Gas formation in the intestine: causes

Gas formation is a natural physiological process in the body. Increased gas production is accompanied by pain and discomfort in the abdomen. It can occur due to temporary dysfunction or signal a serious illness.

Development mechanism

Normally, there is about 1 liter of gases in the digestive tract. Most of it is swallowed air. It enters the stomach with each sip, approximately 2-3 ml. The rest of the gas is released due to the interaction of hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes. If the body does not work properly, its amount can increase to 3 liters.

In the process of vital activity of organs and systems, part of the resulting gas is excreted by belching. The rest goes to the small intestine and enters the bloodstream. What is not absorbed is excreted through the rectum. Gas removal occurs up to 20 times a day. The excess blocks the intestinal lumen, disrupts the process of digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Intestinal gas contains:

• hydrogen sulfide;
• oxygen;
• ammonia;
• methane;
• carbon dioxide;
• nitrogen.

Flatulence is an arbitrary or involuntary process of gas evacuation. The act is accompanied by a characteristic sound of varying volume and an unpleasant smell. Hydrogen sulfide gives a specific odor to intestinal gases. It is formed as a result of the action of microflora on undigested food debris.

Causes

The accumulation of gas can be observed in a pregnant woman in the last trimester. Promotes flatulence, impaired absorption in the intestine with PMS and menopause. Excessive gas formation can be a consequence of the physiological characteristics of the body:

• swallowing air with a fast meal;
• smoking while eating;
• breathing through the mouth with a runny nose;
• not fitted dentures;
• stress.

Improper nutrition

Flatulence depends not only on the use of certain products, but also on their incorrect combination. Especially after a festive feast, where all products are eaten in a row along with alcoholic beverages.

With frequent and abundant meals, the stomach is overloaded, the enzymatic capacity of the body decreases. The food received does not have time to be processed, a fermentation process occurs with the release of a huge amount of gases.

And also the reason may be a violation of the diet, a decrease in intestinal motility, as a result of a person's low motor activity, and a deterioration in excretory function.

Diseases

The following conditions and diseases can provoke the development of flatulence:

• fermentopathy;
• imbalance of intestinal flora, an increase in the rate of gas-forming bacteria;
• condition after abdominal surgery;
• tumors, polyps, adhesions;
• diseases of the digestive tract;
• the presence of helminths;
• irritable bowel syndrome;
• side effects of drugs.

Bloating can be neurogenic. The nerve endings of the intestine react in a certain way to stress and depression. Constipation or diarrhea occurs.

Types and symptoms of gas formation

Flatulence can be acute or chronic. The acute form is a consequence of mechanical obstruction or peritonitis. The chronic course occurs due to aerophagia, malnutrition, stress. Depending on the causes of occurrence, increased gas production is divided into several types.

1. Alimentary food is triggered by the use of foods containing coarse dietary fiber.
2. Mechanical is associated with damage to the digestive system.
3. Digestive is caused by a disturbance in the digestive process.
4. Psychogenic occurs with stress and mental disorders.
5. Dysbiotic is the result of an imbalance in microorganisms.
6. Dynamic is caused by developmental abnormalities or the occurrence of acute intestinal obstruction.
7. Circulatory is caused by impaired blood circulation - high blood pressure, ischemia, congestion in the large intestine.
8. High-altitude develops with pressure drops.

Flatulence is not a separate disease. This is a sign of any pathology or violation of the rules of nutrition. In this case, the following symptoms arise:

• bloating immediately after eating a small amount of food;
• visual enlargement of the abdomen, a feeling of fullness;
• frequent belching, nausea;
• rumbling and pain in the abdomen during the movement of gas through the intestines;
• the gases have a putrid odor;
• constipation gives way to diarrhea;

An unpleasant odor during flatulence for a long period indicates a violation of the digestive process. In a number of diseases, gases cannot leave the intestines in a timely manner, they wander through the body, causing discomfort and pain. If the fecal masses have voids, and their exit is accompanied by gases, the cause must be sought in disruption of the pancreas. With inflammation of the large intestine, the frequency of air release increases sharply. In case of untimely discharge, bad breath appears.

Bloating with pain in the right upper side indicates a disease of the gallbladder or adrenal gland. With ulcers and gastritis, pain and bloating are concentrated in the middle upper abdomen. Soreness on the right and left below appears with pathologies of the intestines and genitals. Wandering pain with a change in character indicates problems with the lower intestine and irregular bowel movements. In addition, there may be signs of general malaise, weakness, drowsiness, headaches.

Diagnostics

If bloating occurs constantly, you need to see a therapist or gastroenterologist. The patient's history, lifestyle, habits, diet are important.

The doctor palpates the abdomen. It is necessary to exclude acute surgical pathology. Additionally you will need:

• general and biochemical analysis of blood, urine;
• feces for coprogram;
• bacterial sowing for microflora;
• X-ray of the gastrointestinal tract with contrast;
• Abdominal ultrasound;
• esophagogastroduodenoscopy;
• colonoscopy.

