Causes and treatment of severe gas formation in the abdomen

Bloating and gas are very common in people of all ages. A disorder of this kind may indicate the presence of a certain disease of the gastrointestinal tract, and also act as a response of the body to the consumption of low-quality food and products that cause gas formation. In this article we will talk in detail about what bloating and gas formation are, what their causes are and how to get rid of such an unpleasant problem.

The presence of gases in the intestines is considered a physiological norm. During food consumption, air enters the gastrointestinal tract along with the ingested food. During the digestion of food and the neutralization of gastric juice by bicarbonates of the digestive tract, a certain amount of gases is also formed. And only a small amount of gases is transferred to the intestines through the blood, the rest comes out.

The main volume of gas occurs in the stomach and flexures of the colon. Its smallest amount is found in the sigmoid and colon, as well as in the small intestine. The amount of gases formed depends on the intestinal microflora, lifestyle, nutrition, age of the person, climatic conditions and on possible diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The gas accumulated in the digestive organs is a foam, which consists of bubbles covered with viscous mucus. The accumulation of gases prevents proper digestion, breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients; Gases also reduce enzymatic activity.

Intestinal structure

The intestine is the part of the digestive system that starts from the pylorus of the stomach and ends at the anus. The intestine is in turn divided into the large and small intestine.

The small intestine performs the function of digestion. Its length reaches 170-430 cm, and its diameter is 30-50 mm. This section of the intestine includes 3 parts - the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The inner cover is lined with villi that perform the function of suction. Between the villi are special cells that secrete intestinal juice, mucus and intestinal hormones. The ducts of the gallbladder and pancreas exit into the lumen of the small intestine. The secretion they secrete promotes the breakdown of useful substances.

In the large intestine, water is absorbed and feces are formed. The large intestine includes the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum. The large intestine lacks villi, but has folds called crypts. Their cells also secrete mucus. Lymphoid cells present in the walls of the colon create immune protection for the intestines and the entire body as a whole.

Methods of disposal

With constant farting, the reasons are found out first. This determines whether medications will be used.

It is especially important to conduct an examination if a child is sick. If you are constantly haunted by farting, you can do the following:

• adjust your diet (exclude foods that increase gas formation; make a salad with the addition of parsley, coriander, dill; you can’t always eat egg yolk);
• even if you really want to eat, you should periodically arrange fasting days (if the digestive organs are completely healthy);

• Frequent farting can be stopped with the help of special exercises: massaging the abdomen clockwise, tensing and relaxing the abdominal muscles, retracting and relaxing the spicter muscles;
• After eating, you are allowed to chew anise seeds and drink half a glass of mint, dill or fennel tea.

If a person has to fart more than once in public, and the gases appear with an odor that irritates not only the sense of smell, but also the nerves, this puts him in a very awkward position. Naturally, the problem needs to be solved. If there is severe gas formation in the stomach and farting, it is already clear what to do; you should not let everything take its course.

Causes of bloating

Flatulence can be caused by many factors. The accumulation of gases occurs due to intense gas formation and untimely removal of them outside.

Gas accumulates in the intestines for the following reasons:

• eating foods that cause gas. These include carbonated drinks, foods high in starch (potatoes), flour (including rye bread), beans, and cabbage. Bloating is caused by berries and fruits that increase fermentation in the intestines - grapes, cherries, apples;
• individual lactose intolerance. This occurs due to a lack of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down milk sugar, so consumption of milk and dairy products provokes bloating, gas formation, and diarrhea;
• Excessive gas formation can occur in women in the last months of pregnancy. The uterus, increased in size, compresses the intestines, weakening its tone and peristalsis, as well as the movement of digested food before birth;
• aerophagia - swallowing a large amount of air when quickly eating and swallowing large pieces of food.

In addition to the above reasons for gas formation, there are also pathological ones:

• dysbiosis – an imbalance of beneficial and harmful bacteria, leading to digestive disorders;
• intestinal obstruction - stagnation of food masses in the intestines due to the formation of adhesions, stenoses and tumor formations in the intestines, leading to the accumulation of gases;
• digestive disorders due to lack of enzymes, impaired absorption and circulation of bile;
• in children - introducing complementary foods or switching to artificial formulas;
• inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract: pancreatitis, colitis, cholecystitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, Crohn's disease;
• intestinal infections - salmonellosis, helminthiasis, parasites that cause intoxication and impaired intestinal motor function;
• poor circulation in the digestive organs;
• Nervous and mental disorders, neurosis, frequent stress can lead to flatulence and bloating. Overexcitation of the nervous system leads to spasms of the smooth muscles of the intestines, disrupting peristalsis.

