What Is Vaginal Flatulence? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Medically Reviewed

Vaginal flatulence, also known as vaginal flatus, or queef, is an emission of trapped air from the vagina. Vaginal flatulence is both common and completely normal. It most frequently occurs during sexual activity or exercise.

Overwhelmingly, it doesn’t pose any gynecological health risks.

Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Flatulence

Whether you call it a queef, a vaginal fart, vaginal gas, or even a “vart,” the passage of air through the vaginal canal produces a sound that’s similar to anal flatulence. But unlike a fart, a vaginal release of air doesn’t have a gassy odor.

Common Questions & Answers

What is a queef?

It’s the (very common) emission of trapped air from the vagina.

What causes vaginal farts?

Sexual intercourse, pelvic exams, exercise, pregnancy, and menopause can all cause vaginal farts. Sometimes the anatomical structure of your pelvic floor may make you more likely to expel trapped air from your vagina.

When should I worry about vaginal farts?

Vaginal flatulence is perfectly normal, but if it occurs with symptoms like bad-smelling vaginal discharge, frequent UTIs, irritation or pain in the area, or pain during sex, you should see a doctor.

How do you treat vaginal farts?

Since vaginal farts are common, there’s no need to treat them. On rare occasions, however, the flatulence is a sign of a medical issue, such as pelvic organ prolapse or rectovaginal fistulas. Surgery can treat both of those conditions.

Causes and Risk Factors of Vaginal Flatulence

Much of the information compiled on vaginal flatulence — especially on the internet — is anecdotal, and more research would likely offer us a better understanding of what might make some women more likely to queef. With that caveat in mind, there are a number of situations and factors associated with vaginal flatulence, including:

• Sexual Intercourse or Inserting an Object in the Vagina When something is inserted into the vagina, it can displace the air inside. It’s possible to experience vaginal flatulence during a pelvic exam, when a doctor inserts or removes a speculum.
• Exercise or Stretching Movements during exercise can cause air to become trapped inside the vagina. Women often report vaginal flatulence during certain physical activities, such as yoga.
• Pregnancy or Menopause Some women report more episodes of vaginal flatulence during pregnancy or menopause.
• Pelvic Floor Anatomy Everyone’s pelvic floor is slightly unique, and some may be more prone than others to expelling trapped air.

A rare cause of vaginal flatulence is a vaginal fistula. A fistula is an abnormal opening that connects the vagina to another organ, such as your bladder, colon, or rectum. If the fistula is connected to the colon or rectum, it can cause the passage of stool from the vagina. Childbirth, cancer treatments, injury, and certain surgical procedures can lead to the formation of a fistula, but again, it’s highly uncommon. See your doctor if your queefs smell bad, or if you notice an unusual discharge.

Diagnosis of Vaginal Flatulence

While there aren’t specific tests or procedures to determine if these air emissions are simply the occasional result of air escaping from the vagina, your doctor may perform a pelvic exam to rule out a more serious problem.

Duration of Vaginal Flatulence

A queef typically lasts a few seconds during or after sex or during exercise.

Treatment of Vaginal Flatulence

Because vaginal flatulence is a normal occurrence, there’s no need to treat it or seek a remedy for it.

But there may be times when queefing is associated with a medical issue that requires treatment.

Some research has found an association between pelvic organ prolapse and vaginal flatulence, but the evidence is lacking and inconsistent. Prolapse occurs when any of the pelvic organs drop down due to weakness in the supporting structures.

Childbirth and other conditions that put pressure on pelvic tissues can cause this.

If your vaginal flatulence happens to be associated with prolapse, treatment might involve using a pessary — a plastic or rubber circular device that fits into the vagina and supports tissues that were displaced by prolapse — and trying to strengthen your pelvic muscles by performing Kegel exercises.

To perform Kegels, squeeze the muscles you use to stop urinating. Hold this contraction for up to 10 seconds and then relax for 10 seconds, making sure to concentrate on contracting just your pelvic floor muscles, as opposed to your abdominal muscles as well. Try to work up to at least three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions each day. As a side note, do not do Kegels while urinating. This can cause insufficient emptying of the bladder, which can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Depending on the severity of the prolapse, surgery may be necessary.

