Flatulence is an abdominal discomfort or fullness that is relieved by
passing wind through the anus or belching. Flatulence is a feature of many
gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and gallbladder
disorders. Flatus (gas),
passing wind through the anus or belching. Flatulence is a feature of many
gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and gallbladder
disorders. Flatus (gas),
which is commonly known as ‘wind’ which is passed
through the anus. Gas is formed in the large intestine by the action of
bacteria on carbohydrates and amino acids in food. Large amounts of gas may
cause abdominal discomfort, which may be relieved by the passage wind or defecation.
Flatulence is also the accumulation of gas in the alimentary canal or the
presence of too much gas or air in the stomach or intestine.
Flatulence is the passage of intestinal gas (flatus) through the rectum.
Passing gas is normal and every human being does it at least 14times a day,
consciously or unconsciously. Sometimes flatulence happens more often than
expected and this can become embarrassing problem if the gas is release in a
crowd, especially if it is loud and smelly. Extreme flatulence can even
interfere with a person’s ability to work and socialize comfortably with other
people.
Passing gas is normal and every human being does it at least 14times a day,
consciously or unconsciously. Sometimes flatulence happens more often than
expected and this can become embarrassing problem if the gas is release in a
crowd, especially if it is loud and smelly. Extreme flatulence can even
interfere with a person’s ability to work and socialize comfortably with other
people.
CAUSES OF FLATULENCE
Most cases of flatulence are related to factors that can be controlled.
This is because intestinal gas usually comes from two sources-swallowed air or
the work of intestinal bacteria on digested food, lactose intolerance and malabsorption of certain foods.
This is because intestinal gas usually comes from two sources-swallowed air or
the work of intestinal bacteria on digested food, lactose intolerance and malabsorption of certain foods.
Swallowed air is one of the causes of flatulence. Although much of this
swallowed air is belched upward through the mouth, a small amount passes into
the intestines and out through the rectum or anus. People swallow air in many
different ways, particularly by:
swallowed air is belched upward through the mouth, a small amount passes into
the intestines and out through the rectum or anus. People swallow air in many
different ways, particularly by:
1.
Unconsciously gulping air as they talk, especially when they upset,
excited or nervous.
Unconsciously gulping air as they talk, especially when they upset,
excited or nervous.
2.
Eating or drinking in a hurry.
Eating or drinking in a hurry.
3.
Chewing gum
Chewing gum
4.
Smoking
Smoking
5.
Drinking of carbonated beverages.
Drinking of carbonated beverages.
Bacteria in the intestine also can produce gas when they process foods
that pass into the colon without being digested higher up in the digestive
tract. Much of the gas generated is due to microbial (bacteria) breakdown of
foods so that gases for example; hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane are
generated; the odour is from other trace waste gases or compounds such as
skatole and sulphur containing substances.
that pass into the colon without being digested higher up in the digestive
tract. Much of the gas generated is due to microbial (bacteria) breakdown of
foods so that gases for example; hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane are
generated; the odour is from other trace waste gases or compounds such as
skatole and sulphur containing substances.
SYMPTOMS
1.
Increased frequency or excessive instances of passing of gas.
Increased frequency or excessive instances of passing of gas.
2.
Smelly or foul smelling gas production (flatulence).
Smelly or foul smelling gas production (flatulence).
3.
Belching.
Belching.
4.
Abdominal. Bloating and/or abdominal pain or discomfort.
Abdominal. Bloating and/or abdominal pain or discomfort.
FOODS THAT CAUSES
FLATULENCE OR FOOD NOT ALLOWED
FLATULENCE OR FOOD NOT ALLOWED
1.
Foods rich in fibre: These include fruits, beans, peas, and oat bran.
Foods rich in fibre: These include fruits, beans, peas, and oat bran.
2.
Foods containing fructose: Fructose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally
in many fruits, especially figs, dates, prunes, pears, and grapes. It’s also
found in smaller amounts in onions, asparagus, artichokes and wheat. Fructose
sometimes is added as a sweetener to soft drinks, fruit drinks, and some
cookies and cakes.
Foods containing fructose: Fructose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally
in many fruits, especially figs, dates, prunes, pears, and grapes. It’s also
found in smaller amounts in onions, asparagus, artichokes and wheat. Fructose
sometimes is added as a sweetener to soft drinks, fruit drinks, and some
cookies and cakes.
3.
