home Endocrinology How to effectively remove gases from the intestines. Elimination of increased gas formation. How to relieve gas symptoms

How to effectively remove gases from the intestines. Elimination of increased gas formation. How to relieve gas symptoms

Everyone is familiar with this condition in which the stomach becomes hard, like a drum and large, and loud rumbling sounds appear in it, confusing others. Not a single person has experienced such a delicate and inherently unpleasant problem at least once in their life, which arises when there is an excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines. It is called flatulence, and is accompanied by a number of negative signs in people suffering from this pathology. Often such a delicate problem is provoked by nervous tension, further aggravating a person’s psycho-emotional state and embarrassing others.

Causes of flatulence

Appearance large quantity gases in the intestines or stomach occurs when some disturbances occur in the human digestive tract. These include an increase in the formation of gases, a decrease in their release due to any physiological or mechanical reasons, and a violation of absorption. Depending on the provoking factors, experts distinguish several types of flatulence:

caused by an imbalance in the diet;
arising against the background of a violation of the intestinal microflora;
associated with intoxication or infection of the body;
caused by blood flow disorders.

Delicate dysfunction may occur digestive organs and due to the development of gastrointestinal diseases, the appearance of mechanical obstacles on the intestinal walls, tumors or polyps that impede the free passage of the gas mixture, as well as neuropsychiatric disorders.

The most basic reason causing the appearance negative changes in gas metabolism is a nutritional factor. In this case, the accumulation of a gas mixture in the intestines is directly facilitated by violations of the diet or the basic rules of food consumption.

Such flatulence is usually observed after eating food that contains gas-forming components or nutrients that can provoke the development of fermentation processes. It is quite easy to get rid of such pathological dysfunction by simply making the necessary changes to the menu and adjusting your eating habits.

Pathological development factors

If alimentary, food, causes of flatulence are easily eradicated and do not pose an immediate danger to people, then the same cannot be said about the pathological prerequisites for metabolic disorders. Dysfunction of gas production in the stomach and intestines in this case occurs due to the development of a serious gastrointestinal disease, without eliminating which the delicate problem cannot be dealt with.

The mechanism for the development of pathology in this situation is characterized by the fact that food that enters the stomach lingers in it for long time and is not properly broken down into nutrients that can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Such reasons usually include the following:

Psychogenic factor. In a person prone to hysteria or often in stressful situations, there is always overexcitation of the nervous system, which is usually accompanied by the appearance of spasms on the smooth muscles of the intestines. They slow down peristalsis, which provokes excessive accumulation of gases in the digestive system and the occurrence of abdominal pain against this background.
Malabsorption and enzymatic deficiency also contribute to the development of flatulence. In this case, gas dysfunction occurs due to the fact that food is unable to be completely digested in the stomach and enters the intestine unprepared for further breakdown and absorption, which provokes the development of fermentation and putrefactive processes.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are not inflammatory in nature, such as dysbiosis.
Appearance in gastrointestinal tract mechanical obstacles (stenosis, tumors, polyps).
Inflammatory diseases digestive tract(Crohn's disease, colitis, pancreatitis).
Impaired intestinal motility, which occurs when the mesentery is strangulated, severe infections or peritonitis.
Increased gas formation processes in the lumen of the large or small intestine can also be provoked infectious diseases data from the digestive organs. Experts note that this can be simple poisoning from poor-quality food, or serious infections such as intestinal flu, dysentery, and salmonellosis.

Symptoms of the disease

The negative signs characteristic of any type of flatulence consist directly in swelling and bloating of the entire abdomen, or any area of it, the appearance of cramping or cramping in it that resembles acute colic pain, involuntary release of a gas mixture, accompanied by a sound effect and an unpleasant odor that can confuse others. In addition, characteristic symptoms of flatulence include:

dysphagia causing belching of air;
arising in abdominal cavity loud rumbling sounds provoked by mixing the liquid contents of the digestive organs with a gas mixture;
nausea accompanying digestive problems;
flatulence - a “loud” release of gas from the rectum with an unpleasant aroma;
stool disorders.

Negative symptoms may also be observed from the nervous or cardiovascular systems. Most often, a patient with flatulence experiences tachycardia, sudden mood swings, increased fatigue and sleep disturbances. In addition, there are always those symptoms that are inherent in the disease that provoked dysfunction of gas formation in the intestines.

Diagnosis and basic treatment methods

There are usually no difficulties in identifying gas dysfunction in the intestines. Problems can arise only when it is determined what exactly caused the increased gas formation in the intestines. In typical cases, diagnosis is carried out as follows:

interviewing the patient regarding his complaints, lifestyle, nature and duration of the disease, dietary habits;
laboratory tests of urine, feces and blood;
To exclude lactose intolerance, special tests are performed;
if an enzymatic deficiency associated with the development of pancreatitis is suspected, ultrasound is prescribed;
In order to clarify the diagnosis and exclude gastrointestinal pathologies, instrumental examination is necessary - fibrogastroduadenoscopy and colonoscopy.

After diagnosis, depending on the results obtained characterizing the pathological dysfunction and the identified provoking factor, treatment is prescribed. Its principle is to eliminate the cause that caused the development of the disease, and includes such stages as drug or surgical treatment of the disease that provoked flatulence, restoration of motor functions and disorders of the intestinal biocenosis and removal of gas accumulated there from its lumen.

All treatment measures should be carried out only against the background of a special diet selected by a specialist.

Drug therapy

When choosing a treatment course to eliminate a pathology, specialists rely on the cause that provoked it. In the event that gas discomfort in the intestines is associated with nutritional factors or diseases of the digestive system such as intestinal atony, colitis, etc., a diet is prescribed with a limitation of foods that cause increased gas formation, correction of the diet and mandatory thorough chewing of food.

The following medications are usually prescribed:

adsorbents (purified chalk, carbolene or Activated carbon after meal);
carminative ( herbal infusions from yarrow, dill, mint, clover and chamomile, which are taken in small portions throughout the day);
for constipation that provokes increased gas formation, enemas with chamomile decoction and 1-2 tbsp. l. Vaseline oil before bedtime;
for spasms, antispasmodics are prescribed at the discretion of a specialist;
if the flatulence is reflexive, the patient is given atropine injections, after which a siphon enema and adsorbents are given.