You should see your doctor if you have vaginal flatulence paired with more worrying symptoms including:

• Stool or pus coming from your vagina
• Vaginal discharge that smells bad or off
• Frequent vaginal or urinary tract infections
• Irritation or pain in vulva, vagina, or area between vagina and anus
• Pain during sex

If you have these symptoms, queefing could be a sign of a rectovaginal fistula — which is rare.

Prevention of Vaginal Flatulence

Queefs happen naturally during sex and exercise, and there may not be much you can do to prevent them. As far as sex goes, pay attention to whether or not certain positions make you queef more. But if you’re comfortable with your partner or partners, you’ll likely be able to laugh it off.

As mentioned above, if you’ve suffered a prolapse and it’s possibly causing you to queef, your doctor may recommend using a pessary.

Research and Statistics: Who Gets Vaginal Flatulence?

Any woman can experience vaginal flatulence. There is some research, however, that suggests certain women may be more prone to it. For instance, a meta-analysis of 15 studies on vaginal flatulence found that women who had delivered babies vaginally often reported occurrences of vaginal flatulence after the fact, but this certainly is not the only factor that can lead to vaginal flatulence.

Plenty of women who have never been pregnant experience vaginal flatulence, too. One study of nearly 1,000 women ages 18 to 80 found that women with low BMI and who are younger have more instances of vaginal flatulence.

Another study found that more than a third of women with pelvic floor disorders reported vaginal flatus (the involuntary passing of gas from the vagina).

Complications of Vaginal Flatulence

Vaginal flatulence itself doesn’t cause complications (aside from some possible embarrassment).

Related Conditions of Vaginal Flatulence

When you release gas through your digestive system — also known as farting — it sounds a lot like a queef. But the causes of intestinal gas and vaginal flatulence are different. Swallowing excessive air can cause farting; bacteria in the intestine produce gas when processing foods that pass into the colon before being digested higher up in the digestive tract; and rectal gas can be a side effect of some medications.

Resources We Love

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood offers a wealth of reliable information about women’s health — from sexual and reproductive issues and concerns to questions about queefing.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 

For trusted, evidence-based information from expert physicians, visit ACOG’s website, where you’ll find this FAQ on women’s sexual health, as well as sections geared toward teens, pregnancy, and healthy aging.

Additional reporting by Kaitlin Sullivan.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

• Amarenco G, Turmel N, Chesnel C, et al. Vaginal Gas: Review. Progés en Urologie. December 2019.
• How Can I Prevent Queefing During Sex? It’s So Embarrassing! Planned Parenthood. April 24, 2020.
• Veisi F, Rezavand N, Zangeneh M, et al. Vaginal Flatus and the Associated Risk Factors in Iranian Women: A Main Research Article. ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology. May 20, 2012.
• Neels H, Pacquée S, Shek K, et al. Is Vaginal Flatus Related to Pelvic Floor Functional Anatomy? International Urogynecology Journal. December 2020.
• Pelvic Support Problems. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. November 2021.
• Posterior Vaginal Prolapse (Rectocele): Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. August 10, 2022.
• Posterior Vaginal Prolapse (Rectocele): Diagnosis and Treatment. Mayo Clinic. August 10, 2022.
• Knuttinen M, Yi J, Magtibay J, et al. Colorectal-Vaginal Fistulas: Imaging and Novel Interventional Treatment Modalities. Journal of Clinical Medicine. April 22, 2018.
• Kegel Exercises: A How-To Guide for Women. Mayo Clinic. December 6, 2022.
• Rectovaginal Fistula. Mayo Clinic. January 13, 2023.
• Toxic Shock Syndrome: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. March 23, 2022.
• Lau H, Su T, Chen Y, Huang W. The Prevalence of Vaginal Flatus in Women With Pelvic Floor Disorders and Its Impact on Sexual Function. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. March 2021.
• Gas (Flatulence). Harvard Health Publishing. July 1, 2019.

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Vaginal Gas: Causes, Prevention, and More

What is vaginal gas?

