.

Prevention and treatment programs for flatulence at the Hadassah Clinic

Nutrition is the main thing in the prevention of bloating. If it is possible to exclude gas-producing foods from the diet, then the likelihood of flatulence will be minimal. Also remember the following tips:

• If you have lactose intolerance, avoid dairy products;
• Be active and exercise;
• Avoid chewing gums, sodas and hard candies;
• Increase the amount of plant foods in your diet.

Flatulence is a common problem. If it gives you discomfort, contact the Hadassah clinic in Moscow. Specialists will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis, determine the cause of such a phenomenon and prescribe an effective treatment.

Text verified by an expert doctor

Pyanykh
Olga Pavlovna

Endocrinologist, dietitian, Ph.D.

Work experience: 11 years

Published: 07/12/2023

The information provided on the site is for reference only and cannot serve as a basis for making a diagnosis or prescribing treatment. Internal consultation of the expert is necessary.

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