In the case when flatulence is a symptom of such serious digestive pathologies as acute paresis stomach, intestinal obstruction, pancreatic necrosis, peritonitis, etc., the sick person is immediately admitted to the hospital. In these cases, use to restore gas formation is permissible only in a hospital setting.

Diet for flatulence

Gastroenterologists advise that in case of increased gas formation, adhere to certain dietary recommendations that will help reduce it, which will relieve the symptoms of flatulence:

Using the test method, identify those foods that provoke pathological dysfunction and completely eliminate them from the diet. Also, all types of carbonated drinks should be banished from the table.
Reducing fatty and fried foods in your daily diet, which complicate digestion and the movement of the food bolus, which naturally provokes increased gas formation, as well as a feeling of discomfort and heaviness in the stomach.
It is necessary to temporarily reduce the amount of fiber consumed, the main nutritional cause of the formation of a gas mixture. After the end of treatment, it is added to the diet, but slowly, gradually.
Also in dietary nutrition it is recommended to avoid certain foods consumed every day. This particularly applies to those containing lactose, such as milk. If this is not possible due to food preferences, you should try taking enzyme preparations that promote its breakdown.

An important issue in the treatment of flatulence is its prevention. Here all the advice and recommendations of experts are combined into three main groups. Firstly, you need to increase your physical activity. This can be done by walking, visiting the pool or gym and banal morning exercises.

Secondly, which is important for prevention increased gas formation, this is to ensure proper alternation of sleep (at least 8 hours) and wakefulness. And thirdly, you should pay close attention to your psycho-emotional background. If you have a tendency toward neurasthenia and a predisposition to stress, you may need to consult a psychologist. Only by following all these recommendations is it possible to completely get rid of the delicate pathology that brings physiological and moral discomfort.

Gas in the intestines is normal physiological process in the body of any person. Increased formation of gases (flatulence) is not a sign of any serious pathology in the body, but requires treatment because it causes severe discomfort and indicates the first disturbances in the functioning of the digestive organs (esophagus, stomach, intestines).

Physiology

Flatulence is a widespread phenomenon in which excess gases accumulate in the intestines.

This can be felt by an absolutely healthy person when overeating or eating foods rich in plant fiber. Excessive accumulations of gases in the intestines result from a violation of the relationship between the formation and removal of gases. They enter the intestines from air swallowed by a person into the stomach, gas released from the bloodstream and from the cecum.

Normally, a person produces gases up to 25 times a day. They have no smell. The unpleasant aroma is a consequence of compounds such as indole, skatole, and hydrogen sulfide. They are decay products during the interaction of intestinal microorganisms with undigested food debris that enters the colon from thin.

Gases in the intestine are multiple small bubbles covered with viscous mucus. Their content in large quantities complicates digestion, absorption of nutrients and reduces the activity of enzymes.

Causes

In medicine, there are several types of increased gas formation in the intestines, each of which has its own causes:

nutritional – physiological reasons associated with the ingestion of large amounts of air into the stomach, along with food, as well as the consumption of foods excessively rich in fiber;
Digestive - increased accumulation of gases in the intestines occurs against the background of insufficient levels of enzymes. IN in rare cases the process may occur as a consequence of impaired bile circulation;
dyspiotic - flatulence occurs due to a violation normal ratio beneficial and pathogenic microflora in the intestine;
mechanical - when adhesions, malignant or benign neoplasms form in the large intestine, they make the intestinal lumen narrower, causing problems with normal gas exchange;
dynamic – for serious pathologies (peritonitis, intoxication of the body with feces during acute obstruction, with anomalies in the development of the intestine), the formation and removal of gas from the intestine becomes difficult and slows down;
circulatory – flatulence manifests itself against the background malfunction circulatory system.

The causes of gas in the intestines are also more commonplace, including:

smoking - along with tobacco smoke the smoker, at the level of reflexes, draws in a large amount of air;
poor chewing of food;
drinking large amounts of highly carbonated drinks;
surgical interventions;
stressful situations;
taking strong antibiotics.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of increased gas formation, which causes discomfort, include:

feeling of fullness in the intestines, bloating;
in rare cases, mild pain of a single or constant nature is possible, occurring in the area of the stomach and esophagus, mainly after eating;
acute pain - a strong accumulation of gases in the intestines, stretches its walls, a reflex spasm is formed and, as a result, pain;
rumbling in the stomach - occurs when a large amount of gas is mixed with the liquid part of the intestinal contents;
frequent belching– occurs due to dysphagia (a swallowing disorder in which a person swallows a large volume of air) and the return of gas from the stomach. Belching is a natural physiological process. But if it is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and pain, this may indicate some disorders in the digestive system;
constipation or diarrhea - violations of the act of defecation are always accompanied by increased gas formation;
nausea – rare and not entirely characteristic symptom, which may indicate digestive disorders and, as a result, the content of a large amount of toxins and remaining particles of undigested food in the colon;
feeling of discomfort after eating: heaviness;
splenic flexure syndrome - flatulence occurs due to the rare anatomical structure of the intestine. The left flexure of the colon is located high under the diaphragm and represents an obstacle to the free passage of gases. The syndrome is dangerous due to its symptoms, which are often confused with the manifestation of heart failure, since this intestinal structure causes strong pressure and pain in the chest area.
flatulation - gases escaping through the rectum have a strong, bad smell. Normally, such episodes occur 15 to 20 times a day.

Symptoms of gas in the intestines may occur constantly or periodically after eating certain foods. It is characteristic that discomfort and unpleasant sensations disappear after the passage of gas or defecation.

Signs of flatulence manifest themselves more often and more clearly in the afternoon, when all systems and organs are working at full capacity. Considering that the symptoms of flatulence are not specific, they depend on many factors and are very often combined with more serious intestinal pathologies further treatment depends on the characteristics of the person’s diet and a thorough examination.

Diagnostics

If the patient complains of severe discomfort and frequent pain, the gastroenterologist conducts a general examination to exclude possible existing pathologies or abnormalities in the functioning of the stomach, esophagus and intestines, as well as to determine the causes of flatulence. The following diagnostic methods are used:

coprogram - taking stool for analysis, which allows you to detect a lack of enzymes responsible for the digestive process;
stool analysis for dysbacteriosis - to identify possible violations in the intestinal microflora.
X-ray of the intestines - to identify possible pathologies in the form of mechanical obstacles that interfere with the movement of food, feces and gases in the intestines.
Colonoscopy – is prescribed to examine the colon and identify pathologies of varying degrees.

