Causes of flatulence and methods of prevention and treatment
Flatulence usually results from the accumulation of gases in the digestive tract. Which may arise from normal digestive processes or as a result of external factors such as swallowing air while eating or drinking, which leads to a feeling of distress and discomfort. This may be due to eating certain types of foods, or it may be a sign of a serious medical condition. So it is necessary to know Causes of flatulence and methods of prevention and treatment.
Causes of flatulence
Stomach gases are the result of food digestion, which indicates that the digestive system is working well. Flatulence is common among all, as most people experience flatulence about 10 times a day, but if you suffer from flatulence more than that, you may have excessive flatulence, and among the causes of flatulence:
1. Swallowing air
Air is usually swallowed while eating and drinking, but if you swallow more air frequently, this may make you suffer from belching and excessive flatulence. Among the reasons that may lead to swallowing more air than usual are the following:
- Drink soft drinks
- chewing gum
- smoking
- The speed of eating
- Talking while eating
2. Foods that cause bloating
One of the causes of flatulence is eating foods, which can increase bloating and gas:
- Dairy products, and yeast in baked goods such as bread.
- Grains such as wheat and oats.
- Legumes such as lentils, beans, and beans.
- Vegetables such as cauliflower, onions, garlic, artichokes, and broccoli.
- Raisins, cashews.
- Foods high in fructose or artificial sweeteners (sorbitol), such as fruit juices.
These types of foods take longer to digest, which leads to an unpleasant odor associated with bloating. There are also some foods that the body cannot fully absorb, which makes them move from the intestine to the colon without the complete digestion process. The coli bacteria break down the food, causing a lot of gas to be released, which in turn causes flatulence.
3. Antibiotics:
Where antibiotics can affect beneficial bacteria in the intestine, causing flatulence.
Causes of excessive flatulence
If flatulence is not due to eating large amounts of sugars or carbohydrates or as a result of excessive swallowing of air, it may be due to other causes associated with some chronic conditions such as:
1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome may cause abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea or constipation, difficulty sleeping, pelvic and muscle pain, and other symptoms.
2. Gallbladder problems
One of the reasons for flatulence is also that patients with cholecystitis may suffer from abdominal pain, which may be associated with eating foods rich in fat. Which makes the symptoms of inflammation of the gallbladder or gallstones in the occurrence of flatulence in the abdomen.
3. dumping syndrome
Also known as rapid gastric emptying, this condition may appear after surgery to remove part of the stomach or part of the stomach, or to remove the esophagus. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
4. Gastroenteritis
These viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections can cause gas buildup and abdominal cramps, such as E. coli, amebiasis, and giardiasis.
Other causes of excessive flatulence
- Colon Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
- diabetic
- Eating disorders
- ulcerative colitis
- peptic ulcers
Flatulence treatment
If the causes of flatulence are due to eating habits or swallowing air, the bloating can be treated by following some simple tips as follows:
1. Foods that are easy to digest
Eat foods that contain amounts of carbohydrates that can be easily digested, such as:
- Citrus fruits
- the banana
- grapes
- Lettuce
- the rice
2. Changing the eating pattern
By eating small amounts, and eating slowly in order to chew food well before swallowing, you should also avoid consuming soft drinks and chewing gum, which can cause more air to be swallowed.
3. Stop smoking
Smoking helps to swallow more air, which leads to irritation of the digestive system, and thus the feeling of bloating.
4. Exercise
Which can help in digestion, which reduces the occurrence of gases and bloating.
When should you visit the doctor?
It is recommended to consult a doctor in the following cases:
- Frequent flatulence
- The presence of a large amount of continuous gases, and the inability to control them, which makes them release involuntarily
- Constant foul odor
- The occurrence of sharp pains and cramps in the abdomen, and the change of places of pain.
- Feeling of an enlarged abdomen
- vomiting
- Weight loss
- blood in the stool
- heartburn
And if you need medical advice: You can now speak with a certified physician.