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Flatulence is a rather unpleasant condition associated with excessive production of intestinal gases. This leads to a bad mood, especially in company. Flatulence can also be accompanied by persistent abdominal pain and other revelations from the digestive system.
How often does bloating occur?
Women are more likely to suffer from bloating. Especially, this symptom may appear in pregnant or menstruating women. Men have bloating up to twice as often. Flatulence occurs as a natural physiological symptom of the digestive system in about 10-30 percent. all adults.
What can accompany bloating?
- Stomach pain
- Feeling of pressure in the abdomen
- Abdominal fullness
- Increasing the circumference of the abdomen
- Constipation
Flatulence often appears as a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome. They can also arise as a result of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome or in the case of gastrointestinal motility disorders.
When flatulence occurs
Very common after eating foods containing lactose, which is not well digested by most adults. Flatulence also occurs after consuming fructose, which is found in fruit. Excessive amounts of intestinal gas are also produced as a result of the consumption of legumes, such as beans or peas.
Bloating also occurs when too many carbohydrates are eaten. They are then not digested in the stomach, and are moved along with the gastric contents further. Only in the intestines are they fermented, which results in the production of excessive, persistent gas and bloating.
The unpleasant smell of released gases is associated with excessive fermentation of certain substances in the intestines. Methane and hydrogen are then produced.
Treating persistent flatulence:
- It is worth using an elimination diet. Slowly subtract from your menu more products that can cause bloating and observe your body. When the bloating stops, we slowly introduce from the top of the list the products that we rejected at the very beginning. When the bloating starts again – we will know exactly what products cause it. These products should be avoided in the future.
- Prokinetic drugs, activated charcoal or intestinal antibiotics will help with flatulence. Many medications can be prescribed by your doctor.
- It is also worth starting supplementation with probiotics, which will help in the development of the intestinal flora with helpful bacteria that improve digestive processes.
- Food should be eaten slowly, chewing each bite thoroughly.
- Avoid chewing gum and smoking cigarettes. They can lead to aerophagia, which can lead to persistent bloating.
Foods that cause bloating:
- Beans, Brussels sprouts, onions, cabbage
- Bread, pasta
- Apples, peaches, plums, corn, bananas
- Eggs and yogurt