Features of treatment

How to get rid of gases in the intestines if no diseases or abnormalities have been identified? In this case, the specialist can prescribe an appointment special drugs, and adjusting the diet.

Drug therapy

The following types of medications are prescribed:

Mezim Forte, Pancreatin, Festal are preparations containing digestive enzymes. With their deficiency in the body, food particles are not digested properly, but decompose, causing the formation of a large volume of gases in the intestines for their processing;
Cholenzym, vigetarin - prescribed to improve motor skills;
prebiotics: duphalac, hilak forte - preparations containing alimentary fiber, which provide a breeding ground for native intestinal microflora;
probiotics: linex, bifiform - products with a high content of live strains of microorganisms. They produce beneficial bacteria and populate the intestinal mucosa with them;
prokinetics: motilium, motilak, ganaton - are indicated to stimulate the passage of food bolus through the esophagus. They help reduce the activity of bacteria and their formation of gases;
smecta, polyphepan - absorbents prescribed to absorb excessive amounts of gases;
antispasmodics: no-spa, drotaverine - prescribed to relieve severe pain during prolonged flatulence.

Diet

A balanced and proper diet helps get rid of gases in the intestines - this is part conservative therapy and the best way to prevent increased gas formation in the intestines. The menu should include products that not only provide a complete complex of vitamins and microelements, but also stimulate intestinal motility, reduce fermentation processes and restore its normal microflora.

Basic rules for eating during flatulence:

Frequent meals, but in small portions (200 g) up to 5-6 times a day. This allows the body to quickly break down foods and the intestines to absorb essential microelements and remove remaining dietary fiber, preventing their rotting and fermentation.
Excessively hot and cold foods are best avoided from the diet, as they increase the secretion of gastric juice and contribute to intestinal irritation.
You should not eat foods that are incompatible with each other: salty and sweet foods, foods enriched with coarse plant fiber and milk. This complex increases the load on the digestive tract and provokes increased fermentation.
All dishes are best consumed boiled, stewed, steamed or baked to ensure the most gentle effect on the digestive system.
The salt content in cooked dishes should be limited so as not to provoke irritation of the gastric and intestinal mucosa.
It is necessary to drink a sufficient amount of liquid: 1.5-2 liters per day (at the rate of 25 ml per 1 kg of a person’s net weight drinking water without gas). This also prevents fermentation processes and ensures timely removal of feces from the body.

Prohibited products

Prohibited foods include foods that increase increased gas formation in the small or large intestine:

foods containing a lot of plant fiber: apples, beans, beans, peas, broccoli, radishes, nuts;
drinks and dishes containing large amounts of carbohydrates (lactose, fructose, sorbitol, raffinose). Breaking down into small particles in the body, they provoke rotting of food masses. These include: kvass, beer, highly carbonated flavored drinks, milk, ice cream, etc.;
products containing substances that irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and intestines: essential oils, preservatives, food additives;
vegetables with a high starch content: potatoes, corn, wheat.

A balanced menu for flatulence should first of all consist of dishes that do not stimulate increased gas formation, but normalize stool and gas discharge:

wheat bread, crackers made from wheat flour;
steamed poultry;
low-fat varieties of fish;
fresh herbs;
fermented milk products containing beneficial bifidobacteria;
natural green tea no flavorings;
porridge with water: oatmeal, buckwheat, rice;
scrambled eggs.

Folk remedies

Gases in the intestines - how to get rid of discomfort with natural herbs and medicinal plants?

To relieve discomfort and pain

4 tbsp. l. red rowan berries (can be replaced with 1 tbsp dill seeds), 3 tbsp. l. Mix mint and the same amount of valerian. 1 tbsp. l. herbal mixture pour 1 tbsp. boiling water and leave for at least 60 minutes, tightly covering the container with the infusion with a lid.

The decoction is drunk on an empty stomach, 100 ml 2 times a day, 30 minutes before meals.

The course of treatment for gases in the intestines is 14 days. To relieve discomfort and pain, the decoction can be taken simultaneously.

For severe bloating

1 tbsp. l. dry chamomile, pour 200 ml of just boiled water, close the lid, wrap in something warm and leave for 30 minutes. 100 ml ready-made decoction drink twice 30 minutes before meals. The decoction can be consumed when you feel severe bloating abdomen for prevention purposes at once or drink in a course of 20 days. Every day a new infusion is prepared.

To prevent flatulence

2 cloves of garlic, 1 tbsp. l. Chop salt, a pinch of dill (fresh or dried) and 5 blackcurrant leaves. Pour the resulting mixture into 1 liter of hot boiled water and leave to infuse for 24 hours in a warm place. The finished drink is drunk on an empty stomach every morning, 100 ml.

People of different genders and age groups are faced with a problem in which gases do not leave the intestines. This pathological condition causes severe discomfort and is often accompanied by severe cramps and painful sensations.

Causes of gas formation

Modern medicine considers the following factors as the causes of gas in the intestines:

Products that can provoke fermentation processes. For example, the list of irritating foods can be supplemented with soda, beans and other legumes, grapes, potatoes, baked goods, kvass, and beer. If a person is lactose intolerant, he will experience discomfort when consuming dairy foods.
Dysbacteriosis. When pathogenic microflora begins to prevail over beneficial bacteria, gas formation in the intestines increases.
Insufficient production of digestive enzymes.
Constipation.
Helminthic infestations.
Violation of intestinal motility.
Tumors localized on the intestinal mucosa.
Violation of the process of absorption and neutralization of gases.

Signs of increased gas formation

If gases are poorly removed from the intestines of a child or adult, then accompanying symptoms may appear:

there is a rapid heartbeat;
there is discomfort in the heart area;
CNS disorders are observed;
depression develops;
nausea appears;
Gases begin to be noisily released from the rectum;
due to intestinal bloating, spasms and pain occur;
belching appears;
noises appear in the intestines;
the stomach is swollen;
defecation processes are disrupted, etc.

