Why gas formation occurs. How to get rid of increased gas formation in the intestines

The normal process of digestion occurs with the obligatory formation of gas in the stomach. If it exceeds one liter, then bloating appears. Naturally, gases need to be eliminated, which happens through flatulence, or in common parlance – by farting. The problem of flatulence occurs relatively often in children.

Increased gas formation occurs as a result of many physiological and pathological processes in the abdomen. Physiological gas formation accompanies normal digestion as a result of eating difficult-to-digest foods. Pathological occurs due to:

dysbacteriosis;
stomach ulcers;
gastritis;
esophagitis;
inflammation of the pancreas;
hepatitis A;
helminthic infestation;
constipation;
intestinal tumors;
infectious diseases;
in women with pathologies of the reproductive system;
decreased thyroid function;
enzymatic disorders;
intestinal inflammation;
intestinal diverticulosis;
recovery period after abdominal surgery;
neurological disorders.

In young children, the stomach most often swells in the following cases:

feeding disorders in newborns;
the first days of adaptation to breastfeeding;
congenital intestinal dysfunctions in infants;
abnormalities in the development of the digestive tube;
non-compliance with the diet of a nursing mother;
basic overfeeding if the child is on artificial nutrition;
transferring the newborn to additional formula;
intestinal dysbiosis in a child;
enzymatic disorders;
constipation in newborns;
in older children - with helminthiasis, nervous overstrain, consumption of harmful foods.

1. Gas formation in adults directly depends on the method of nutrition, its regularity and the nature of the food eaten. Alcohol, smoking, drinking sweet carbonated drinks - all this leads to disruption of the enzymatic apparatus of the digestive system and the occurrence of flatulence.

2. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the stomach and intestines significantly slow down the process of breakdown and absorption of food. With these diseases, the passage of contents from the stomach is inhibited and peristalsis is reduced. As a result, gas formation increases significantly and a person experiences bloating.

3. The incompatibility of some foods often causes your stomach to swell. The simultaneous consumption of coarse fiber and milk leads to severe flatulence.

4. In case of dysbacteriosis and infectious diseases, normal microflora is replaced by pathological one. Fermentation and putrefactive reactions begin to predominate, which is accompanied by bloating.

5. Hepatitis and pancreatitis contribute to increased gas formation due to insufficiently efficient production of enzymes. The breakdown of foods is difficult, the remains of dietary fiber are susceptible to fermentation with excessive release of gases, the intestinal loops become over-inflated, which is manifested by farting and stool disturbances.

6. Flatulence is one of the most common problems in the first few months of life. Increased gas formation in newborns is caused by both anatomical and adaptogenic processes. The baby's enzymatic system normalizes its activity only by 6 months, so this period is accompanied by abundant gas formation and frequent farting.

7. Helminthiases in children of primary and school age become causes of both mechanical and chemical delays in digestion. Digestion slows down, food is not absorbed and the child’s stomach begins to swell.

Features of therapy: how to stop farting?

Treatment for bloating depends entirely on the cause of the gas. At home you can do massages, cleansing enemas, warm baths. Drug treatment of flatulence is carried out only as prescribed by a doctor.

Excessive gas formation can be cured by prescribing:

Drugs to normalize intestinal microbiosis.
Diets.
Medicines to reduce gas formation and facilitate gas release.

1. If the cause of flatulence is dysbiosis, then in this case treatment with prebiotics is indicated. They are most often available in capsule form and are prescribed at least 40 minutes before meals. Similar medications include: Bactisuptil, Enterol, Linex. Enterozermina and Hilak Forte are available in liquid form. Drugs such as Bifikol, Bifiliz, Bifidumbacterin require special storage and are subject to a separate preparation method. By using these remedies for about 2 weeks, you can cure intestinal microflora disorders.

2. Problems of enzymatic activity are resolved by using Creon, Mezim-Forte, Festal, Pepfiz. These drugs improve the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients, which significantly reduces gas formation.

3. Adsorbents – contribute to the absorption of gas bubbles and their easier removal. Such drugs include Smecta, activated carbon tablets, Carbolong, Sorbex capsules.

4. Defoamers – reduce the surface tension of small gases formed, precipitate them, and accelerate excretion through the anus. This group includes tablets Espumisan, Disphatil, Zeolate. These substances are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and do not cause harm.

5. If peristalsis is impaired, the tablets of Cerucal, Motilium, and Domperidone will help to establish the passage of intestinal contents.

