Treatment for Flatulence
Flatulence is when a mixture of gases in the intestine gets expelled through the rectum. The term ‘flatus’ refers to the gases present in the intestine; these gases consist of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and a little amount of methane and hydrogen. These gasses are actually the byproducts of the process of digestion. The process of their expulsion is usually known as passing gas or farting. Excessive Flatulence problems not only can bring about discomfort but can also be very embarrassing. The cause of the noise is due to the anal sphincter vibrating.
Foods that Cause Flatulence
The causes of flatulence will differ from each person whether in children, men, women, babies or the elderly. The causes of flatulence problems in women, for example, could be very different from the causes of foul smelling flatulence in babies. For some people, the causes of flatulence can be due to swallowing gas during drinking or eating. For others, it could be due to some foods that cause flatulence by stimulating the gas production in the intestine. Foods that can bring about flatulence in some individuals may not have the same effect in others. It will depend on the type and amount of bacteria present in each person’s large intestine. Foods that produce gas need not be completely eliminated unless there are food tolerance problems. Some of the foods that cause flatulence are Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, bananas, deep fried foods, eggplant, tuna, prune juice, cabbage, turnips, and carbonated beverages. Belching is also caused by beer as it produces carbon dioxide in the stomach. Foul smelling hydrogen sulfide can be produced in some people. Certain foods that contain cellulose and starch do not get digested easily by the body. Therefore, they can cause foul smelling flatulence after eating. Foods that come under this category are beans, bread, potatoes, and dairy products.
Flatulence is actually quite a normal part of the process of digestion and usually no treatment is required. However, if the flatulence is excessive and a lot of discomfort is experienced, then medical treatment may be required. Firstly, individuals who tend to eat fast should begin chewing foods thoroughly and slowly. By doing this, you will avoid taking in a lot of air, and it will also help in digesting carbohydrates. This is due to the fact that digestion begins from the time we start chewing the food. Therefore, chewing properly will enable the carbohydrates to breakdown so that it can be digested easily by the enzymes in the stomach.
One of the effective ways on how to stop flatulence naturally is with ginger. Ginger helps in bringing relief to indigestion and the flatulence that results. Other effective flatulence remedies are coriander, cumin, cardamom seeds, cloves, cinnamon, and fennel seeds. However, in some cases, an individual many need to take some over the counter medications such as activated charcoal tablets. Charcoal helps in absorbing gas and is therefore effective in getting rid of gas in the intestine. However, if you are using other medicines, then you should consult a doctor before taking the charcoal tablets. The reason for this is because the other medications can also be absorbed by the charcoal along with the intestinal gas.
One of the causes of flatulence at night is consuming a heavy dinner. Try to keep your dinner light and also try to eat earlier. Identify the foods that bring about the problem and eliminate them. One of the causes of flatulence in pregnancy is due to high levels of progesterone, which is a hormone that makes the smooth muscle tissue relax through the body and the gastrointestinal tract. This relaxed state makes the process of digestion slow and therefore leads to burping, flatulence, and bloating. Some of the causes of flatulence and diarrhea are lactose intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. In some cases, diarrhea can cause complications that are life threatening like dehydration. If you have diarrhea along with a fever that goes more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit and also fainting and vomiting, you should consult a doctor immediately.