Very often, gases from the stomach and intestines do not pass well during pregnancy. This pathological condition is caused by physiological and hormonal changes, occurring in the body of every expectant mother.

As a result, feces are eliminated from the body more slowly, thereby provoking the formation putrid smell and stagnation of gases.

How to fix the problem?

To normalize the condition and get rid of excessive accumulation of gases, people must first eliminate the cause of discomfort.

If a patient has difficulty moving a bolus of food through the intestines, doctors prescribe Cerucal tablets.
For prolonged constipation, it is recommended to use medications that have a laxative effect. For these purposes you can also use herbal teas, which are sold in pharmacy chains.
If the cause of excessive gas accumulation is malignant or benign neoplasms, then their removal is carried out surgically.
For dysbiosis, patients are recommended to take a course of probiotics and prebiotics.
To remove gases from the intestines, people of different age groups can use Espumisan tablets. This medication is safe for human body, therefore it is prescribed even to elderly patients, nursing mothers and children.
To remove gases from the intestines, you can use sorbents, which will simultaneously remove accumulated toxic substances from the body. Cleansing is carried out using “Phosphalugel”, “Enterosgel”.
Patients can use medications that contain enzymes. With their help, it will be possible to normalize digestion. For example, Mezima and Pancreatin tablets.
To normalize intestinal motility, experts prescribe Dimethicone and Simethicone tablets to patients.

Other methods

With excessive gas formation, people should adhere to a special diet.

They need to exclude from the menu those foods that can cause discomfort:

berries and fruits that have not undergone heat treatment;
white cabbage;
legumes;
bakery products containing yeast;
baked goods;
tomatoes;
bananas;
milk, etc.

You can also use folk recipes to combat the problem:

1. Dill water. Seeds (1 tbsp) are poured into a deep bowl, which are poured with boiling water (1.5 tbsp). After three hours of infusion, the mixture is filtered, and the water is drunk three times a day before main meals.
2. Nuts. Cedar and walnut kernels. Finely chopped lemon in peel is added to the mixture. Clay purchased at a pharmacy (30g) is added. You can add a small amount of honey to the mixture. You need to take the drug twice a day, 1 tbsp. l. before meals.
3. Salt (black). Salt (250g) is mixed with black bread crumbs, a flat cake is formed, which is baked until dark. After cooling, it is grated. Used instead of regular salt.

Gas formation is a normal physiological process that occurs in the intestine. Only pathological changes and improper diet can lead to advanced education gases causing discomfort. So, let's look at the picture of the normal process of gas formation.

In any person, gases are formed in the gastrointestinal tract due to the swallowing of air, while in the intestines they appear as a result of the activity of many microorganisms. Usually? gases directly from digestive system excreted through belching, eliminated through the rectum, or absorbed into the bloodstream.

It should be noted that approximately 70% of the gases contained in the gastrointestinal tract ( or gastrointestinal tract), this is swallowed air. It has been established that with each swallow, approximately 2 - 3 ml of air enters the stomach, while the main part of it goes into the intestines, while a smaller part comes out through “air belching”. Thus, an increased amount of gas is observed in cases where there are conversations while eating, when eating hastily, when chewing chewing gum or drinking through a straw. In addition, dryness in oral cavity or increased salivation can also cause increased gas formation.

Intestinal gases are a combination of carbon dioxide with oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and a small amount of methane. However, the listed gases have no odor. But still, often “belching air” has an unpleasant odor.
Why? It's all about sulfur-containing substances, which are formed in fairly small quantities by bacteria that inhabit the human large intestine.

And although gas formation is a completely common and normal process, when it increases or the removal mechanisms are disrupted, very unpleasant symptoms appear. Understanding the reasons why bloating occurs helps to identify the best ways to solve this unpleasant condition.

Causes

There are two main sources of increased gas formation: swallowed air and intestinal gases. Let's take a closer look at each of these reasons.

Swallowed air is gases that are formed as a result of the functioning of normal intestinal microflora ( in other words, the colon).

Swallowing air is the main cause of bloating. Of course, everyone swallows a small amount of air when consuming food or liquid.
But there are processes in which excessive swallowing of air occurs:

Hasty intake of food or liquid.
Chewing gum.
Drinking carbonated drinks.
Pulling air through the gaps between teeth.

In these cases, the following picture is observed: the main part of the gases will be removed with belching, while the remaining amount will go into the small intestine, and, therefore, will be partially absorbed into the bloodstream. The part that is not absorbed in the small intestine enters the large intestine and is then excreted.

Let's talk about intestinal gases. And let's start with the fact that, while evolving, humans failed to adapt to the digestion of certain carbohydrates, including lignin and cellulose, pectins and chitin. These substances form the basis of feces formed in the human body. Thus, moving through the stomach and intestines, some of them, when they enter the large intestine, become a “victim” of microorganisms. It is the digestion of carbohydrates by microbes that causes gas formation.

In addition, the intestinal microflora breaks down many other food debris that enter the large intestine ( for example, proteins and fats). Basically, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. In this case, gases are released directly through the rectum ( only a small amount is absorbed directly into the bloodstream).

We should not forget that the individual characteristics of each person play a huge role; for this reason, the same product can have completely different effects on different people: for example, gas formation may increase in some, while in others it does not.

Mechanisms of excessive gas formation

Today, there are several underlying mechanisms for increased gas production, which can lead to flatulence ( bloating associated with increased gas formation in the intestines).

Eating foods that lead to increased gas formation.
Here is a list of such products:

legumes,
mutton,
black bread,
kvass and carbonated drinks,
beer.

Digestive disorders can also cause increased gas formation. This mechanism may include insufficiency of digestive enzymes, as well as all sorts of problems with absorption. Thus, undigested foods bring microorganisms into an active state, and when they break down the food, a large amount of gas is released.

It is impossible not to mention the violation of the bacterial composition ( or biocenosis) intestines, which is a fairly common cause of bloating. Thus, an excess of microorganisms, as well as the predominance of flora, which is not normally contained in the intestines, leads to increased processes of fermentation and putrefaction.

Finally, let's talk about motor skills disorders ( or motor function) intestines. Due to the prolonged residence of breakdown products in the intestines, gas production increases significantly.

This process is observed:

For abnormalities in intestinal development.
After operations on the gastrointestinal tract.
Under the influence of certain medications.