Vegetables containing raffinose: Raffinose is a complex sugar found in many
cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, Brussels, sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower) and
in beans. Beans also contain staychyose, another form of poorly digested sugar.
Vegetables containing raffinose: Raffinose is a complex sugar found in many
cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, Brussels, sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower) and
in beans. Beans also contain staychyose, another form of poorly digested sugar.
4.
Sorbitol: It is used to sweeten many sugar-free gums and
candies.
Sorbitol: It is used to sweeten many sugar-free gums and
candies.
5.
Dairy products containing lactose, a sugar found in
milk: People
who lactose intolerant find it difficult to digest milk, cheese, ice cream and
other dairy products. These people may have usually low levels of lactase, an
enzyme needed to digest lactose.
Dairy products containing lactose, a sugar found in
milk: People
who lactose intolerant find it difficult to digest milk, cheese, ice cream and
other dairy products. These people may have usually low levels of lactase, an
enzyme needed to digest lactose.
6.
Carbonated beverages like spring water, beer, soda or eat a lot of high
fibre fruits and vegetables, beans, corn, noodles, pasta, potatoes and wheat.
Carbonated beverages like spring water, beer, soda or eat a lot of high
fibre fruits and vegetables, beans, corn, noodles, pasta, potatoes and wheat.
FOOD ALLOWED OR
DIETARY MANAGEMENT OF FLATULENCE
DIETARY MANAGEMENT OF FLATULENCE
Here are six food groups that you can eat without worrying about
suffering from flatulence or when suffering from flatulence.
suffering from flatulence or when suffering from flatulence.
1.
Non-gassy proteins.
Non-gassy proteins.
Foods that are rich in protein do not really cause flatulence, except
when they are not properly chewed and digested. There are some foods rich in
protein that do not give off too much gas like grass fed lean beef, white meat
like chicken and turkey, hard cheese, peanut butter, fish and eggs. These foods
are not only stomach friendly. They are also good for people who are on a diet.
when they are not properly chewed and digested. There are some foods rich in
protein that do not give off too much gas like grass fed lean beef, white meat
like chicken and turkey, hard cheese, peanut butter, fish and eggs. These foods
are not only stomach friendly. They are also good for people who are on a diet.
2. Vegetables with low carbohydrates.
The main culprit as to why people suffer from stomach gas problems is
carbohydrates. This is why it is important to eat low carbohydrate foods like
low carbohydrates vegetables since you cannot completely avoid carbohydrate in
your diet. Some examples of carbohydrates are carrots, celery, cucumber,
fennel, eggplant, green beans, herbs greens, mushrooms, okra, pumpkin,
radicchio, tomatoes and pepper.
carbohydrates. This is why it is important to eat low carbohydrate foods like
low carbohydrates vegetables since you cannot completely avoid carbohydrate in
your diet. Some examples of carbohydrates are carrots, celery, cucumber,
fennel, eggplant, green beans, herbs greens, mushrooms, okra, pumpkin,
radicchio, tomatoes and pepper.
3. Fruits with low sugar content.
Sugars found in fruits are known to cause flatulence. This type of sugar
is called fructose. What you can do is to eat fruits with low sugar content
like apples, certain berries, apricots, guavas, melons, grapefruit, pears,
lime, lemon, and water melon. It is better to eat these fruits raw.
is called fructose. What you can do is to eat fruits with low sugar content
like apples, certain berries, apricots, guavas, melons, grapefruit, pears,
lime, lemon, and water melon. It is better to eat these fruits raw.
4.
Wheat alternatives.
Wheat alternatives.
Wheat is difficult to digest, which is why it is one of the main causes
of flatulence. You can enjoy bread, pasta, and other foods by using wheat
alternatives like corn, rice, millet and wild rice.
of flatulence. You can enjoy bread, pasta, and other foods by using wheat
alternatives like corn, rice, millet and wild rice.
5. Dairy substitutes
Lactose is another form of sugar that can cause discomfort in your
stomach. You can eat dairy substitutes made from soya like cheese, yogurts , and
desserts; milk made from oat, almond, rice, soya and yeast flakes.
stomach. You can eat dairy substitutes made from soya like cheese, yogurts , and
desserts; milk made from oat, almond, rice, soya and yeast flakes.
6. Avocado, humus, tahini and guacamole.
For sandwich spreads and salad dressing, you can use these foods that do
not cause of flatulence. They are also healthier than other kinds of spread and
dressing.
not cause of flatulence. They are also healthier than other kinds of spread and
dressing.