6. What to do if your baby’s stomach is swollen, the pediatrician will advise. Carminative drops, tinctures, teas and decoctions are usually prescribed. Abdominal massage and the use of a gas outlet tube give good results. When a baby's belly is constantly swollen and he farts frequently, it is difficult to treat the disease without medication. There are drops of Espumisan baby, Sab complex, Smecta, Bobotik. Among the auxiliary agents prescribed are lactulose, No-shpu, Plantex. Sometimes children can be given enemas with antispasmodics, the stomach decreases significantly in size, the child’s pain goes away and he calms down.

Tablets for the treatment of flatulence are used in older children. They are also given anthelmintic therapy in combination with restoration of microflora.

Folk remedies

Tablets, capsules, and enterogels are not suitable for treatment for everyone. Decoctions, various mixtures, and infusions are practically harmless and effective. Fennel, dill and carrot seeds have good carminative and antispasmodic properties.

Crushed cumin or dill seeds (about 3 teaspoons) pour 2 tbsp. boiling water Cover the container with a lid and leave in a warm place for 2 hours. Drink ¼ glass of the infusion several times a day.
Take 2 teaspoons of parsley and dill seeds, pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave overnight in a warm place. The infusion is quite strong, so take 2 tbsp. spoons every 30-40 minutes.

Herbal remedies can also help treat the problem of gas formation in the stomach:

Mix 1 tbsp. spoons of dandelion and nettle rhizomes, 2 tbsp. l valerian roots, buckthorn bark. From this mixture, pour 2 tablespoons into 0.5 liters of boiling water and heat in a water bath for half an hour. Take 100 ml for flatulence.
Chamomile has a good anti-inflammatory effect. Pour 2 teaspoons of crushed chamomile flowers and oregano herb into a glass of boiling water. Leave for 40 minutes, strain and take 50 ml 3 times a day.

You can also make tinctures from leaves of mint, calamus, dill, and lemon balm. Unsweetened teas with the addition of fennel are produced for infants. In cases where flatulence is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, high fever, vomiting, nausea, stool retention or the presence of blood in the stool, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diet

Without proper diet adjustments, it is difficult to achieve good results. Should be excluded:

legumes;
coarse fibrous vegetables;
fresh milk;
fresh sweet pastries;
carbonated drinks;
radish, radish;
black bread.

It is also necessary to limit spicy, sour and sweet foods. Flatulence needs to be treated in a comprehensive manner, so in the morning it would be a good idea to do gymnastics involving abdominal muscle groups.

Gas in the intestines is a rather unpleasant and quite common phenomenon that occurs when there is an increased accumulation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract. This condition occurs due to overeating or eating foods high in fiber. Most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are accompanied by such an unpleasant phenomenon as increased gas formation or flatulence. Excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines can signal problems in the digestive system and indicate the development of certain diseases. Many are embarrassed by these manifestations and put off visiting a doctor, attributing the discomfort to errors in nutrition. However, it is necessary to find out the cause of flatulence, which causes significant inconvenience to the patient and the people around him, and begin treatment.

Increased gas formation can occur when eating foods high in fiber or overeating. These factors lead to disruption of the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and the emergence of a specific problem, which many patients are embarrassed to discuss. Normally, the body of a healthy person necessarily contains about 0.9 liters of gases produced by microorganisms. During normal operation of the digestive system, only 0.1-0.5 liters of gases are removed from the intestines during the day, while with flatulence the volume of waste gases can reach three liters. This state of involuntary release of foul-smelling gases, accompanied by sharp characteristic sounds, is called flatus and indicates dysfunction in the digestive system.

Intestinal gases are produced from five main components:

oxygen,
nitrogen,
carbon dioxide,
hydrogen,
methane

They are given an unpleasant odor by sulfur-containing substances produced by bacteria in the large intestine. Understanding the reasons that cause this phenomenon will help you cope with the problem and get rid of gases in the intestines.

Causes of increased gas formation in the intestines

The accumulation of gases in the intestines can be caused by many reasons:

Flatulence is caused by consuming foods that cause fermentation processes in the body (kvass, beer, black bread, kombucha).
If the diet is dominated by foods that contribute to the formation of gases. These are cabbage, legumes, potatoes, grapes, apples, carbonated drinks.
Increased gas formation is observed in people with lactose intolerance and is caused by the consumption of dairy products.

In addition, flatulence often occurs in various pathological conditions of the body. This could be intestinal dysbiosis, acute intestinal infections, irritable bowel syndrome, or gastrointestinal diseases such as:

cirrhosis of the liver,
colitis,
enteritis.