Vaginal gas, or “queefing,” is when air gets trapped inside the vagina. Once air is trapped, it will eventually be released from the vagina and can cause a sound similar to common flatulence from the rectum. It is typically a normal occurrence, and it is rarely a sign of a serious health concern. However, it can either be a passing occurrence, or it may be a symptom of a medical condition that will need to be treated. Let’s look at the causes and when you need to seek medical attention.

There are a number of different things that can cause vaginal gas. It is important to know the different causes, as some need to be addressed by a medical professional. Some of these causes include:

Sexual activity

Sexual activity is a common cause of vaginal gas. The movement of the penis in and out of the vagina can sometimes cause air to enter and then become trapped. When your muscles tense from an orgasm or when the penis is removed, the gas will then be released. This can cause a noise and feel like bubbles.

Oral sex can cause air to enter the vagina as well. Some forms of rough sex can cause vaginal gas, but they may also cause a spontaneous pneumoperitoneum, which is when air accumulates and gets trapped under your diaphragm. This can cause chest or upper abdominal pain.

Pelvic floor dysfunction

While vaginal noise is not one of the main symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, studies have shown that vaginal noise, similar to common flatus, can be a result of it.

Vaginal fistula

A vaginal fistula is an abnormal, hollow tract between your vagina and another internal abdominal or pelvic organ. They are a potential cause for vaginal gas that is not directly related to sexual activity. There are different types of vaginal fistulas. These types are based on where the hole or tear is in the vagina and which organ the tract connects to. Fistulas need to be addressed by a medical professional and treated.

The type of vaginal fistula seen most often is known as a vesicovaginal fistula. The hole for this type is between your urinary bladder and your vagina. The following is a list of the other types of fistulas and where the tear occurs in the vagina:

• Ureterovaginal fistula occurs between the vagina and ureter(s), which move urine to your bladder from your kidneys.
• Rectovaginal fistula occurs between the vagina and the rectum (near the end of the colon). This may happen during childbirth, but primarily occurs in developing countries without easy or any access to obstetric care. It can also be caused by pelvic surgery, pelvic cancer, radiation treatments around the pelvis to treat pelvic cancer, or from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (both are types of inflammatory bowel disease). This type of fistula can often cause vaginal gas, particularly when it occurs after childbirth.
• Enterovaginal fistula occurs between the small intestine and the vagina.
• Colovaginal fistula occurs between the colon and the vagina. This is a rare type of fistula and is most often caused by diverticular disease.
• Urethrovaginal fistula occurs between the vagina and the urethra, which is the tube that sends urine out of your body.

Vaginal gas is one symptom of a vaginal fistula. Other symptoms depend on the size and type of fistula that you have, but here are some symptoms to look for:

• loose stool leaking into your urine
• urine or vaginal discharge that has a strong unpleasant odor
• vaginitis or urinary tract infections that occur frequently
• incontinence, both fecal and urinary
• diarrhea
• discomfort or pain in and around the vagina and rectum
• painful sex
• nausea
• abdominal pain

There are not many things you can do to prevent vaginal gas. It is usually a symptom of other conditions or a natural occurrence during sexual activity. However, there are treatments and surgical procedures that can correct the cause. Even in vaginal gas that occurs due to sexual activity, there may be nonsurgical treatment options that might help stop it from happening.

Vaginal gas created during sexual activity is nothing to be concerned about. It’s not a symptom of a medical condition. However, if you’re experiencing vaginal gas at times that are not directly related to sexual activity you should see your doctor. Your doctor can determine if you have a vaginal fistula or whether another medical issue is causing it. Fistulas usually require surgery to repair. If they are not treated or repaired, they may lead to more serious complications if left untreated.

In most cases, vaginal gas can be eliminated when the underlying cause is treated. If a fistula is caught early enough or the hole or tear is very small, it may not require surgery to repair it. However, no matter the cause, it is important that you talk to your doctor if you’re having vaginal gas. This will allow your doctor to discover if it’s a symptom of a fistula or other medical condition that can be treated.

