Many people are faced with such an unpleasant problem as increased gas formation. What to do in such cases? What are the reasons for the development of flatulence? Is it possible to improve the work of the digestive tract at home? These questions are of interest to many patients.
Gas formation in the intestines
Normally, a he althy person produces about 0.9 liters of gas in the intestines per day. By the way, the process of formation of gas compounds is mainly associated with the vital activity of microorganisms that live in the digestive system.
But some people have increased gas production. A similar disorder has its own medical name - flatulence. By the way, this violation is an invariable companion of many diseases of the digestive tract. According to statistics, people over the age of 50 most often suffer from constant flatulence.
Increased gas formation: causes
Meteorism is an extremely unpleasant problem. Andtoday, many people are interested in questions about why increased gas formation occurs. Modern medicine knows many reasons for this phenomenon:
- Often flatulence is caused by dietary habits.
- The causes of increased gas formation can also include intestinal dysbiosis, in which qualitative and quantitative changes in the microflora are observed.
- Flatulence also occurs against the background of diseases of the digestive tract associated with a violation of the synthesis of enzymes, as a result of which incompletely digested food accumulates in the intestines, where fermentation processes begin.
- Gas in the intestines can accumulate in the presence of some mechanical obstruction, which is observed in the presence of dense feces, tumors, accumulation of helminths, etc.
- Impaired intestinal motility can also cause flatulence.
- Some people have the so-called high- altitude flatulence - increased gas formation begins with a decrease in atmospheric pressure.
flatulence and digestive disorders
Of course, the increased formation of gases affects the work of the entire digestive system, bringing a lot of problems to a person's life. Here are the main complaints of patients with a similar diagnosis:
- First of all, there are pains in the abdomen, because an increase in the volume of gas entails stretching of the intestinal walls and reflex spasm.
- Another symptom is persistent bloating, which again is associated withan increase in the volume of gases formed.
- Many patients complain of constant rumbling in the stomach. This happens when gas mixes with fluid inside the intestines.
- Flatulence is often accompanied by stool disorders. Most often, patients complain of diarrhea, although the possibility of periodic constipation is also possible.
- Due to the back flow of gases from the stomach, people with this diagnosis suffer from frequent belching, which is also extremely unpleasant.
- Incorrect digestion and the presence of incomplete digestion products in the intestines leads to nausea.
- One of the symptoms is frequent flatulation - the release of gases from the rectum. The unpleasant odor is due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide in gases.
General symptoms of flatulence
Constant increased gas formation in the abdomen affects not only the work of the digestive tract - this phenomenon negatively affects the work of the whole organism. In particular, people suffering from chronic flatulence often complain of heart problems. For example, it is possible to develop arrhythmias, palpitations, as well as from time to time a burning sensation in the region of the heart. Similar disorders are associated with irritation of the vagus nerve as a result of swelling of intestinal loops.
Many patients also complain of sleep problems. Insomnia in most cases is associated with intoxication of the body, since gases are partially absorbed by the blood. Definitely constant abdominal discomfortaffects the emotional state of a person. A violation of normal digestion and absorption of nutrients eventually leads to general malaise, deficiency of vitamins and minerals.
Increased gas formation in children
According to statistics, approximately 90% of newborn babies experience such an unpleasant phenomenon as increased gas formation. The reasons in this case can be very diverse. To begin with, it is worth remembering that the baby’s digestive system is not yet populated with the necessary beneficial bacteria. In addition, flatulence and flatulence in the intestines can be caused by improper diet, such as the use of inappropriate artificial milk formulas or the failure of a nursing mother to follow a proper diet.
How to deal with increased gas formation in an infant? Modern medicine offers some natural preparations that facilitate the removal of gases from the intestines. Abdominal massage can help relieve pain. In addition, doctors recommend putting the baby on the tummy more often - this is also a kind of massage. You can also free the intestines from gases with the help of a special rectal tube.
flatulence and pregnancy
Increased gas formation during pregnancy is by no means uncommon, since most expectant mothers face a similar problem at a certain time. Naturally, such violations appear for a reason.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, an increase in the amount of gases is associated with hormonalperestroika. Indeed, during this period, the endocrine system releases an increased amount of progesterone. This hormone causes the smooth muscles of the uterus to relax, which prevents miscarriage. But at the same time, such changes also cause relaxation of the intestinal walls, which entails violations of its normal release from gases.