Dysbiotic causes that arise when the normal intestinal microflora is disrupted can cause excessive gas formation. In this case, normal bacteria (lacto- and bifidobacteria) are suppressed by bacteria of opportunistic microflora (E. coli, anaerobes).

Symptoms of excess gases in the intestines

The main symptoms of excessive gas formation:

Characteristic cramping pain in the abdomen, a feeling of fullness and a constant feeling of discomfort. Painful sensations are caused by a reflex spasm of the intestinal walls, which occurs when its walls are stretched by an increased volume of gas.
Bloating, manifested by an increase in its volume due to the accumulation of gas.
Belching caused by the backflow of gas from the stomach during dysphagia.
Rumbling in the abdomen, which occurs when gases mix with the liquid contents of the intestines.
Nausea accompanying digestive problems. Occurs when toxins are formed and the content of products of incomplete digestion of food in the intestines increases.
Constipation or diarrhea. Increased gas formation in most cases is accompanied by similar stool disorders.
Flatulence. A sharp release of gas from the rectum, accompanied by a characteristic sound and an unpleasant hydrogen sulfide odor.

General symptoms of gases in the intestines can include rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia, and a burning sensation in the heart area. Such conditions provoke pinching of the vagus nerve by swollen intestinal loops and upward displacement of the diaphragm. In addition, the patient is plagued by insomnia caused by intoxication of the body and depressive states with mood swings. There is a constant general malaise as a result of incomplete absorption of nutrients and improper bowel function.

What causes gas to form in the intestines?

Strong gases in the intestines are caused by foods rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber and starch.

Carbohydrates

Of the carbohydrates, the most powerful provocateurs are:

Raffinose. Most of it is found in legumes, asparagus, and cabbage. This carbohydrate is present in smaller quantities in Brussels sprouts, broccoli, artichokes, and pumpkin.
Lactose. This natural disaccharide is found in milk and is found in all products made from it (ice cream, milk powder, dairy dishes). It has been noted that in people with acquired or congenital intolerance to this enzyme, consumption of dairy products leads to symptoms of flatulence.
Sorbitol. Found in most fruits and vegetables. In addition, this carbohydrate is used as a sweetener in the production of dietary products, chewing gum and confectionery.
Fructose. It is also present in almost all vegetables and fruits, and is used in the preparation of soft drinks and fruit juices.

Alimentary fiber

Contained in all products and can be soluble or insoluble. Soluble dietary fiber (pectins) swell in the intestines and form a gel-like mass. In this form, they reach the large intestine, where, when they are broken down, the process of gas formation occurs. Insoluble dietary fiber passes through the gastrointestinal tract practically unchanged and does not contribute to increased gas formation.

Starch

Almost all foods containing starch increase the formation of gases in the intestines. Potatoes, wheat, peas and other legumes, and corn contain a lot of starch. The exception is rice, which contains starch, but does not cause bloating or flatulence.

How is diagnosis carried out?

If a patient complains that he constantly has gas in the intestines, the doctor is obliged to exclude the presence of serious diseases, for which a comprehensive examination of the patient is carried out. It includes physical examination, that is, listening and tapping, and instrumental methods.

Most often, an X-ray of the abdominal cavity is performed, which reveals the presence of gases and the height of the diaphragm. To estimate the amount of gases, rapid introduction of argon into the intestines is used. In this case, it is possible to measure the volume of intestinal gases displaced by argon. In addition, the following diagnostic methods are used:

FEGDS is an examination of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract using a special flexible tube with lighting and a miniature camera at the end. This method allows you to take a piece of tissue for examination, if necessary, that is, do a biopsy.
Colonoscopy. Visual examination of the large intestine with a special device with a camera at the end.
Coprogram. Laboratory research, stool analysis for enzymatic insufficiency of the digestive system.
Stool culture. Using this analysis, the presence of intestinal dysbiosis is detected and disturbances in the intestinal microflora are confirmed.

In case of chronic belching, diarrhea and unmotivated weight loss, an endoscopic examination may be prescribed to exclude suspicion of intestinal cancer. In patients with frequent flatulence (gas production), dietary habits are carefully studied in order to exclude from the diet foods that cause bloating and flatulence.

If lactose deficiency is suspected, the patient is prescribed lactose tolerance tests. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a study of the patient’s daily diet, during which the patient must keep records of his daily diet in a special diary for a certain period of time.