In addition, various mechanical obstacles found in the intestines also lead to the formation and development of flatulence ( we're talking about about tumors, polyps, adhesions). An increase in gas formation can be caused by poor circulation in the intestines, not to mention psychogenic factors.

Types of flatulence

1. Alimentary flatulence, which occurs due to the consumption of foods, during the digestion of which there is an increased release of gases in the intestine.

2. Digestive ( digestive) flatulence is a consequence of violations following processes digestion:

enzyme deficiency,
absorption disorders,
violations normal circulation bile acids.

3. Dysbiotic flatulence, which develops due to a disturbance in the composition of the microflora, which, in turn, leads to the breakdown of products and the release of large amounts of gases that have an unpleasant odor.

4. Mechanical flatulence, which is a consequence of various mechanical disorders of the so-called evacuation function of the gastrointestinal tract.

5. Dynamic flatulence resulting from disturbances in intestinal motor function. An interesting fact is that with this type of gas formation, neither an increased amount of gas nor a changed gas composition is observed, while the transit of gases through the intestines is significantly slowed down.

Causes of dynamic flatulence:

intestinal paresis,
irritable bowel syndrome,
abnormalities in the structure or position of the large intestine,
spasm of smooth muscles due to various nervous disorders and emotional overload.

6. Circulatory flatulence is a consequence of impaired formation and absorption of gases.

7. High-altitude flatulence occurs when the atmospheric pressure. The fact is that in the process of rising to a height, the gases will expand and their pressure will increase.

Conclusion: The factors for increased gas formation in the intestines are very diverse, and often not one mechanism, but several, operates simultaneously.

Foods that cause bloating

Increased gas formation is observed when consuming foods that contain carbohydrates, while fats and proteins have a much lesser effect on this process. Carbohydrates include: raffinose, lactose, as well as fructose and sorbitol.

Raffinose is a carbohydrate found in legumes, in pumpkin, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, as well as asparagus, artichokes and many other vegetables.

Lactose is a natural disaccharide that is present in milk and components containing it: ice cream, bread, breakfast cereals, salad dressings, milk powder.

Fructose is a carbohydrate found in many fruits and vegetables. In addition, it is used in the production of soft drinks and juices. Fructose is used widely and as an excipient in various medications.

Sorbitol is a carbohydrate found in vegetable and fruit crops. It is widely used to sweeten all kinds of sugar-free dietary products.

Starch, which is contained in most foods consumed by the Slavs, also provokes gas formation ( potatoes, corn, peas and wheat). The only product that does not lead to bloating and increased gas formation is rice.

Let's talk about dietary fiber, which is present in almost all products. These fibers can be soluble or insoluble. Thus, soluble dietary fiber ( or pectins) swell in water, forming a gel-like mass. Such fibers are found in oats and beans, peas and many fruits. They enter the large intestine unchanged, where the breakdown process produces gas. In turn, insoluble fibers travel through the gastrointestinal tract practically unchanged, and therefore do not entail significant gas formation.

Manifestation options

Clinical manifestations of gas formation:

bloating and rumbling in the abdominal cavity,
frequent belching,
unpleasant smell of emitted gases,
development of a kind of psychoneurosis,
burning feeling in the heart,
cardiopalmus,
interruptions in heart rate,
mood disorders,
general malaise.

It should be noted that severe symptoms do not always depend on the volume of “excess gases”. Thus, in many people, when gas is introduced into the intestines ( one liter per hour) there is a minimum number of these symptoms. At the same time, people who have any intestinal diseases often cannot tolerate much lower gas levels at all. Thus, we can conclude that the clinical picture of gas formation is due, firstly, to the biochemical component ( namely, improper organization of the processes of gas formation and removal), secondly, increased intestinal sensitivity, which is associated with functional disorders contractile activity.

According to clinical observations, increased gas formation may occur due to emotional disorders. Most often, this kind of flatulence is diagnosed in patients who are passive by nature, are not capable of confrontation, do not have sufficient persistence in achieving their goals, and, therefore, have certain difficulties in containing anger and discontent. Such patients may develop an avoidant type of behavior, leading to conflicts at home and at work.

Today, there are two main types of manifestations of flatulence. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Option one
Main signs of gas formation:

a feeling of overfilling of the stomach and its significant increase due to bloating,
inability to pass gas due to spastic dyskinesia.

Relief general condition the patient most often occurs after defecation or the passage of gas, while the symptoms are most pronounced in the afternoon, when the activity of the digestive processes reaches its apogee.

One type of this type of gas formation is local flatulence, in which gases are concentrated in a certain area of the intestine. Its symptoms, combined with certain types of pain, can provoke the development of characteristic clinical pictures inherent in the following syndromes: splenic flexure, as well as hepatic angle and cecum. Let's talk about each of the syndromes.

Splenic flexure syndrome
This syndrome is more common than others, and its formation requires certain anatomical prerequisites: for example, the left bend of the colon should be high under the diaphragm, fixed by peritoneal folds and forming an acute angle. It is this corner that can act as a trap designed for the accumulation of gas and chyme ( liquid or semi-liquid contents of the stomach or intestines).

Reasons for the development of the syndrome:

poor posture,
wearing clothes that are too tight.

This syndrome is dangerous because when gas is retained, leading to bloating, the patient feels not only overfilling, but also quite strong pressure in the left side of the chest. In this case, patients associate similar symptoms with angina pectoris. The disease can be correctly diagnosed based on data obtained during a physical examination. In addition, with increased gas formation, pain goes away after defecation, as well as after the passage of gas. Helps with diagnosis and X-ray examination, during which an accumulation of gases is noted in the area of the left flexure of the intestine. The main thing is not to self-medicate.

Hepatic angle syndrome
This syndrome appears when gas accumulates in the hepatic flexure of the intestine. Thus, the intestine becomes pinched between the patient’s liver and the diaphragm. It must be said that clinical picture hepatic angle syndrome is similar to pathology biliary tract. Patients often complain of a feeling of fullness or pressure observed in the right hypochondrium, and the pain spreads after some time to the epigastric region, in chest, in the right hypochondrium, radiating to the shoulder and back area.

Cecal syndrome
This syndrome is typical for patients who have increased mobility of the cecum.

Symptoms:

feeling of fullness,
pain in the right iliac region.