Increased flatulence during pregnancy is also observed at later stages, which is associated with the growth of the fetus and an increase in the size of the uterus, which begins to put pressure on the intestinal loops. This creates a mechanical barrier to food and gases.
Modern diagnostic methods
If you notice increased gas formation in yourself, what should you do in such cases? Of course, you need to tell your doctor about your problems, because if left untreated, flatulence can lead to extremely unpleasant consequences.
The specialist will definitely prescribe you an examination, since in this case it is important not only to establish the fact of the presence of flatulence, but also to find its cause. For this purpose, the patient submits stool samples for analysis. The coprogram provides information about the presence of certain digestive disorders, and bacteriological culture helps to assess the state of the intestinal microflora.
In some cases, an x-ray is also performed using a contrast agent - a similar study shows if there are any mechanical obstacles in the intestines to move food and gases. In addition, colonoscopy and fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy are performed - these procedures make it possible to fully examine the wallsdigestive tract.
Increased gas formation: what to do? Treatment of flatulence with drugs
If you have a similar problem, it is best to immediately consult a doctor. What therapy does increased gas production require? Treatment in this case directly depends on the cause of this disorder. For example, with dysbacteriosis, patients are prescribed probiotics that help restore microflora.
In some cases, it is advisable to use drugs that enhance intestinal motility. If there is any mechanical obstruction in the intestines, then first it must be eliminated. For example, for constipation, laxatives are used, in the presence of a tumor, surgical intervention is necessary.
Sorbents are another group of drugs that is necessary for such a problem as increased gas formation in the intestines. Medicines help bind and remove toxins from the body. Some patients are prescribed enzymatic agents that promote digestion. With severe pain, antispasmodics can be taken.
Proper diet for increased gas production
In fact, the treatment of flatulence can be accelerated if the diet is properly formulated. First of all, the menu should include products that have a positive effect on the digestive system. It's no secret how useful fermented milk products are, and with increased gas formation, they become completely indispensable.
Furthermore, in the dietyou can include cereals - this is rice, buckwheat, millet porridge, etc. Such dishes provide the body with the necessary nutrients without causing an increase in gas formation. You can eat baked fruits (apples will be especially useful), steamed vegetables, and boiled meat (it is advisable to choose dietary varieties, such as chicken breast, rabbit meat). Some spices can also be added to dishes. For example, marjoram, fennel and cumin improve digestion and facilitate the process of removing gases from the intestines.
List of products prohibited for flatulence
Of course, there are products that increase gas formation. And people suffering from flatulence should avoid such food. It's no secret that legumes affect the gas formation process - at first, they should be completely excluded from the diet.
In addition, it is worth limiting the amount of foods rich in coarse fiber. This group includes garlic, cabbage (especially raw), as well as radishes, spinach, raspberries, onions, radishes, gooseberries, and some varieties of apples. It is recommended to exclude black bread, grapes, kvass, beer and alcoholic beverages from the diet, as they enhance the fermentation processes in the stomach, which, accordingly, leads to the formation of a large amount of gases.
It is also worth limiting the amount of hard-to-digest foods. This group includes pork, lamb, mushrooms and eggs. It is not recommended to abuse simple carbohydrates, which are so rich in sweets and pastries.
Folk remediesfor the treatment of flatulence
Many people report increased gas production. What to do in such cases? Of course, traditional medicine offers a lot of a wide variety of remedies that can get rid of bloating and reduce the amount of gases formed.
The simplest and most affordable "medicine" are dill seeds. To prepare the product, you need to pour two teaspoons of seeds with two cups of boiling water. Close the container with a lid and leave for 20-30 minutes. Now the liquid can be filtered. Adults take half a cup thrice daily.
Carrot seeds can also be used to combat flatulence. Pour a tablespoon of seeds into a thermos, pour a glass of boiling water and leave overnight. You need to drink three times a day for half a glass. By the way, it is better to warm up the decoction before use.
You can refill your first aid kit with almond oil. For flatulence, apply 6-8 drops of oil on a piece of white bread and eat. In addition, fennel helps to fight bloating and gas formation - you can buy ready-made teas in a pharmacy. Experts also recommend drinking a glass of filtered water at room temperature in the morning on an empty stomach.