If a patient complains that gases do not pass away in the intestines, frequent bloating and severe pain, the doctor should conduct an examination to exclude intestinal obstruction, ascites (fluid accumulation) or any inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

A thorough examination, adjustment of the diet, and exclusion of provoking factors that cause flatulence will answer the question of why gases are formed in excess quantities in the intestines and what measures to take to get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon.

How to treat gas accumulation in the intestines?

Complex treatment of flatulence includes symptomatic, etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy. But it should be remembered that if the cause of the formation of excess gases is a disease, then the underlying disease must be treated first.

Symptomatic therapy should be aimed at reducing pain and includes the use of antispasmodics (Drotaverine, No-shpa). If flatulence is caused by aerophagia, measures are taken to reduce the swallowing of air during meals.

Pathogenetic therapy combats excess gas formation with the help of:

Sorbents that bind and remove toxic substances from the body (Enterosgel, Phosphalugel). Adsorbents such as Activated carbon are not recommended for long-term use due to severe side effects.
Enzymatic preparations containing digestive enzymes and improving the functioning of the digestive system (Mezim, Pancreatin).
Defoamers that destroy foam, in the form of which gases accumulate in the intestines and improve the absorption capacity of the organ. This group of drugs affects intestinal motility and has a strong carminative effect (Dimethicone, Simethicone).

Etiotropic therapy fights the causes of gas in the intestines:

For dynamic flatulence, agents that enhance intestinal motility (Cerucal) are effective.
For flatulence caused by mechanical causes (intestinal tumors, constipation), treatment will depend on the specific disease. For tumors, surgical intervention will be performed; long-term constipation is eliminated by taking laxatives.
To normalize intestinal function and eliminate dysbiosis, take probiotics containing live bacteria.

The most important factor in the fight against flatulence is diet. To eliminate discomfort, it is necessary to correct the diet and avoid fatty foods, which will help food to be absorbed faster and gases not to linger in the intestines. We will tell you in more detail about how to eat properly when gases form in the intestines.

Diet for flatulence

First of all, you need to find out which foods cause excess gas and then avoid these foods. In some patients, flour products and sweets can provoke flatulence, in others - fatty and meat dishes. You should be wary of foods containing large amounts of fiber. This:

black bread,
legumes,
citrus,
cabbage,
fruits,
berries,
tomatoes,

Try an experiment and exclude one of the following foods from your diet:

bananas,
raisin,
prunes,
radish,
fresh and sour cabbage,
peas,
lentils,
baked goods

Depending on the result, it will be possible to understand what exactly provokes the occurrence of an unpleasant phenomenon. Try not to eat vegetables and fruits raw. It is better to boil or stew vegetables, and use fruits to make compotes or purees.

Try to avoid drinking whole milk, ice cream and milkshakes for two weeks. If such a diet turns out to be effective, then the cause of flatulence lies in lactose intolerance contained in dairy products and it is best to avoid consuming them. If you do not have lactose intolerance, it will be useful to eat yoghurt, kefir, cottage cheese every day, and cook viscous porridge with milk and water.

You should avoid drinking carbonated drinks, kvass, and beer, which cause fermentation processes in the body. To eliminate dysphagia, doctors recommend eating slowly, chewing food thoroughly.

You should stop using chewing gum, as during the chewing process you swallow an excessive amount of air. Try to avoid products containing sorbitol (sugar-free chewing gum, diet foods, breakfast cereals), and avoid whole grain and brown bread.

To get rid of constipation and maintain normal bowel function, you need to eat foods that contain indigestible fiber, such as ground wheat bran. It is important to avoid drinking alcohol and try not to overeat by eating small meals several times a day.

Avoid eating fatty and fried meat products. Dietary meat needs to be boiled or stewed. It is worth trying to replace meat with lean fish, and strong tea or coffee with herbal infusions. It is best to adhere to the principles of separate nutrition and avoid the simultaneous intake of starch and protein foods, for example potatoes with meat.

Unfamiliar exotic dishes that are unusual for the stomach (Chinese, Asian cuisine) can pose a danger. If you have a problem like this, you shouldn’t experiment and it’s better to give preference to traditional national or European cuisine.

It is useful to arrange fasting days for the stomach. This will restore the functioning of the digestive system and help get rid of toxins. On a fasting day, you can boil some rice and eat it warm, in small portions without salt, sugar or oil. Or unload with kefir, if there is no intolerance to dairy products.