In some cases, massage in the area of the projection of the cecum leads to the release of gases, causing relief; for this reason, some patients massage the abdomen on their own.

Option two
This option is characterized by the following characteristics:

constant violent passage of gases,
presence of odor,
mild pain syndrome,
rumbling and transfusion in the abdomen, which is heard by both the patient himself and the people around him.

General gas formation occurs during the accumulation of gases directly in small intestine, while lateral – with the accumulation of gases already in the large intestine. It should be noted that bowel sounds in this case, they can be both strengthened and weakened, or they may be completely absent ( it all depends on the causes of bloating). During palpation ( when examining a patient using fingers) palpable cecum may indicate localization pathological process; in this case, the collapsed cecum indicates small intestinal ileus ( narrowing or closure of the intestinal lumen, causing intestinal obstruction).

Increased gas formation is diagnosed by performing a plain X-ray of the abdominal cavity.

Signs:

high degree of pneumatization ( the presence of air-filled cavities) not only the stomach, but also the colon,
the diaphragm is located quite high, especially the left dome.

The amount of gases is measured using plethysmography, a method that involves injecting argon into the intestines.

Since the symptom of excessive gas formation is quite nonspecific and can be combined with various functional and organic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, a thorough examination of the medical history and competent identification of dietary features are extremely important for approving a program of further examination and treatment. Young patients who do not have complaints about other diseases and do not lose weight do not have to worry about serious organic abnormalities. Elderly people whose symptoms are progressive in nature should undergo a thorough examination in order to exclude oncological pathologies and many other diseases.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of increased gas formation include:

belching,
increased gas evolution ( flatulence),
bloating ( flatulence), accompanied by rumbling and intestinal colic,
stomach ache.

But with high gas formation, not everyone exhibits such signs. Everything depends, first of all, on the number of gases formed, as well as the amount of fatty acids absorbed from the intestines. An important role is played by the individual sensitivity of the colon to increased gas formation. In cases where bloating occurs very often, and the symptoms are pronounced, you must immediately consult a doctor to rule out serious disorders and diagnose the disease in a timely manner.

Belching
Belching during or after eating food is not an unusual process, since it helps to remove excess air that has entered the stomach. Very frequent belching is an indication that a person has swallowed too much air, which is removed even before it enters the stomach. But frequent belching can also signal that a person has diseases such as stomach and intestinal disorders, peptic ulcer, as well as gastroesophageal reflux and gastritis. An interesting fact is that people suffering from the listed diseases, on a subconscious level, hope that swallowing and, accordingly, belching air can alleviate their condition. This erroneous state of affairs leads to the development of an unconditioned reflex, which consists in the fact that during the intensification of unpleasant symptoms, a person swallows and regurgitates air. Most often, the manipulation performed does not bring relief, which means that pain and discomfort continue.

Frequent belching may be a symptom Meganblais syndrome, occurring mainly in older people. This syndrome is caused by swallowing a large volume of air during a meal, which entails overdistension of the stomach and a change in the position of the heart.
Result: limited mobility of the diaphragm, leading to the development of an attack of angina.

In some cases, the cause of increased gas formation and bloating of the stomach may be postoperative treatment gastroesophageal reflux. The fact is that surgeons, in the process of eliminating the underlying disease, create a kind of one-way valve that allows food to pass exclusively in one direction, that is, from the esophagus directly to the stomach. As a result, the processes of normal belching, as well as vomiting, are disrupted.

Flatulence
Increased off-gassing is another sign of excessive gas formation. According to the norm, a healthy person releases gas about 14 - 23 times per day. With more frequent excretion of gases, we can talk about serious disorders associated with the absorption of carbohydrates, or the development of dysbiosis.

Flatulence
There is a misconception that bloating is caused by excess gas formation. At the same time, many people, even with a normal amount of gas, may experience bloating. This is due to improper removal of gases from the intestines.

So, the cause of bloating is most often a violation motor activity intestines. For example, with SRTC ( irritable bowel syndrome) the feeling of bloating is due to the increased sensitivity of the receptor apparatus of the intestinal walls.

In addition, any disease that results in impaired movement of feces through the intestines leads not only to bloating, but often to the appearance of pain in a stomach. The cause of bloating may be previous abdominal surgeries, the development of adhesions, or internal hernias.

It is impossible not to say about overuse fatty foods, which can also cause an uncomfortable feeling of bloating, and this is due to the slow movement of food from the stomach directly into the intestines.

Abdominal pain
Sometimes bloating is accompanied by colic, characterized by the appearance of acute and cramping pain in the abdominal area. Moreover, when gas accumulates in the left part of the intestine, the pain can be mistaken for heart attack. When gas accumulates on the right side, the pain simulates an attack of biliary colic or appendicitis.

Which doctor should I contact if I have gas?

If there is a problem with gas formation, please contact Gastroenterologist (make an appointment), since it is within the scope of his professional competence that the diagnosis and treatment of the causes of this unpleasant symptom. If for some reason it is impossible to get to a gastroenterologist, then in case of gas formation you should contact general practitioner (make an appointment).

Diagnostics

Bloating, and therefore increased gas formation, can be caused by many serious illnesses, to exclude which it is carried out comprehensive examination. First, the attending physician determines the patient’s diet and the main symptoms that cause discomfort. In certain cases, the doctor prescribes a study of the patient’s daily diet for a specific period of time. The patient must keep a special diary, entering data regarding his daily diet.

If lactase deficiency is suspected, all products containing lactose should be excluded from the diet. In addition, lactose tolerance tests are prescribed. If the cause of bloating is a violation of gas elimination, then in the diary the patient indicates, in addition to the diet, information about the time and daily frequency of gas elimination through the rectum.

The most careful study of nutritional characteristics, as well as the frequency of flatulations ( gas emissions) will help you identify foods that cause bloating.

Patients with chronic bloating should exclude ascites ( or fluid accumulation), not to mention complete cure inflammatory diseases intestines. Patients over 50 years of age must undergo a gastrointestinal examination to rule out diseases such as colon cancer. For this purpose, an endoscopic examination is performed, prescribed for people suffering from unmotivated ( causeless) weight loss, diarrhea.

If chronic belching occurs, your doctor may order an endoscopic examination of both the esophagus and stomach. In addition, an X-ray contrast study may be prescribed.