Furuncle (boil) – symptoms, causes, signs and methods of treatment in adults in “SM-Clinic”

This disease is treated by a Dermatologist
, Surgeon

• About the disease
• Types of boils
• Symptoms of a boil
• Causes of boil development
• Diagnostics
• Expert opinion
• Treatment of furunculosis
• Prevention
• Rehabilitation
• Questions and answers
• Doctors

About the disease

A furuncle is also called a boil. It occurs more often in adulthood. Men are affected somewhat more often than women. The main peak of incidence falls on the autumn and spring periods, when the body’s defenses weaken.

Unlike ostiofolliculitis and folliculitis, the formation of a furuncle is accompanied by the involvement of the surrounding tissue in the inflammatory process. This is due to the severe course of the disease.

On places devoid of hair (palms and palmar surface of the fingers, soles) boils do not develop. Most often they occur on areas of the skin that are subject to contamination (forearms, back of the hand) and friction (back of the neck, lower back, gluteal region, thighs).

Types of boils

Depending on the number of formations, single and multiple boils are distinguished. In the latter case, the disease is called furunculosis.

In the process of development, pathology passes through three successive stages:

• infiltrative: accompanied by tissue infiltration;
• purulent-necrotic: characterized by purulent fusion of the central part of the boil and the formation of a purulent-necrotic rod;
• healing stage: begins from the moment of spontaneous or artificial opening of the abscess and lasts until the formation of a scar.

Symptoms of a boil

At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the patient feels slight itching and tingling. On the 1st-2nd day, a formation appears that protrudes conically above the skin. The tissues turn red and become painful when touched. As the boil matures, a head appears on its top – a small accumulation of pus with a black dot in the center.

On the 3-7th day in the form of a rod, together with the remnants of the hair, they are excreted with pus. The resulting wound is cleaned, filled with granulation tissue and healed. The swelling around it gradually decreases, the pain disappears. A small, whitish, somewhat retracted scar remains at the site of inflammation.

Multiple lesions of boils that appear simultaneously or sequentially one after another in different parts of the body – called furunculosis. A disease that lasts with small remissions for several years is considered chronic, relapsing.

Furuncle usually does not cause significant disturbances in well-being. With the defeat of a significant amount of tissue, symptoms of intoxication appear: weakness, headaches, fever. The intensity of pain depends on the location of the formation. In the face area (lips, forehead), as well as on the scrotum, the formation of a boil is accompanied by swelling of the surrounding tissues, which is explained by the looseness of the subcutaneous tissue.

Causes of the development of a boil

The main cause of the development of a furuncle is the defeat of the hair follicle or its surrounding tissues by Staphylococcus aureus, rarely white. An important factor is also a decrease in general or local immunity against the background of chronic diseases, metabolic disorders, and infections. Pathology occurs especially often in patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity, chronic liver and kidney damage, oncological diseases, etc. Infection of tissues often occurs against the background of skin damage: scratches, cuts, abrasions, constant exposure to sweat or purulent discharge (from the nose, ears).

The causes of localized furunculosis are most often incorrect methods of therapy and ignoring the doctor’s recommendations (use of compresses, undertreatment of residual compaction, washing the place where the elements appear).

Get advice

If you experience these symptoms, we recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor. Timely consultation will prevent negative consequences for your health.

You can find out more about the disease, prices for treatment and sign up for a consultation with a specialist by phone:

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis of boils is not difficult. During a visual examination of the patient, a dermatologist discovers a characteristic formation. Its appearance allows you to assess the stage of development of the disease. During the conversation, the doctor determines the possible cause of the development of boils, identifies risk factors. For an accurate diagnosis and determination of the pathogen, bakposev of the discharge is prescribed. In case of multiple lesions, additional diagnostics is carried out:

• general and biochemical blood test;
• immunogram;
• assessment of hormone levels;
• examination by ENT, endocrinologist and other specialists;
• examination of internal organs, paranasal sinuses, lungs, etc. depending on the specific clinical situation.

Expert opinion

Furuncle is a rather serious disease, which should be treated with great care. In no case should you self-medicate: you should not make compresses, use various ointments – in most cases this leads to the spread of the inflammatory process.