In this case, it is recommended not to eat anything during the day, but to drink only kefir (up to 2 liters). To activate the intestines and improve its motility, doctors recommend taking daily walks, walking more and leading an active lifestyle.

Traditional medicine for strong gases in the intestines

Traditional recipes give a good effect when gas accumulates in the intestines. Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs help quickly get rid of an unpleasant illness. Fennel - this medicinal plant has such an effective and gentle effect in eliminating gases that its infusion is given even to small children.

Infusions of caraway seeds and anise have a similar effect. You can simply swallow the thoroughly chewed seeds of these plants after meals, which will help improve digestion.
To prepare the infusion, take cumin or anise seeds. 1 teaspoon is enough. This amount of seeds is poured into a glass of boiling water, allowed to brew for 15 minutes, then filtered. Drink 1/3 glass before each meal.
Mint tea. To prepare it, you can take any type of mint: peppermint, catmint, spearmint. One teaspoon of crushed leaves is poured into 200 ml. boiling water and keep on low heat for about five minutes. Drink like regular tea.
Licorice root decoction. It is prepared in the same way: 1 teaspoon of crushed root is poured with boiling water and kept on low heat for about 10 minutes. Drink a third of a glass before meals.
Infusion of dill seeds. One tablespoon of dill seeds is ground in a mortar to a powdery state, pour 300 ml. boiling water and leave covered for three hours. The resulting infusion is drunk throughout the day, taking the product 30 minutes before meals.
Dandelion infusion. The root of the plant is crushed, poured with 250 ml of warm boiled water and left under the lid overnight. In the morning, filter the infusion and drink 4 times a day before meals.
Flaxseed infusion. Taken orally for flatulence accompanied by constipation. To prepare it 1 tbsp. A spoonful of flaxseed is infused in a glass of boiling water for two hours. Take two tablespoons of infusion during the day and a quarter glass before bed.
Infusion of chamomile flowers. The infusion is prepared in the same way; drink two tablespoons three to four times a day.
Infusion from the herb night blindness. Helps well with chronic constipation and flatulence. Two tablespoons of the herb are poured into 500 ml of boiling water, infused and filtered. Take 1/2 cup three times a day.
Potato juice. Freshly squeezed potato juice helps cope with unpleasant symptoms. It is recommended to drink half a glass of juice for 10 days one hour before meals. If necessary, the course of treatment is repeated after a week.
Slippery elm decoction. This plant quickly copes with increased gas formation. Elm bark is crushed and taken in powder form, half a teaspoon of which is poured with a small amount of warm boiled water and diluted to a viscous mixture so that there are no lumps. Then the mass is poured with a glass of boiling water and simmered over low heat for 20 minutes. The finished mixture is filtered and taken one glass three times a day.

To eliminate constipation leading to gas formation, you can prepare a mixture of dried fruits and senna herb. To do this, 400g of dried apricots and pitted prunes are steamed with warm boiled water and left covered overnight. In the morning, the mixture is passed through a meat grinder, 200 grams of honey and 1 tablespoon of dry hay grass are added, and the mass is mixed well. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Take two teaspoons at night.

Enemas with chamomile decoction will help get rid of gases in the intestines. To prepare the decoction, pour one tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers into a glass of water and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes. Allow the broth to cool, filter and dilute this amount of liquid with two tablespoons of boiled water. The enema is done daily before bed for 3-5 days.

conclusions

So what conclusions can we draw? The phenomenon of accumulation of gases in the intestines is not in itself a disease. But if excess gas is a constant concern and is accompanied by a full range of unpleasant symptoms: heartburn, constipation or diarrhea, stomach pain, unexplained weight loss, you need to seek medical help and undergo a thorough examination to rule out serious diseases.

If, upon examination, suspicions of other diseases disappear, then flatulence can be easily eliminated by changing the diet, proper nutrition and taking medications prescribed by a doctor. Follow all medical recommendations and be healthy!

Normally, the intestines contain up to 0.9 liters of gas, which is formed mainly as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms. Increased gas formation in the intestines is called flatulence and accompanies most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Men and women over the age of 50 suffer from prolonged flatulence with the same frequency. If there are errors in the diet, an occasional increase in gas formation is possible.

Why do gases form in the intestines?

The causes of flatulence are divided into several groups:

insufficient or excessive amounts of certain substances in the diet (nutritional reasons);
digestive (digestive) flatulence;
dysbiotic causes;
mechanical flatulence;
dynamic reasons;
circulatory flatulence;
high altitude flatulence;
dysphagia.