What tests can a doctor prescribe for gas formation?

As a rule, the problem of gas formation does not present any difficulties in diagnosis, since it is associated with clear and unambiguous symptoms. However, to understand normal amount gases in a person's intestines cause discomfort or there are a lot of gases, the doctor may prescribe a plain X-ray of the abdominal cavity or plethysmography. Both methods make it possible to understand whether there is a lot of gas in the intestines or whether there is a normal amount of them, and painful symptoms are caused by increased sensitivity of the mucous membrane, mental factors etc. In practice and overview X-ray of the abdominal cavity (make an appointment), and plethysmography are rarely prescribed and used.

Treatment

Let's consider options for getting rid of gas formation. And let's start with the fact that the most common causes of gas formation are poor diet and overeating.

In this case it is necessary:

Eliminate from the diet foods that cause gas formation: legumes, cabbage and apples, pears and White bread, as well as sparkling water and beer.
Avoid simultaneous consumption of protein and starch foods. So, avoid the meat and potatoes combination.
Avoid eating exotic foods that your stomach is not used to. If you are not ready to completely switch to a traditional diet, then you should limit your consumption original dishes, not inherent in Russian and European cuisine.
Do not overload your stomach with food ( in other words, don't overeat). Eat smaller portions of food, but do it more often.

Sometimes increased gas formation is observed after consuming various dairy products, which may indicate lactose intolerance. In this case, the only way out is to eliminate dairy products.

Also, the problem of gas formation occurs due to swallowing air when eating. So remember: " When I eat I am deaf and dumb" Take your time and chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.

Smoking and alcohol can lead to increased gas production, so avoid these bad habits, which provoke this delicate problem. To reduce the amount of air you swallow, you should reduce your use of chewing gum.

Pharmacological drugs

If we talk about the treatment of increased gas formation with the help of pharmacological drugs, then their use must be agreed with the attending physician, since their effectiveness depends, first of all, on the cause leading to the formation of gases.

For increased gas formation and bloating, it is most often prescribed the following drugs: simethicone and activated carbon, espumizan, and dicetel and various enzyme preparations.
It is necessary to take into account the fact that simethicone will not have the expected effect with increased gas formation occurring in the colon. In this case, espumisan or activated carbon is recommended.

For gastroesophageal reflux and irritable bowel syndrome, doctors prescribe: metoclopramide (Cerucal and Reglan), cisapride (Propulsid) and Dicetel.

Traditional treatment

Residents of the eastern regions of India after each meal chew a few pinches of flavored seeds of cumin, fennel, and anise, which helps eliminate gas formation. For the same purpose, a decoction of licorice root is brewed: so, 1 teaspoon of the root is poured into a glass of water and boiled over low heat for 10 minutes.

Mint decoction
Mint is a carminative that prevents the increased formation of gases, any type of mint. The recipe for this decoction is simple: 1 teaspoon of mint is poured into one glass of boiling water, then simmered over low heat for no more than 5 minutes.

Slippery elm
This plant is rightfully considered effective medicine, helping to eliminate serious cases of gas formation. This plant is most often taken in powder form, and the powder is washed down warm water or tea. The decoction recipe has a normal taste, but has the appearance of a viscous mixture, which is why many people refuse to take the unsightly looking mixture. Slippery elm is a mild laxative that makes stools slippery. To make a decoction of slippery elm, boil one glass of water and add half a teaspoon of elm bark, ground to a powder. Boil the mixture over low heat for about 20 minutes. It is necessary to take the strained mixture three times a day, one glass.

Yellow fluorspar
This stone has a huge number of beautiful shades and different shapes. Spar has an extremely positive effect on nervous system, while the yellow stone has an excellent effect on digestion. So, if problems with increased gas formation were to some extent caused by nervous tension, then it is enough to place yellow fluorspar, shaped like an octagon, on the painful part of the body, lie down and breathe deeply for five minutes. You will feel much better.

Prevention

As you know, it is easier to prevent the occurrence of a disease than to treat it. Here are some preventive measures that will help you forget about the problem of increased gas formation.

Diet
Adjust your diet by eliminating foods that cause fermentation or gas production.
These products include:
Constant lack of sleep, untimely eating, smoking and stress are the main reasons that cause intestinal dysfunction, which, in turn, leads to increased gas formation. For this reason, you should adhere to a certain daily routine, that is, sleep at least eight hours a day, eat properly and in a timely manner, limit the amount of alcohol, and walk in the fresh air.

Nutritional culture deserves special attention: for example, you need to chew food thoroughly, excluding conversations while eating, which provoke increased swallowing of air, leading to gas formation.

Replacement therapy
Excessive gas formation may occur due to enzyme deficiency or due to impaired bile circulation. In these cases, replacement therapy is required, involving the use of choleretic and enzyme drugs.

Bloating is a common ailment associated with indigestion, as a result of which gas begins to accumulate in the intestines. In itself, this phenomenon is not dangerous: in isolated cases, the problem is resolved without medical intervention and the person happily forgets about the recent discomfort.

If the condition becomes chronic, and accompanying symptoms in the form of bursting heaviness, pain, vomiting, heartburn or belching interfere full life, you need to contact a gastroenterologist. Often, the accumulation of gases in the intestines is associated with pathological changes in the digestive tract.

Studies have shown that the average person produces 0.6–1.8 liters of intestinal gas per day. It enters the body from two sources: when swallowing air (exogenous) and produced by intestinal bacteria (endogenous). It consists of varying amounts of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. The first three come from swallowed air, and the last are by-products breakdown of food residues of probiotic bacteria inhabiting the large intestine.

Careful analysis of the gas emitted by humans has shown that it consists mainly of exogenous air and only a small amount of endogenous air, so most often it does not smell. However, gut bacteria produce several sulfur-containing compounds that may be the primary culprits of malodor. The human nose detects hydrogen sulfide and ammonia even in microscopic concentrations. Therefore, bloating and the inability to control the passage of foul-smelling “air” may have certain social consequences.

Causes of gases

The development of flatulence is provoked by various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and enzyme deficiency. Such disorders lead to the fact that food is poorly digested, enters the intestines in an undissolved form, decomposes in it, forming a lot of gas. In addition, bloating is often a consequence of swallowing large amounts of air, smoking, eating foods with increased content fiber.