Research can detect or exclude inflammatory diseases, the presence of a tumor. When the cause that caused the symptom is known, additional examination and consultation with a psychiatrist, infectious disease specialist, pulmonologist or cardiologist may be required.

How to help the body

To get rid of bloating, you need to know the reason for its appearance. If this is the wrong power supply, a menu correction is required. When the cause is related to disease, medications are used. As a supplement, use the advice of traditional medicine, special exercises.

Drugs

Complex treatment, first of all, is aimed at the underlying disease. To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, the following groups of drugs are prescribed:

• In case of poisoning, intestinal infections, the presence of worms, sorbents are prescribed. These funds - Smecta, activated carbon, Enterosgel, absorb and remove toxins.
• Antifoaming agents such as Espumisan, Simethicone destroy the accumulation of foam. The released gas is absorbed by the intestinal walls or exits the body.
• The drugs Pancreatin, Festal, Panzinorm are shown to the patient with a lack of enzymes.
• To restore useful microflora, agents containing bifidobacteria are prescribed - Bifiform, Lactuvit.

For gases with constipation, a laxative is prescribed - Duphalac, Normase. To relieve pain, antispasmodics such as Papaverine, No-shpa are suitable. If intestinal parasites are detected, treatment is carried out with special medications.

Folk remedies

In the treatment of diseases accompanied by intestinal bloating, medicinal plants such as peppermint, cumin, licorice root, and fennel seeds are used.

The simplest and most affordable remedy for flatulence is dill water. Seeds, 1st tbsp. pour a spoonful of boiling water, insist 6 hours, drink in three doses during the day. Carrots can be used in the same way.

Parsley seeds, 20 g, pour 200 ml of water, incubate in a water bath for 15 minutes, insist until cooled. Use throughout the day, divided into five receptions.

For a mint broth, you can use regular mint or lemon balm. A teaspoon of raw materials is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for half an hour. It is a carminative, prevents the accumulation of gases, relieves colic and cramps.

A decoction of rusty elm has a laxative effect. Take 1 tsp for one glass of boiling water. a spoonful of chopped bark. The mixture is kept in a water bath for 15 minutes, insisted for 45. Drink a glass three times a day.

Consuming garlic for two weeks eliminates flatulence. It has a detrimental effect on microbes that cause fermentation, improves digestion. Prepare a decoction of 4 cloves of garlic and a glass of water. Boil for five minutes, drink chilled.

Exercises

If the bloating is not associated with a serious illness, physical activity is needed. This is walking in the fresh air, yoga, gymnastics, self-massage. To strengthen your abdominal muscles, it is helpful to do the following exercises:

1. In the prone position, the legs are bent at the knees, the feet are on the floor, hands behind the head. Raising the upper body, perform 15 times.
2. The same position, alternately pull your knees to your chest, wrapping your arms around them.
3. Standing on all fours, inhale and bend, tilt your head back. On exhalation, lower your head and arch your back.
4. Kneeling, put one leg forward, put a friend back, while bending your back. Hold in this position for 10 seconds, then repeat in the other direction.
5. For the press, lie down straight, keep your legs on the floor, rise, hands behind your head, return to the starting position.

In addition to gymnastics, you can do self-massage. Lying on your back, carry out circular movements with your hands in the navel, clockwise. Alternating up and down movements towards each other. Movement with the base of the palm from the sides towards the groin, right and left.

Diet

Gas formation is enhanced by many foods. If this is the problem, exclude from the menu:

• raw vegetables with coarse fiber - cabbage, radishes, mushrooms;
• legumes;
• fat milk, cream (with lactose intolerance);
• millet, pearl barley;
• pork, lamb, goose;
• chocolate, cakes, cookies, ice cream;
• apples, kiwi, dates, grapes, pears, gooseberries;
• fresh pastries and black bread;
• carbonated drinks.

It is necessary to exclude fried, spicy, smoked dishes, fast food. Do not drink food with sugary drinks.

When the unpleasant symptoms subside, the menu can be gradually expanded. But you should not get too carried away with prohibited products. More benefits will come from:

• buckwheat or rice porridge;
• dietary meat;
• hard cheeses;
• citrus fruits, bananas;
• baked vegetables and fruits;
• coarse bread;
• dairy products.

You need to follow the rules of nutrition. Eat 5-6 times a day in small portions, chew food thoroughly. Do not talk during the meal. You can drink half an hour after eating. Last meal no later than 3 hours before bedtime. Steam, boil or bake dishes.

Prophylaxis

To prevent flatulence, it is important to timely treat chronic diseases of the digestive system, followed by the restoration of beneficial microflora.

To forget about flatulence, you need to adjust your diet, eliminate bad habits, and increase physical activity. With a pathological condition, long-term treatment will be required. It is necessary to strictly follow all the doctor's prescriptions.