Flatulence
What is Flatulence?
Almost always a case of annoyance and social embarrassment, flatulence refers to expelling excess amount of gas produced as a byproduct in the digestive process, through the rectum. Also known as “passing gas”, the flatus (mixture of gases) follows the same path as the feces take to come out of the large intestine. The noises are usually produced by the anal sphincter and sometimes by close buttocks.
Although, in normal frequency, it is a sign of proper digestive system, in excess, it can indicate the presence of other diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Flatulence has its physiological and humorous contexts in various cultures. In some people will go to any extent to stop flatulence, while in others, it might not be more significant than coughing.
Most of the gases that are dispelled are odorless, but some of the constituent gases such as indole and skatole and sulfur compounds give flatulence its characteristic odor.
Symptoms of Flatulence
The major symptoms associated with flatulence are increased production of gas, abdominal bloating and pain and belching.
Gas: Gases are a normal product of the digestive process. Every person would pass gas every day but excessive flatulence may be symptom of other underlying diseases. A normal individual may pass gas up to 10 times, the minimum, every day. It may go up to 20-25 times but more than that could be considered excessive.
Abdominal bloating: Many people with gas often complain of abdominal bloating. Strikingly, it has been found that many people who complain abdominal bloating have normal amount of gas. It is their excessive sensibility that makes them feel as if they are bloating. Excessive intake of fat and other underlying conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and colon cancer may also be responsible for bloating.
Abdominal pain: Most people with excessive production of gas complain of abdominal pain. The pain may be confusingly resembles with heart diseases, appendicitis and gallstones.
Belching: Belching is a normal activity, a part of the digestive process. Some people, however, develop the habit of induced belching in search of comfort which may lead to other severe conditions. Belching may also be a sign of peptic ulcer disease, gastroparesis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Diagnosis of Flatulence
There are various exams and tests to confirm various reasons of flatulence and the diseases associated with it. The physician may make a list of foods consumed and the effects produced due to it. A careful review of the foods and production of flatulence may reveal the foods that contribute to the production of flatulence.
Among the primary tests, a test for the presence of hydrogen in the breath is the most common. Usually, bacteria are responsible for the production of hydrogen and a breath test is able to measure and provide information about specific food intolerance.
The analysis of flatus for the gas contents may reveal the differences of flatulence produced due to swallowing air to those produced in the gastrointestinal tract.
If the patient is suffering from abdominal pain, the doctors may advise to perform a X ray test. The X-ray test is useful in determining intestinal obstruction and perforation. A colonoscopy may also be performed to detect abnormalities in the colon.
For suspected lactose intolerance, the doctor may advise to perform a breath or blood test. The doctor might also advise to stop taking lactose content and review the results after following such a condition.
Causes of Flatulence
There may be various reasons for flatulence. Usually, excessive production of gas in the digestive tract occurs due to increased intake of gas (air that is swallowed in) and the excess gas produced by breaking down of undigested food by bacteria.
Excessive swallowing of air can take place through various activities. Activities such as sucking on hard candy, loose dentures, drinking carbonated beverages and hyperventilation in anxious people may lead to increased air intake. Moreover rapid drinking, chewing gum, use of tobacco products is also responsible for air intake. An analysis can reveal whether the reason for flatulence is intake of excessive air or gastrointestinal production.
In the process of digestion of foods, the whole amount of food is not broken down in the small intestine. Some of the unbroken molecules of food pass on to the large intestine where useful bacteria break them down. In this process gas may evolve which is dispelled through the rectum. Carbohydrate rich food is the most effective in producing gas. Fats and proteins hardly produce any gas in the digestive process.
The vegetables which may produce excessive gas include beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli and asparagus, due to the presence of raffinose, a type of sugar. Starch also produces gas when it is broken down in the large intestine. The common foods that contain starch include corn, noodles, potatoes and wheat. Onions may also produce gas for the presence of fructose. Dark beer and wine may also produce gas. A common sweetener, sorbitol, may also produce gas. It is present in many foods, such as apples, peaches, pears, and prunes.
Insoluble fiber found in oat bran, beans, peas, and most fruits may remain undigested till it reached the large intestine and may produce gas.
Undigested lactose, mainly found in milk and milk derivatives may also produce large amounts of gas. However, lactase deficiency may also arise due to diarrhea and cramping. It is desirable to check with the doctor for exact reasons.
Malabsorption and certain other condition may also lead to the production of excessive amounts of gas. Malabsorption usually occurs due to production of lesser enzymes or due to problems in the gall bladder lining and lining of the intestines.
Alterations in the bowel habits due to poor dietary fiber, inflammatory bowel disease, and intestinal obstruction (including chronic diseases such as cancer) and parasites may also lead to production of excessive gas.
Types of Flatulence
Flatulence is not divided into further categories.
Treatment of Flatulence
The treatment for controlling and minimizing flatulence may be divided into two categories. While the self care options are more popular than other treatments, medical help and medication may be required in severe cases.
The self care treatments require keeping notes of the food taken and their results. The suspected foods may be removed from the diet one at a time, until one gets relief. The first groups of foods should include fructose and sorbitol as these are the common offenders.
For lactose intolerance, avoiding milk and milk based foods is the best option. Apart from that, one can also try to take lactase enzyme, available in the market, before or with the milk based foods.
To solve the problem of flatulence medically, sometimes non- offensive strains of bacteria are fed to drive out the bacteria responsible for flatulence. Regulating the bowel movements and treating constipation may also help diminishing problems of gas.
Medications for flatulence include beano, an enzyme that helps digest sugars in bean and other vegetables. Antacids, such as Mylanta II, Maalox II, and Di-Gel are also helpful in providing relief as they break down the sugar molecules which produce gas. Activated charcoal tablets and medications for other diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (Clopra) may also be helpful in providing fast relief.
Living with Flatulence
The major points to remember to avoid discomfort and embarrassment produced due to gas include avoiding swallowing air, foods that are responsible for producing gas and checking out with doctors if the symptoms are severe. Regular exercise may be helpful as it helps keep the digestive system intact and working. The medicines that have been advised by doctors should be taken regularly to fight against flatulence.
Prevention of Flatulence
There is no specific way to prevent flatulence as it is a natural process associated with the digestive system. However, if the problem areas are identified, one can take necessary steps to prevent excessive production of gas. Moreover, a holistic approach towards the problem, including dietary changes, exercise and medications may help in preventing excess amounts of flatulence.