Products that cause increased gas formation

Increased gas formation, manifested by belching or flatulence, may indicate the following pathological conditions:

autoimmune pancreatitis;
celiac disease;
Crohn's disease;
ulcerative colitis;
diabetes;
irritable bowel syndrome;
disorders eating behavior;
gastroparesis;
lactose intolerance;
dysbacteriosis;
endometriosis and C-section among women;
peptic ulcer;
intestinal obstruction;
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Other causes of belly bloating include:

helminthiasis in children or adults;
mental disorders, stress;
taking medications;
systematic overeating;
pregnancy for later;
abnormalities of intestinal development;
postoperative period.

Accurate diagnosis

Determining the cause of flatulence is based on the symptoms and course of the disease, the specifics of which the doctor clarifies during an oral conversation with the patient. Subsequently, a physical examination is carried out - examination, palpation and percussion of the abdomen, as well as a number of laboratory and instrumental tests:

General and biochemical blood test.
Bacteriological examination to determine lacto- and intestinal microflora.
Coprogram of feces.
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
Colonoscopy or fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy.
X-ray of the examined organ.

After a thorough examination and identification of the reason why gases are constantly formed, the doctor will determine the method of therapy and adjust the patient’s diet.

How to get rid of gases in the intestines

Treatment of flatulence is always comprehensive, aimed at improving general well-being patient, eliminating signs of bloating and cramps in the stomach and intestines. Therapy includes the following activities:

Correction and adherence to a gentle diet.
Removal of excess gases from the lumen of the colon.
Normalization of peristalsis.
Restoration of microflora.
Elimination of provoking pathologies.

Medicines

It is impossible to remove gases in the intestines with medications alone. However, taking pharmaceuticals can significantly alleviate the patient’s condition and reduce the intensity of discomfort. The most prescribed remedies for flatulence are:

Probiotics, which contain live strains of microorganisms. They produce “friendly” bacteria and inhibit pathogens, thereby restoring the intestinal flora. The most known medicines This group includes Bifiform, Linex, Simbiter.
Prebiotics contain dietary fiber necessary to maintain the vital activity of native microflora. They help with diarrhea and poisoning, when the stomach is seething or feels heavy. Represented by the following list: Hilak-Forte, Lysozyme, Duphalac.
Prokinetics are recommended to stimulate the passage of food through the esophagus. Such means are Motilium, Ganaton, Motilak.
Sorbents designed to remove toxins, gases, and allergens from the intestines. They are also used for slagging in the body. Representatives of this group of medications are Smecta, Enterosgel, Phosphalugel, activated carbon.
Enzymes are aimed at restoring the digestive tract. The most popular drugs are Pancreatin, Festal, Mezim.
Defoamers are intended for quick removal symptoms of flatulence, since they normalize intestinal motility and promote the absorption of gas bubbles by its walls. These medications include Espumisan, Simethicone, Maalox, Pepsan.
Laxatives are prescribed for bloating with constipation to improve motility. Most often, the patient is recommended Normaze, Duphalac, Fitolax, Bisacodyl or glycerin suppositories.
Antispasmodics are intended to relieve severe pain with flatulence. As a rule, these are No-Shpa, Drotaverine, Spazmalgon.

Folk remedies

Alternative Methods treatments are no less effective in combating gas pollution. Unlike pharmaceuticals, they are more harmless and are always at hand, so they are simply irreplaceable at home.

Chamomile decoction:

1 tbsp. l. dry herbs, pour 200 ml of boiling water and simmer for 10 minutes.
Leave for half an hour covered in a warm place.
Take orally twice a day (morning and evening) 30 minutes before meals, 100 ml at a time.
The course of treatment is 3 weeks.

Herbal infusion:

Mix dry raw materials of St. John's wort, yarrow and marsh dried grass (20 g each).
Take 3 tbsp. l. and pour 1 liter of boiling water.
Leave for 2 hours, then filter.
Drink ½ tbsp. 5 times a day.

Anise seed decoction:

Pour 20 g of dry raw material into 1 liter of water.
Boil and leave until completely cooled.
After filtering, take ½ tbsp. three times a day.

Diet

Balanced diet– an important component complex therapy with flatulence. First of all, it is necessary to exclude from the menu foods that cause excess gas:

Beans and lentils.
Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
Bran.
Dairy products containing lactose.
Fructose, which is present in sweet fruits and is used as a sweetener in soft drinks and other foods.
Sorbitol, a sugar substitute found in some candies and artificial sweeteners.
Carbonated drinks.
Alcohol.

Dishes allowed for consumption normalize stools and help eliminate intestinal gases. The menu should include:

Dairy products.
Porridges cooked in water (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal).
Low-fat varieties fish and meat (rabbit, turkey, chicken) stewed or baked.
Boiled vegetables.
Wheat bread and crackers.
Natural Herb tea and clean water.

If gases do not pass

When a patient needs urgent help, a rectal tube may be helpful. However, it can be used only in rare cases, if gases do not spontaneously pass away. In such a situation, you can also use herbal preparations and homeopathy remedies - dill water, fennel tea, since they are harmless even for a child.

Gases in pregnant women

Approximately 70% of women during gestation face the problem of flatulence and bloating, which is associated with a number of reasons: hormonal and enzyme imbalances, lack of physical activity, exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal pathologies and, of course, mechanical compression of the intestines.

Drug therapy during this period is undesirable, so you need to get rid of the problem in other ways:

Strict compliance power mode.
Moderate exercise stress(hiking, yoga, swimming, water aerobics).
Taking approved medications (Espumizan, Iberogast) and traditional medicine (mint, valerian, fennel).

Prevention of flatulence

To avoid digestive tract disorders, accompanied by constipation, diarrhea and increased gas formation in the intestines, it is necessary to pay attention Special attention proper nutrition And active image life.

First of all, you need to give up snacking.
The food consumed must be balanced and contain useful micronutrients.
Consume in sufficient quantity clean water(at least 1.5 liters per day).
Eliminate gas-forming foods and liquids from your diet.
Quit smoking and alcohol.
Switch to fractional meals (eat often, but little by little).

Exercises

Abdominal muscle training can also help with bloating. This type of load will allow excess gas to leave the intestines, reduce pain and bloating.