Each group of reasons has its own mechanism:

Nutritional reasons are associated with the direct property of some foods, when digested in the intestines, to release large amounts of gases.
Digestive mechanism flatulence. Due to the disruption of the secretion of digestive enzymes, incomplete breakdown of food and severe gas formation occur, even with a small intake of carbohydrates. This happens against the background of diseases of the digestive system, in which the production of digestive enzymes decreases (chronic pancreatitis, enteritis).
Dysbiotic causes. The small and large intestines contain a large number of microorganisms that are also involved in the digestion of food mass. But if the ratio of the number of bacteria of normal microflora (lactobacteria, bifidumbacteria) and opportunistic flora (peptostreptococcus, E. coli, anaerobes) is violated, food is digested with increased gas formation. This disorder is called dysbiosis.
Mechanical flatulence. With normal digestion and gas formation in the intestines, its elimination is disrupted. In this case, intestinal tumors, helminths, and hard, rocky stools can serve as mechanical obstacles.
Dynamic reasons associated with impaired innervation of the intestine and a decrease in its peristalsis (movements of the intestinal walls that push food masses). In this case, food stagnates, fermentation processes are activated, and gases accumulate.
Circulatory flatulence– the process of impaired absorption of formed gases in the intestines with their neutralization in the liver.
High altitude flatulence– an episodic condition when, when atmospheric pressure decreases in the intestines, excessive gas formation occurs (the effect of opening champagne).
Dysphagia. Due to a disruption in the functioning of the nervous system (often after a stroke), the swallowing of food is disrupted, and a large amount of air is swallowed, which enters the stomach and intestines. Gases in the stomach can also form when they are thrown back from the intestines.

Increased gas formation in the intestines is caused by foods high in carbohydrates and fiber: legumes (soybeans, peas, beans), cabbage, onions, pumpkin, potatoes. Carbohydrates that release gas when broken down are starch, raffinose, sucrose, sorbitol, lactose.

Symptoms of increased gas formation

Flatulence is characterized by local and general manifestations. Local symptoms are directly related to intestinal dysfunction, these include:

abdominal pain - an increased volume of gas causes stretching of the intestinal walls, and a reflex spasm with the development of pain;
bloating – an increase in the volume of the abdomen due to accumulated gas;
rumbling in the abdominal cavity - occurs due to mixing of gas with the liquid part of the intestinal contents;
frequent belching - occurs with dysphagia and the return of gas from the stomach;
diarrhea or constipation - these stool disorders are always accompanied by increased gas formation, and a tendency to loose stools often develops;
nausea is the result of improper digestion and the content of toxins and products of incomplete breakdown of food in the intestines;
flatulation is the release of gas from the rectum, accompanied by an unpleasant odor (hydrogen sulfide) and a feeling of discomfort; normally, episodes of flatulation occur on average up to 20 times a day.

General symptoms:

a burning sensation in the heart - occurs as a result of compression of the vagus nerve by swollen intestinal loops;
increased heart rate;
disturbances in the rhythm of the heart (arrhythmia);
insomnia - caused by intoxication of the body due to partial absorption of gases from the intestines into the blood;
mood disorder – tendency to depression, feeling of awkwardness;
general malaise is the result of improper bowel function and incomplete absorption of nutrients.

Diagnosis of the causes of flatulence

The fact of increased gas formation is established based on the above symptoms. To determine the causes of flatulence and adequate treatment, the following diagnostic methods are prescribed:

coprogram– laboratory examination of stool, which allows us to judge the enzymatic deficiency of the digestive system;
stool culture for dysbacteriosis– used to confirm an imbalance in the intestinal microflora;
intestinal radiography with a contrast agent (barium mixture) – makes it possible to visualize mechanical obstacles to the movement of food masses and gases in the intestine;
fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (FEGDS)– using a special fiber optic tube with lighting and a camera, the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract is examined; if necessary, it is possible to take a piece of tissue for histological examination (biopsy);
colonoscopy- the principle is the same, the large intestine is examined.

X-ray of the intestines with contrast agent

How to get rid of gases in the intestines?