A complication of a boil can be lymphadenitis and lymphangitis (damage to the lymphatic vessels and nodes). Of particular danger are rapidly progressing acute thrombophlebitis and sepsis.

Acute thrombophlebitis usually develops with boils located near the large saphenous veins, and sepsis – with boils of the face. They are often the result of attempts to squeeze out the contents of the boil, cutting it off during shaving, trauma during massage. The prognosis for these complications is very serious.

Omarova Andzhelika Mutaevna

Coloproctologist, surgeon, Ph.D.

Treatment of furunculosis

Treatment of furuncle is only surgical, because no other therapy will be successful if the focus of purulent inflammation is not removed or opened and drained in a timely manner.

The opening of the boil is usually performed under local anesthesia and is painless for the patient. At the same time, antibiotic therapy, means for correcting immunity and eliminating background pathologies, if any, are prescribed.

Simple (uncomplicated) lesions can be treated on an outpatient basis and do not require hospitalization. But in case of a severe course, if the patient develops swelling of the soft tissues of the cheek, lip or eye, urgent hospitalization is necessary in the surgical department to constantly monitor the development of the process and prevent complications.

Strict bed rest and appropriate therapy are prescribed for high fever.

Prevention

To minimize the risk of developing boils, it is necessary to regularly cleanse the skin of impurities and fully treat any tissue damage. People with hyperhidrosis and/or excess sebum need to pay special attention to hygiene. General measures are also important: proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, timely treatment of acute and chronic diseases.

Rehabilitation

After opening an uncomplicated boil, the patient goes home after 1-2. In the next 2 weeks, he needs to regularly visit a doctor for dressings, take prescribed medications. It is strictly forbidden to play sports, swim in open water or pools, overheat.

Questions and Answers

No. Self-medication and the use of folk remedies can cause complications.

Yes, when a purulent focus is located on the face, the infection can go to the meninges.

Gostishchev Victor Kuzmich. Clinical operative purulent surgery. Guide for doctors. GEOTAR-Media, 2016

Rodionov Anatoly Nikolaevich, Sydikov Akmal Abdikaharovich, Zaslavsky Denis Vladimirovich. Clinical dermatology. Illustrated guide for doctors. GEOTAR-Media, 2022

Nikolsky V. Yu., Imbryakov K. V. Furuncles and carbuncles of the face // Russian Dental Journal. 2013. No. 5.

Okulich V.K., Fedyanin S.D. RATIONAL USE OF ANTIBACTERIAL DRUGS IN PATIENTS WITH PURULENT WOUNDS, FURUNCULOSIS, FURUNCULES AND CARBUNCULES // Bulletin of the Voronezh State Medical University. 2003. No. 4.

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Diseases referred by the Surgeon

Soft tissue abscess
liver abscess
Appendicitis
Ascites
Atheroma
femoral hernia
Crohn’s disease
Gangrene
soft tissue hematoma
Giant cell tumor of bone
Hygroma
festering wounds
Hernia
Hernia of the white line of the abdomen
hiatal hernia
Diastasis rectus abdominis
Intestinal diverticulosis
Cholelithiasis
Keratoma
liver cyst
pancreatic cyst
salivary gland cyst
Neck cyst
stab wound
stab wound
Lipoma
Mechanical jaundice
Bowel obstruction
burns
Oleogranuloma
kidney tumor
Acute pancreatitis
Felon
Pancreatic necrosis
Inguinal hernia
Peritonitis
Barrett’s esophagus
Postoperative hernia
Umbilical hernia
Cancer of the extrahepatic bile ducts
Stomach cancer
gallbladder cancer
bowel cancer
adrenal cancer
Parathyroid Cancer
Liver cancer
Esophageal carcinoma
colon cancer
thyroid cancer
Fistula of the gallbladder
Seroma
Thyroiditis
Intestinal injury
vein thrombosis
Thrombophlebitis
Furunculosis
cholestasis
Cholecystitis
Chronic cholecystitis
Esophageal ulcer
Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum

Diseases referred to Dermatologist

Acne (pimples)
Allergic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis
warts
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Ingrown toenail (onychocryptosis)
Herpes (herpes virus 1, 2 types)
Hyperhidrosis (sweating)
Foot hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Hyperkeratosis
Hyperkeratosis of the nails
Nail fungus (onychomycosis)
foot fungus
demodicosis
Dermatitis
Nail deformation
diabetic foot
Ichthyosis
Keratoma
warts
molluscum contagiosum
contact dermatitis
Hives
Couperose
Lichen
calluses
corns
Nevuses (moles)
Neurodermatitis
Onychodystrophy
Onycholysis
Rash under the breast
Pityriasis versicolor
Papillomas
Inguinal epidermophytosis
Pediculosis
Skin pigmentation
plantar warts
Loss of skin tone and elasticity
Prickly heat
Psoriasis
Pemphigus
Rosacea
Seborrheic dermatitis
seborrhea
Cracked feet
Acne
Folliculitis
Furunculosis
Scabies
Eczema

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Top 10 causes of death in the world

Top 10 causes of death in the world

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• Top 10 causes of death in the world

In 2019, the top 10 causes of death accounted for 55% of the world’s 55. 4 million deaths.

The main causes of death in the world are associated with three large groups of diseases: cardiovascular (ischemic heart disease, stroke), respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory tract infections) and neonatal pathological
conditions (asphyxia of newborns and birth trauma, sepsis and other infectious diseases of newborns, as well as complications of preterm birth) (in descending order of the total number of deaths).

Causes of death can be classified into three categories: transmissible (infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as pathological conditions during pregnancy, childbirth and feeding), non-communicable diseases (chronic) and injuries.

Leading causes of death worldwide

Globally, in 2019, noncommunicable diseases accounted for seven of the ten leading causes of death. These seven causes accounted for 44% of the total number of deaths and 80% of the deaths caused by the top ten causes of death.
At the same time, all non-communicable diseases combined accounted for 74% of deaths recorded in the world in 2019

The most common cause of death is coronary heart disease, accounting for 16% of total deaths worldwide. The greatest increase in mortality since 2000 was due to this disease: by 2019, mortality from it increased by more than 2 million cases and reached 8.9 million cases. Stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are the second and third leading causes of death, accounting for approximately 11% and 6% of total deaths, respectively.

Lower respiratory tract infections remain the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and the first among infectious diseases. However, the death rate from such infections has declined significantly: in 2019 it was 2.6 million cases, which is 460 thousand less than in 2000.

Neonatal pathological conditions rank fifth. At the same time, global mortality from these conditions over the past two decades has shown one of the most pronounced declines in absolute terms: in 2019They killed 2 million newborns and young children, 1. 2 million fewer than in 2000.

Mortality from non-communicable diseases is on the rise. Cancer of the trachea, bronchi and lungs showed an increase in mortality from 1.2 million to 1.8 million cases and ranked sixth among the leading causes of death.

Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia were the seventh leading cause of death in 2019. Women are especially susceptible to these diseases. They account for 65% of deaths from Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia in the world.

Globally, deaths from intestinal infections have dropped significantly, from 2.6 million in 2000 to 1.5 million in 2019.

Diabetes has become one of the top ten causes of death, with a significant increase in mortality since 2000 – by 70%. Among men, the increase was even greater, by 80%, the largest increase in deaths for men since 2000 among the top ten causes of death.

Other diseases, which were among the top ten causes of death in 2000, have been removed from this list. One of them was HIV/AIDS. Over the past 20 years, mortality from this disease has fallen by 51%, as a result of which, from eighth place, which it occupied in 2000, in 2019g. it moved to the nineteenth.

Kidney diseases have risen from thirteenth to tenth place. Mortality from these diseases increased from 813,000 in 2000 to 1.3 million in 2019. Gross national income is divided into four groups: low, lower middle, upper middle and high income.

In low-income countries, communicable diseases significantly outnumber non-communicable diseases as causes of death. Despite a global decline in deaths from infectious diseases, they account for six out of 10 deaths in low-income countries.

Malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS remain among the top ten causes of death in these countries. At the same time, mortality from these three diseases shows a significant decrease. HIV/AIDS showed the largest decline in mortality among the top ten causes in these countries: from 395,000 cases in 2000 to 161,000 in 2019, i. e. by 59%.

Intestinal infections are a larger cause of death in low-income countries and are among the top five causes. However, these infections show the second largest decrease in mortality among the top ten causes in these countries, by 231,000 cases.

Mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in low-income countries is negligible compared to countries in other groups. In low-income countries, the disease is not among the top ten causes of death, while it is in the top five in all other country groups.

Lower middle-income countries show the most heterogeneous set of top ten causes of death: five non-communicable diseases, four communicable diseases and injuries. In this group of countries, the importance of diabetes is growing: it has moved from 15th place to ninth, the number of deaths from this disease has almost doubled since 2000.

In this group of countries, enteric infections continue to be a major problem among the top ten causes of death. However, this category of diseases is characterized by the most significant decrease in the absolute number of deaths, which from 2000 to 2019decreased from 1.9 million to 1.1 million cases. The largest increase in the absolute number of deaths is associated with ischemic heart disease: since 2000, it has increased by more than a million, reaching 3.1 million cases. Of the top ten causes of death in the previous list in 2000, HIV/AIDS has seen the largest decline in mortality, moving from 8th to 15th place.

Upper middle-income countries saw a marked increase in lung cancer deaths, up by 411,000; this is more than double the increase in mortality in all three other country groups combined. In addition, upper-middle-income countries have a high mortality rate from gastric cancer compared to other groups of countries; this is the only group of countries where the disease continues to be among the top ten causes of death.

One of the most notable reductions in the absolute number of deaths is from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with a decrease of nearly 264,000 deaths to 1. 3 million. At the same time, deaths from coronary heart disease increased by more than 1.2 million cases, which is the largest increase in the absolute number of deaths from this cause among all groups of countries.

Only one infectious disease (lower respiratory tract infection) is among the top ten causes of death in upper middle-income countries. It is noteworthy that since 2000, suicide deaths in this category of countries have decreased by 31%, to 234,000 cases in 2019.d.

In high-income countries, deaths from all but two of the 10 major diseases are rising. Ischemic heart disease and stroke are the only causes of death among the top ten for which the total number of deaths in 2000-2019 decreased by 16% (or 327,000 cases) and 21% (or 205,000 cases) respectively. The only group of countries that has seen a decline in deaths from these two diseases is the group of high-income countries. However, coronary heart disease and stroke remain among the top three causes of death in countries in this group: in 2019they caused the death of a total of more than 2. 5 million people. In addition, mortality from hypertensive heart disease is on the rise. Following a global trend, this disease has risen from 18th to 9th place in the list of leading causes of death.

Deaths from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia have risen to overtake stroke to become the second leading cause of death in high-income countries, killing 814,000 people in 2019. And, as in upper-middle-income countries, only one category of infectious diseases, lower respiratory tract infections, was among the top ten causes of death.

Why do we need to know the causes of death?

Knowing why people die is necessary in order to improve the lives of the population. Determining how many people die each year helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our health systems and direct resources where they are needed most. For example, mortality data can help focus efforts and resources in sectors such as transport, agri-food, environment and health.

Under conditions of COVID-19 infectionthe urgent need for countries to invest in strengthening civil registration and vital registration systems to ensure that deaths are recorded daily, as well as direct prevention and treatment measures, has become clear. This environment has also exposed the fragmented data collection systems that characterize most low-income countries, where policymakers still lack accurate information about how many people die and for what reasons.

To address this critical gap, WHO, in collaboration with global partners, launched the COVID-19 Loss Identification: Technical Mortality Recording and Epidemic Response Package. With the help of the project’s tools and guidance on live mortality reporting, countries are able to collect data on total deaths by day, week, gender, age and location, which will allow health officials to initiate health improvement actions more timely.

In addition, the World Health Organization is developing standards and best practices for data collection, processing and aggregation based on the consolidated and improved International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), a digital platform that facilitates timely and accurate cause-of-death data that provides countries with the ability to regularly generate and use health information that meets international standards.