Causes of gas and farting

The accumulation of gases in the body occurs for various reasons:

1. Conversation while eating. In this case, excess air is swallowed, which is not absorbed by the intestines, but settles in it.
2. Emotional stress. During times of severe stress, food reaches the lower gastrointestinal tract faster and does not have time to be digested.
3. Quick snacks. Poorly chewed food is not completely digested, causing gas formation.
4. 3-4 days before the start of menstruation, women suffer from flatulence.

Gases can provoke products that tend to cause fermentation, these include:

1. Some fruit and vegetable products: apples, potatoes, cabbage, beans, etc.
2. Dairy products if a person is lactose intolerant.
3. Sugar in large quantities causes fermentation.
4. Water with appropriate bubbles.

Increased gas production may be one of the symptoms of certain diseases:

• Pancreatitis and other pathologies of the pancreas.
• Cirrhosis of the liver.
• Gastritis of the stomach.
• Colitis.
• Dysbacteriosis.

If there is a gastrointestinal infection, the problem in question appears constantly. It can be identified by an unpleasant odor. This happens because the body is fighting the problem and some bacteria have a side effect. Sometimes they are released with great discomfort and even severe pain.

Only a doctor can help you how to combat gas in the stomach in this case. In order to release gases from the intestines, an adult must be prescribed complex therapy. If the cause of flatulence is the presence of a disease, then you should first get rid of it.

Therapeutic gymnastics helps to easily get rid of the problem, it is simple and effective

Symptoms of bloating

Flatulence is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• a feeling of fullness, heaviness, bloating and an increase in the volume of the abdomen on top, sides or in the lower part;
• tingling;
• swelling and rumbling;
• The patient is bothered by short-term nagging pains. This is due to the accumulation of air in the abdominal cavity and tension of the intestinal wall;
• difficulty breathing – bloating makes it difficult to breathe;
• belching;
• removal of gases to the outside with a specific sound (flatulence) and a putrid unpleasant odor (especially in the evening);
• nausea, vomiting;
• stool disorders (constipation, loose stools);
• general weakness, dizziness;
• skin rashes due to indigestion;
• bad dream.

Symptoms of gas formation in the stomach

Abdominal bloating is accompanied by pronounced symptoms; the disease has 2 variants, but the clinical picture in both cases is almost the same.

In the first case, the main manifestations of flatulence are a swollen and hard abdomen; the increase in volume occurs due to spasm of the large intestine, which prevents the passage of gases. In the second case, gases come out involuntarily and regularly, the stomach does not hurt, but constantly rumbles, you can hear the contents of the intestines overflowing - all this negatively affects a person’s quality of life.

How does flatulence manifest:

• feeling of heaviness, fullness in the stomach;
• pain in the lower abdomen, often accompanied by severe contractions and cramps;
• belching, hiccups:
• bowel dysfunction;
• loss of appetite.

Bloating is the main symptom of flatulence

Sometimes, with bloating, extraintestinal symptoms appear - insomnia, pain and burning in the sternum, disturbances in heart rhythm, weakness, migraine.

Approximately 900 ml of gases are found in the body of a healthy person - they are secreted by microorganisms that live in the intestines; most of the gases are released during bowel movements.

Diagnosis of bloating

If you experience frequent bloating and gas formation, accompanied by pain, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist or therapist. The doctor will prescribe a series of diagnostic tests to determine the causes of the disease.

The first stage of diagnosis is a physical examination:

1. examination of the patient. A visual examination of the contours of the abdomen allows you to determine the cause of flatulence and its nature - whether it is local or general. For example, if the anterior wall is stretched like a dome and folds of intestinal loops are visible, suspicion falls on the presence of intestinal obstruction. Wave contractions from left to right, compaction in the epigastric region may indicate mechanical blockage of the gastric sphincter. A characteristic sign of liver cirrhosis is redness of the palms - erythema;
2. palpation – when there is an excess amount of gas in the intestines, the abdomen becomes hard and intestinal loops can be felt. Palpation also allows you to identify tumor formations in the abdominal cavity, if any;
3. Auscultation - the study of noises in the abdominal cavity that appear due to the accumulation of gases or liquid. Noises can be pronounced, weak or completely absent;
4. percussion - tapping the abdominal wall, which allows you to determine the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen by studying sounds (the sound can be fluctuating, dull).