Treatment of increased gas formation begins only after it has been possible to find out its cause. The main goals of therapy are to eliminate the cause of gas formation, normalize intestinal function and eliminate symptoms. To combat the causes of flatulence, the following means are used:

Diet correction. It is necessary to limit the consumption of foods high in fiber and carbohydrates (legumes, cabbage, potatoes), and carbonated water. Instead, it is advisable to consume foods that do not cause gas: lean meats and poultry (beef, rabbit, chicken), fermented milk products (with the exception of whole milk containing lactose), rice.
Probiotics– preparations containing live bacteria of normal intestinal microflora (lactuvit, bifiform) to combat dysbiosis.
Laxatives. They are used in the case of a mechanical block to the movement of food in the intestines. In case of a tumor, surgery is performed.
Drugs that enhance intestinal motility(cerucal) are effective for dynamic flatulence.

To normalize intestinal function, the following means are used:

enzymatic preparations– tablets that contain digestive enzymes, improve food digestion (panzinorm, pancreatin, mezim), are especially effective for pancreatitis and enteritis;
sorbents– bind and remove toxins from the intestines (phosphalugel, enterosgel);
defoamers- agents that reduce the surface tension of gases in the intestine and improve its absorption.

Symptomatic therapy is aimed at reducing pain, for which antispasmodics (no-spa, drotaverine) are used.

One of the most unpleasant things that can happen to people in public is that they can't stop farting, or, more formally speaking, passing gas. When this happens, it is not only indecent, it is also an indicator that there is some kind of problem in the body at the moment. Farting once or, in vulgar terms, “farting” is still normal, but when the problem begins to arise too often, it is necessary to figure out in as much detail as possible what to do about it.

Mechanisms underlying the problem

Although people usually call this problem nothing more than “farting” or “farting,” all of this has scientific names. “Blowing the winds” is based on two mechanisms:

How are gases formed?

A healthy body constantly contains a certain amount of gas, and quite a lot, something like a liter. Some enters the body from the outside when a person swallows air, which he does, for example, while eating or talking. But this, if considered as a percentage, is only a small part of the total accumulation of gases in the body. The largest volume is formed already inside, in the large intestine during digestive processes. It can be up to 75% of the total volume. For example, bacteria in the large intestine produce methane, fatty acids, when broken down, release carbon dioxide, legumes can release hydrogen, and so on.

Diet-related reasons

To understand how to stop farting frequently or even constantly, you must first understand what causes excessive flatulence. And most often it’s about the food a person eats.

The main reason that a person begins to fart too often is the consumption of foods that provoke increased gas formation. These may include:

Dairy products. They contain lactose, which most people cannot digest normally.
Carbonated drinks. Kvass, beer, champagne, and also lemonades increase flatulence. It's all about the gases contained there, as well as the yeast. Lots of such drinks - and the situation gets worse.
Legumes. Peas and similar products increase the amount of hydrogen produced during digestion, which makes the problem worse.
Products with a lot of coarse fiber. Apples, brown bread, potatoes, cabbage, radishes, radishes and similar products, when consumed in excessively large quantities, can lead to increased gas formation.
Products in incorrect combination. Sometimes individual foods, even if you eat a lot of them, may not cause any problems for a person, but in combination they can complicate the digestion process, causing the amount of gases released to increase significantly. This, for example, is white bread with soup, potatoes with sausages and a number of other equally negative combinations.

Other reasons

Self-remediation methods

When you know why farting may occur, you need to take measures to eliminate the problem and understand how to get rid of it. The easiest way to solve the problem is with aerophagia. Here is the treatment - you just need to change your eating behavior, stop talking while eating, eat food in smaller pieces and chew it better.

If the problem is that you eat one of the foods that makes you fart/fart due to the fact that it is not quite adequately accepted by your body, just reconsider your diet. Limit the consumption of those products that were indicated in the points above. Also try to reduce (but not completely eliminate) the amount of easily digestible carbohydrates, such as baked goods, sugar, and protein foods, such as lamb, goose, pork and mushrooms. Then the problem should gradually recede, you will stop farting so often.

Also try to get enough sleep, devote time to physical activity, and so on. Better your health means less chance of the problem getting worse and less need for treatment.

Other methods of elimination

However, sometimes it happens that you cannot stop farting on your own and get rid of it - sometimes the reason is a fairly serious gastrointestinal disease. This can usually be determined by the presence of side symptoms:

blood in stool;
nausea and vomiting;
constipation and diarrhea;
abdominal pain and other abnormalities.

In this case, it is necessary not to take any medications on your own, not to resort to treatment at home, but to go to a therapist or a gastroenterologist, who will prescribe an examination for you, and then treatment - you will take tablets for flatulence, other medications, or do therapeutic procedures to get rid of this problem.

