passing of gas from the digestive system out of the back
passage.
Flatus is the medical word for gas generated in the
intestinal tract. Medical literature describes flatulence as
"flatus expelled through the anus" .
Flatulence is commonly a source of laughter or
embarrassment. Excessive flatulence can cause enormous
discomfort and distress, mainly when there are other
people around. A bout of flatulence can strike at the most
undesirable moments - during a meeting, or even worse in a
crowded elevator. In the majority of cases, it is not a
serious condition.
Doctors say that in the majority of cases, excessive gas
can be controlled with a change of diet and lifestyle.
Passing wind is a normal biological process, like sweating,
burping or breathing. Everybody farts, even those who
seem not to.
The average human passes wind approximately 15 times a
day. (NHS, UK)
Why do humans fart?
When we eat, drink or swallow saliva, we also swallow tiny
amounts of air. This swallowed air accumulates in the gut.
The gas within our digestive system consists mainly of
nitrogen and oxygen.
When we digest food, gas, mainly in the form of hydrogen,
methane and carbon dioxide is released.
As the gas builds up, the body may need to get rid of it - this
is done by either burping (belching) or flatulence (farting).
Many times, flatulence occurs and the person is unaware of
it - there is no smell, and the amount is tiny. When there is
a smell, there are usually small amounts of sulfur gases. If
food has not been digested properly, it starts to decompose
(rot), releasing sulfur.
Flatulence signs and symptoms
In the majority of cases, flatulence is nothing to worry
about; it is a normal human condition which can be treated
with self-care techniques.
Flatulence is not usually a reason to go and see your
doctor, unless the symptoms are severe, it occurs too
frequently and with a foul smell, or there are some
additional symptoms which could indicate the presence of
an underlying digestive condition.
A bloated feeling or pains in the abdomen can
commonly accompany flatulence.
Below are some signs and symptoms of flatulence when
they are seen as troublesome:
Episodes of flatulence occur frequently, often
involuntarily
When an episode of flatulence occurs, a lot of wind is
released
Farting is consistently foul-smelling
There may be sharp, jabbing pains (cramps) in the
abdomen. Sometimes they may change location,
within the abdomen
A bloated feeling in the abdomen
A knotted sensation in the abdomen.
What causes flatulence ?
Flatulence can have several natural causes, and may also
be the consequence of a condition that affects the digestive
system.
Intestinal gas consists of:
Exogenous sources - air that comes in from outside.
We swallow it when we eat, drink or swallow saliva. It
can occur when we experience nausea or acid reflux
and excess saliva is produced.
Endogenous sources - it is produced within the gut.
Gas may be produced as a by-product of digestion of
certain foods, or when foods are not digested
completely. Anything that causes food not to be
digested completely by the stomach and/or small
intestine can cause flatulence when it reaches the
large intestine.
Foods that cause flatulence are generally those high in
certain polysaccharides, particularly oligosaccharides, such
as inulin. Inulin belongs to a class of dietary fibers known
as fructans.
Examples include:
Artichokes
Beans
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cashews
Cauliflower
Dairy products
Garlic
Leeks
Lentils
Oats
Onions
Radishes
Rutabagas
Scallions
Sweet potatoes
Turnips
Wheat
Yeast (in baked products, such as bread).
Baked beans are commonly associated with
episodes of flatulence.
Beans - gas builds up inside the gut. Complex
carbohydrates in beans are very difficult for humans to
digest. They are digested by microorganisms in the gut -
gut flora - methane-producing archaea. When the complex
carbohydrates reach the lower intestine, bacteria feed on
them, during which they produce gas.
Lactose intolerance - when lactose-containing foods, such
as milk are consumed, the bacteria feed on the lactose and
produce excessive amounts of gas.
Celiac disease - intolerance to gluten, a protein found in
barley, wheat and rye. People with this condition who eat
foods containing gluten tend to have flatulence problems.
