Excessive Gas and Bloating

Bloating, flatulence and belching are the common terms used to refer to the condition of accumulation of excessive gas in the stomach and intestine. Bloating is the sensation of abdominal swelling and tightness, that people usually feel due to excess gas in the stomach or intestine. On the other hand, flatulence is the term used for the act of expelling intestinal gas through the anus, while belching is the expulsion of gas from the stomach through the mouth.

Causes of Flatulence and Bloating

A number of different factors can cause this problem. Many times, it can be a result of air swallowing, wrong eating habits, bacterial production, etc.

Air Swallowing
Swallowing a small amount of air is done by almost everyone while eating or drinking. But, the habit of eating rapidly, or gulping liquid as well as smoking, can cause the ingestion of a larger amount of gas, which can be the main source of gas that accumulates in the stomach. Air swallowed in this manner rarely passes into the intestine and causes flatulence. Most of the time, it is expelled through the mouth. Air that we swallow while eating or drinking, basically contains oxygen and nitrogen. While oxygen is absorbed by the mucus lining of the gut, nitrogen is not absorbed in this manner, for which it passes into the intestine and can cause flatulence.

Gas Produced by Bacteria
Our digestive tract is the home of numerous bacteria, some of which participate in the digestion of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are normally digested by the digestive enzymes in the small intestine. But, some of them may not be completely digested by these enzymes, which gives an opportunity to the bacteria to participate in the process and produce gas as byproduct. The main constituents of this gas are carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. These gases are expelled from the large intestine through the anus, in the form of flatulence. Sometimes, the gas expelled in this manner may contain a foul odor, which can be attributed to traces of sulfur containing gases.

Other Causes
Some other common causes are the consumption of a high-fat meal and certain foods like beans, cabbage, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, bread, apples, potatoes, sprouts, etc. which have the tendency of producing excess gas. This is because most of these food items either contain certain types of starch or contain cellulose, which are quite difficult to completely digest. The undigested starch reaches the colon and produces gas. Similarly, lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance can also produce abdominal bloating.

Apart from these, sometimes, physical obstruction, that can happen anywhere from the stomach to the rectum, can also cause this condition. The obstruction can be either temporary or permanent, and examples include scarring of the pylorus and constipation. Even functional obstruction caused by poor functioning of the intestinal muscles can cause bloating. These muscles are responsible for propelling the contents of the intestine and when they are not working properly, the intestinal content accumulates and causes gas and bloating. Sometimes, frequent bouts of bloating and gas may be associated with diseases like irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms and Treatment for Flatulence and Bloating

The typical symptoms include abdominal swelling, excessive belching, excessive flatulence, constipation and abdominal pain or cramps. Diarrhea may also be present in some individuals.

Diagnostic tests include abdominal X-ray, intestinal X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), maldigestion and malabsorption tests and methane/methane breath tests. All these tests help to find out the exact causes.

As far as the treatment is concerned, some simple dietary and habit changes can help to get rid of this condition. It is essential to avoid the habit of eating rapidly, to prevent the swallowing of a large amount of gas. One should also avoid the habit of lying down immediately after eating. Try to avoid or reduce the consumption of a high-fat diet, drink plenty of water and replace large meals with frequent small meals to get desired results. Sometimes it may be required to avoid or limit the consumption of certain foods, which contains those starches, which cannot be fully digested by the enzymes.

But, if pancreatic insufficiency is the root cause, then physicians may recommend supplemental enzymes. Simethicone and charcoal are also used in the treatment of gas and bloating. An overgrowth of bacteria, on the other hand can be tackled temporarily with the help of antibiotics. However, surgery may be required in case of physical obstruction. But, if the obstruction is of functional nature, then medications like erythromycin or metoclopramide can provide relief.

So, if you are suffering from bloating problems, try some changes and in your habit, especially dietary habit. But if such changes fail to provide you any relief, then it is better to approach a medical practitioner or physician, to properly diagnose the condition and detect the underlying causes.