But the main thing is not to panic if you start farting excessively. In a healthy adult, flatulence can occur up to 10-18 times a day, and therefore there is a chance that everything is fine with you and nothing needs to be done.

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Often, some people are bothered by an unpleasant odor when passing gas, which can cause social discomfort. So why do gases have no odor in some cases, but in others they do? To do this, you need to know the composition of the gases released, which component causes the stench and what it depends on.

Composition of intestinal gases

In a healthy person, the composition of the gas mixture excreted through the rectum is as follows:

nitrogen - 24–90% (main type of gas),
carbon dioxide - 8–29%,
oxygen - 1–20%,
hydrogen - 2–50%,
methane - 0–20%.

Intestinal bacteria and gas formation.

Some bacteria produce the gas, while others consume it. Food particles that the digestive system is unable to absorb are broken down into smaller, simpler particles by gas-generating bacteria. This process is called fermentation. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are the gases released in this process.
Other types of gut bacteria consume large amounts of gas, especially hydrogen. These in turn release small amounts of methane or sulfur-containing gases, which are responsible for the bad odor associated with intestinal gas. Some of the gas that is absorbed into the blood is released through the lungs and can be detected using breath tests. This gives doctors the opportunity to evaluate various functions of the digestive system. The remaining gas exits through the anus.

Gas formation in the intestinal lumen occurs in different ways.

Oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide come from the air you swallow, and hydrogen and methane are by-products of the breakdown of food debris by good bacteria (probiotics) that live in the large intestine, i.e. are formed as a result of the enzymatic activity of bacteria. All of these gas components are odorless.
Hydrogen is formed during the processing of fermentable substances (carbohydrates, amino acids) by anaerobic bacteria. A lot of hydrogen is released after eating certain foods (wheat bread, potatoes, corn, beans, cabbage)
Methane is produced by the metabolism of certain intestinal bacteria. In approximately 1/3 of the adult population, the number of these bacteria and, accordingly, the concentration of methane in feces is increased. The ability of each individual to produce methane is a relatively constant value and does not change with age.
Carbon dioxide can also be formed in the colon as a result of the enzymatic action of intestinal bacteria on organic substances that are not absorbed in the small intestine - plant fibers and other components containing carbohydrates that are not hydrolyzed by amylases (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, lignins).
The source of carbon dioxide is also the interaction of bicarbonate and hydrogen ions in the stomach.
Ammonia is formed in the colon due to microbial degradation of urea or amino acids.
The amount and composition of gases depend on the types of bacteria present in the colon; everyone has a unique composition of bacteria from the moment they are born.

What causes the specific smell of intestinal gases?

The intensity of odors when passing gas is related to the percentage of various gases present at any given time.
The bulk of the gas is odorless. Gases that give stool an unpleasant odor are found in the intestines in small quantities.
An unpleasant odor is caused by sulfur-containing compounds - hydrogen sulfide, indole, skatole, methanethiol, which are formed during the digestion of food in the large intestine.
They are produced by specific bacteria in the colon during the decomposition of organosulfur compounds, and primarily during the decay of proteins, which include sulfur-containing amino acids (taurine, methionine and cysteine).
The fact is that proteins not absorbed in the upper parts of the digestive tract are used by pathogenic microflora of the colon as an energy substrate. Enzymes These putrefactive bacteria break down amino acids and convert them into amines, phenols, indole, skatole, mercaptan, and hydrogen sulfide.
Therefore, the more sulfur-containing foods your diet contains, the more of the above compounds will be produced by intestinal bacteria, and the stronger the odor will be. Sulfur-containing products include cauliflower and white cabbage, soybeans, meat, fish, eggs, grains, milk, beer, etc.

Hydrogen sulfide is a component that typically smells like rotten eggs, while methanethiol is reminiscent of the smell of rotten cabbage. This same compound is also responsible for other human body odors, including bad breath.

The human nose can detect hydrogen sulfide in concentrations of up to half a billion, so the passage of even very small amounts of this gas can be noticeable.

Conclusion.

Why is there such a range in the amount of gases produced, their percentage composition and the level of stench depending on the individual?
This is due to the amount of air absorbed, the types of foods consumed, and the internal chemical reactions that occur in the gut microbiome during digestion.
Fermentation occurs when unabsorbed and undigested food remains enter the large intestine. Thus, diet is the main factor (even more significant than the composition of the microbiota) that determines the amount of gases produced.
Diets that reduce the amount of foods that can cause fermentation significantly reduce the amount of gases produced and the intensity of the odor.