Artificial sweeteners - sorbitol and mannitol are found in
candies, chewing-gums and sugar-free sweet foods. A
considerable number of people develop either diarrhea , gas
or both when they consume these substances.
Fiber supplements - if you add them too rapidly to your
diet, especially the ones containing psyllium, they can cause
flatulence.
Carbonated drinks - Fizzy drinks and beer may cause a
build-up of gas in the intestinal tract.
Some health conditions - sometimes, a more serious
chronic condition may be the cause of flatulence. Examples
include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis .
Antibiotics - these medications can upset the normal
intestinal flora (bacterial flora) in the bowel, which can lead
to flatulence.
Laxatives - people who take laxatives regularly and in
excess have a high risk of developing flatulence.
Constipation - the feces themselves make it harder to expel
excess gas, resulting in further accumulation and
discomfort.
Gastroenteritis - an infection of the bowel/stomach. In
many cases, there is s a lot of gas build-up.
On the next page we look at diagnosing flatulence and
treatment options, which are centered around changing diet
and natural remedies.
Diagnosing flatulence
The flatulence itself does not require a diagnosis, if the
patient is passing wind a lot, then he/she has flatulence.
The doctor may try to find out what the underlying cause
might be.
The doctor will check the patient's medical history, ask
questions about dietary habits, and carry out a physical
exam. He/she will check to determine whether there is any
distension in the abdomen and listen for a hollow sound by
tapping the abdomen (a hollow sound usually means there
is gas).
The doctor may also ask about the patient's bowel
movements, whether there is any straining when passing a
stool, or whether there is abdominal pain after meals.
These kinds of questions may help the doctor decide
whether the patient might be suffering from IBS ( irritable
bowel syndrome ).
If additional signs and symptoms are detected, the doctor
may refer the patient to a specialist for an endoscopy - for
an internal examination. An endoscope is a long, thin tube
with a camera and light at the end.
Treatment options for flatulence
In most cases, a change in lifestyle and diet is all that is
needed.
Diet and digestion
Avoid eating the foods listed in the "causes of flatulence"
that have high levels of unabsorbable carbohydrates. Ask
your doctor or a qualified dietitian for advice. It is important
that your diet contains your daily nutritional requirements in
calories, vitamins , minerals, etc.
The following carbohydrate foods are easier to digest:
Bananas
Citrus fruits
Grapes
Lettuce
Rice
Yogurt (not if you are lactose intolerant; check with a
nutritionist).
Eat smaller meals - many people find that their symptoms
improve if they eat four to six smaller meals per day, rather
than three large ones. Peppermint tea has been known to
help.
Eat slowly - don't gulp the food down. Digestion starts in
your mouth, chew your food slowly before you swallow it.
Avoid chewing gum - eating chewing gum makes people
swallow more air, something a person with flatulence needs
to avoid.
Dairy products - if you are not sure whether you are lactose
intolerant , try buying low-lactose milk and dairy products. If
your symptoms improve, it is possible you are.
Supplements of lactase, an enzyme which helps digest
lactose may help.
Beans - if the beans are fermented before cooking them, the
amount of soluble fiber goes down, while their nutritional
quality is enhanced.
Exercise - apart from being good for the health, exercise
helps the proper functioning of the digestive system, the
elimination of gas, and bloating.
Smoking - smoking makes people swallow more air; it can
also irritate the digestive system. Giving up smoking may
help some people.
Remedies for flatulence
Charcoal tablets - available OTC (over-the-counter) at
pharmacies. Charcoal absorbs the gas in your gut, thus
reducing the symptoms of flatulence. However, check with
your doctor or a qualified pharmacist if you are on any
prescription medications, because charcoal may also
absorb some of the active ingredient.
Charcoal pads - if placed inside clothing they absorb
released gas, thus helping reduce the impact of foul-
smelling farts.
Probiotics - some people find probiotics help reduce
symptoms.
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