Flatulence

Flatulence General Information

Flatulence, also known as “wind” is a medical condition that indicates the presence of an excessive quantity of gases in the intestines and in the stomach. This mixture of gases called flatus is present in the digestive tract of all mammals and is expelled, through the rectum, in the surrounding environment. The colloquially word used for this process by all the people is farting. The evacuation of gases is rapid and can be the result of a voluntary or involuntary tensing of the anal sphincter. Flatulence is an expulsion that occurs under pressure. The average of this process is of about 15-25 times a day, but these numbers depend totally on the diet a person has. For example, the organism of an individual who has a diet rich in fibers will produce much more gas than an organism of a person who consumes less fibers. Flatus has in its composition olfactory components (indole, skatole or sulfurous substances) and non-odorous gases (nitrogen-varies from 30-90%, hydrogen-varies from 5-50%, methane, carbon dioxide and even oxygen). Flatulence is a medical disorder spread all around the world that is experienced by all individuals in their lives. In many parts of the world, when this condition happens to humans, it is considered to be a really embarrassing problem. Flatus is not only regarded as embarrassing by some individuals, but also repulsive so that this subject has reached the point of being a taboo. People do their best to hold the gases when they are somewhere in public, surrounded by others.

Flatulence Symptoms

Passing gas is not considered a severe condition, being considered normal and common. Flatulence is a medical condition that has no predilection for a specific gender, age group or ethnicity. It can arise from many possible causes, such as swallowing air when smoking, talking while eating or drinking or performing similar actions too fast. Other causes include chewing gum, having a diet that is rich in foods that lead to the production of gas in the intestines (fizzy drinks, beans, pears, apples, bread, cereals, pulses, wheat or bran) or the presence of various diseases (Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease or intolerance to lactose). But the significance that each of these causes has on producing the gas differs from person to person. The main signs and symptoms that a person can complain of while having Flatulence are: smelling flatus, pain in the abdomen and pelvic area, discomfort in these regions, the distension of the abdomen, bloating sensations, rumblings felt in the lower part of the abdomen and excessive passing of winds. The main characteristics of flatus are the noise and the specific odor. Usually, the gases that are released are odorless, but when odor is present is usually caused by the bacteria that live in the large intestine of each person. These bacteria produce hydrogen sulphide and methane while the food ferments. All these are signs and symptoms of an excessive gas passing or how people use to call it, embarrassing Flatulence. Some people may pass wind only two or three times a day, while others can reach even 50 winds.

Flatulence Treatment

Flatulence is an embarrassing medical disorder that can happen to any of us. But if you are really disturbed by this fact or the winds are too excessive we strongly recommend you to talk to your health care provider (to your doctor). Only he or she can give you useful advises in what concerns your lifestyle and medication. If you experience excessive Flatulence then it is sure that you must change something in the way you live; for example, you should consider talking to a nutritionist and eliminate the foods from your daily diet that could cause the flatus. You must consult with your health care provider because he or she has the necessary studies to help alleviate this medical problem and may do you some exams to see if the winds are not the result of some more serious health disorders. It is important that before proceeding with any treatment against passing gases the physician has to rule out other serious problems that may affect your intestines. If along with the excessive flatus you experience other symptoms and signs related to digestive tract disorders, you should consider going to a medical check-up as soon as possible. The fact that you eliminate gases in excess may be the sign that some disorders are affecting your digestive system (like irritable bowel syndrome). Also, if the Flatulence is caused by the intake of laxatives (Sorbitol, Lactulose or different preparations from fibers), then you should not use them regularly without the consent of your health care provider.

The reduction of the intestinal gas can be done by limiting common food culprits, or by reducing the consumption of any products based on milk (especially if you have intolerance to lactose). You should also avoid putting certain spices in your meals, such as coriander, cumin, Kombu kelp, turmeric, caraway, or asafetida. If you know you have a sensitive or lazy stomach or intestine you should try to consume products that reduce the Flatulence and restore the normal balance of the intestinal flora. You should try eating probiotics such as kefir or yogurt. Effective in reducing the releases of gases have proved to be some medicinal tablets and activated charcoal. These can eliminate the odor and can minimize the quantity of flatus. To achieve these effects, health care providers advise that the activated charcoal should be taken in right before any meal. Your doctor may prescribe you other digestive supplements that can reduce the amounts of Flatulence that have been caused by different components of your food that were not chewed correctly. When these components reach the large intestine, they are promoting the microbes and bacteria that live here. Some effective products that we can recommend you are: alpha-galactosidase enzymes (help digesting the sugars that have a complex structure) prescribed as Beano, Pectinase, Amylase, Protease, Invertase, Bromelain, Glucoamylase, Malt diastase, or lactase, prescribed as Lactaid. These are commercial products that are available, on the market, either in combination blends or individually.