Flatulence is the medical term for expulsion of intestinalgases through the rectum. It occurs when excess gases build up in the
intestines and the rest of the digestive tract. These gases are then
transported out of the body through the rectum and this condition is nothing
but flatulence. There can be a number of reasons responsible for flatulence and
bloating, the most common being the chemical reaction between certain foods we
eat that stimulate the production of excess gas in the intestine. Flatulence is
a part of digestion and is a perfectly normal condition. However, excessive
flatulence can be the cause of a lot of discomfort and may call for medical
intervention. Chronic flatulence can sometimes be a result of some underlying
medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and other
digestive disorders.
What are the causes of
flatulence?
There can be several reasons that can cause flatulence.
Swallowing excess air and the breakdown of certain undigested food that is not
digested naturally can result in excessive gas and bloating. Foods that are
difficult to digest, such as starch and fibres, pass in the undigested form,
from the small intestine into the large intestine. When this undigested food
reaches the large intestine, a number of intestinal bacteria act upon it and
produce several gases. These gases exit the body through the rectum resulting
in flatulence. Other conditions responsible for bloating and flatulence include
lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, fat malabsorption, and constipation.
Gastroenteritis, colorectal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and some other
digestive disorders may also have flatulence as one of their symptoms.
What are the treatment options
for flatulence?
Flatulence is a normal digestive condition and does not
require any treatment. There are several natural treatment options that can be
used to prevent excessive gas and bloating. Every person's body reacts in a
different way to different foods. Certain foods may trigger flatulence in your
case but a friend of yours may enjoy the same foods without any discomfort. So,
the most important thing to do is to identify your gas trigger foods and avoid
them. This list of foods that cause bloating can help you in doing so. Simple
changes in the diet and lifestyle can help in preventing this condition to a
great extent.
- If you are affected by excessive flatulence, you should avoid overeating and go for smaller meals that are easy on the stomach.
- Simple exercises such as brisk walking and jogging can provide great comfort and relief.
- If lactose intolerance is the cause for this condition in your case, remove all dairy products from your diet for some days to assess the effect on flatulence.
- Ginger and lemon juice works wonders for relieving bloating and is commonly used as a flatulence remedy. Some other home remedies for flatulence include cinnamon, basil, garlic, nutmeg, fennel seeds, cumin, and coriander.
- Drinking tea made with chamomile, fennel, caraway, dill, or peppermint after a meal also proves as a great flatulence cure.
These were some home remedies to prevent bloating andflatulence. There are a number of over-the-counter medications that are
effective in treating flatulence. Antacids and certain digestive enzymes are
the most common non-prescription remedies used to curb flatulence and bloating.
They are available in both chewable forms as well as in the liquid form.
Medications containing digestive enzymes may prove useful for those affected by
flatulence problems due to lactose intolerance. Probiotics encourage the growth
of friendly bacteria in the digestive system and can improve digestion, thus,
reducing the problem of stomach bloating and gas. Another common
over-the-counter medication that is believed to be effective against this
condition is charcoal tablets. Charcoal absorbs the gas from the digestive
system and thus reduces symptoms of flatulence. However, charcoal tablets
should be avoided if you are taking any other medications.
One more thing that can help in relieving the symptoms is
drinking plenty of water as it aids in the process of digestion. However, you
must consult the doctor as soon as possible, if the symptoms of this condition
persist for long and none of the remedies seem to be working.
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