Flatulence

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Flatulence
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Flatulence

• Flatulence is the release of a mixture of gases
  (flatus) from the rectum under pressure. Flatus
  consists of methane, nitrogen, hydrogen and
  carbon dioxide gases and is often accompanied by
  a sound and smell. The amount of the constituent
  gases varies depending on your diet which
  subsequently alters the odour of the
  flatus.However, the normal amount of flatus
  varies largely between people so it is more
  important to take note of changes in the amount
  and other associated symptoms such as belching
  and abdominal bloating.You may therefore notice
  some of the following symptoms that will confirm
  that you have flatulence
• Passing wind often
• Smelly flatus
• Loud flatus
• Abdominal distension and discomfort
• Rumblings in the lower abdomen.

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Causes of Flatulence

• Production of intestinal gas is a normal part of
  the digestive process caused by reactions of
  enzymes and the breakdown of food by bacteria.
  Generally, most of this gas produced will be
  reabsorbed and will enter the bloodstream.Howeve
  r, if a large amount is produced it will remain
  in the intestines and travel along to be later
  expelled. The following are the conditions which
  can lead to an increase in gas expulsion
• Air swallowing- A small amount of air is normally
  swallowed when you eat or drink. If you eat
  quickly, gulp foods, drink through straws or chew
  gum you may swallow increases amounts of gas. In
  addition, anxiety can cause excessive air
  swallowing.
• High-fibre diets- Fibre is very difficult to
  breakdown in the intestine. This leads to
  bacteria in the colon working overtime to further
  digest food.

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Causes of Flatulence
Continue

• These bacteria are one of the key sources of gas
  leading to flatulence. Common high fibre foods
  such as bread are imaged below.
• Irritable bowel syndrome - Patients with this
  disorder has alternating episodes of constipation
  and diarrhea which are often accompanied by
  flatulence and bloating.
• Lactose intolerance - Unable to absorb the sugars
  which are present in milk that leads to gas
  production as these have to be broken down by
  bacteria via the process of fermentation. Dairy
  foods such as milk, cheese and cream (displayed
  below) can exacerbate symptoms as they contain a
  high concentration of lactose.

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Treatment of Flatulence

• Management of extra gas can be quite difficult
  and does not always work in all patients. You can
  help in lowering down this symptom by adopting
  the following lifestyle measures
• Eat more slowly
• Chew your food thoroughly
• Relax whilst you eat
• Avoid carbonated drinks and chewing gum
• Limit foods i.e. linked with high amounts of
  flatus like legumes, beans, lentils, raisins,
  foods high in insoluble fibre, artificial
  sweeteners and vegetables of the cabbage family
• Quit smoking

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Treatment of Flatulence
Continue

• Reduce milk consumption if lactose intolerance
  has been identified as the problem
• Add probiotics (such as yoghurt) to your diet to
  replenish the normal good bacteria in the bowel
• Relaxation techniques have been shown to be
  helpful. Unfortunately the medical treatments
  that is currently available like simethicone,
  antacids, activated charcoal and beano have
  failed to give better results.

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