The second stage of diagnosis is laboratory and instrumental research. Laboratory research methods include:

1. general blood analysis. An increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and leukocytosis indicate the presence of inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract;
2. blood chemistry. An increased level of bilirubin indicates hepatitis, amylase indicates pancreatitis, hypoalbunemia indicates ulcerative colitis;
3. coprogram - allows you to identify the presence of worms, lamblia, fermentopathy and digestive disorders;
4. stool analysis for carbohydrates - helps to diagnose abnormalities in the pancreas and inflammatory processes in the intestines;
5. stool culture for dysbacteriosis - establishes the ratio of beneficial bacteria to pathogenic ones;
6. stool lipid profile - prescribed for suspected oncology, enteritis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, allows to identify disturbances in the breakdown and absorption of lipids;
7. stool analysis for pancreatic elastase-1 - helps in studying the condition of the pancreas, which produces an enzyme for the breakdown of elastin.

Instrumental research methods include:

1. Ultrasound of internal organs;
2. X-ray of the intestine with contrast;
3. bowel ultrasonography to detect fluid and cancer;
4. colonoscopy with examination of the colon using a probe inserted into the anus;
5. sigmoidoscopy with examination of the rectal mucosa;
6. irrigoscopy - radiography of the colon into which contrast is injected.

Diagnostic features

A visit to a doctor at the first manifestations of a pathological condition is required for timely detection of the disease and prescribing a course of therapy. This will significantly speed up the healing process. The first thing the doctor does when diagnosing is to conduct a visual examination of the patient and palpation of the abdominal cavity. He then refers the patient for laboratory tests.

Abdominal ultrasound

Diagnostic procedures for increased gas formation include:

• endoscopic examination;
• X-ray diagnostics;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• biochemical and clinical analysis of the patient's blood.

Often the cause of the constant release of gas from the body is parasites (worms), so during diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe a coprogram (stool test).

Tablets for bloating and increased gas formation

To eliminate bloating and gas formation, the following drugs are prescribed:

1. adsorbents - drugs in this group absorb various types of bacteria and the toxins they produce. The most common drugs among adsorbents are Activated Carbon, Polysorb, Diosmectite, Smecta, Polyphepan;
2. prokinetics - improve intestinal motility and promote the removal of gases. These include Passazhix and Motilium;
3. antispasmodics – have a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the intestine, eliminate pain. Antispasmodics include drugs No-shpa, Drotaverine, Papaverine (suppositories and tablets), Pantestin, Dolce;
4. defoamers - reduce gas pressure on the intestinal walls, freeing it from toxins. These include Espumisan, Kolikid;
5. herbal remedies - restore intestinal motility, remove gases, help relieve cramps and pain due to bloating;
6. Enzyme preparations – promote the breakdown of fats and fiber, thereby improving the absorption of nutrients. This group of drugs includes Festal, Pancreatin and Creon.

A gas tube is often used to remove gases in infants and bedridden patients. Its frequent use can be addictive, as a result of which the body is not able to independently remove accumulated gases. In addition, if the gas tube is used carelessly, there is a risk of damaging the intestinal wall and causing bleeding.

Flatulence does not pose a danger to human life. The use of antispasmodics and adsorbents alleviates symptoms within 30 minutes, and pain in the abdominal cavity due to bloating goes away after a bowel movement.

If cutting or acute pain does not leave the patient even after defecation, suspicions arise about the presence of serious diseases, such as:

• acute form of appendicitis (accompanied by a burning sensation in the right side);
• intestinal obstruction;
• rupture of a cyst in the ovary;
• peritonitis.

In this case, you should immediately call an ambulance

Bloated stomach due to gastritis

Flatulence with gastritis should be treated comprehensively. The complex of drugs includes painkillers (Gastratcid, Phosphalugel) and sorbents that remove toxins (Activated Carbon, Smecta, Enterosgel). To normalize the production of gastric juice, the drugs Misoprostol and Cytotec are prescribed. In some cases, the patient is prescribed antibiotics - Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin.

Flatulence with stomach and duodenal ulcers

In cases of excessive gas formation caused by peptic ulcers, drugs are prescribed - anticholinergics, which reduce the production of hydrochloric acid and enzymes that corrode the mucous membrane of the digestive organs. These include Pirenzepine, Omeprazole, Vikair, Gastal. De-nol and Bismofalk have an antiseptic effect.

Bloating in chronic colitis

For colitis accompanied by bloating and gas formation, corticosteroids are prescribed, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. This includes medications Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone. In case of ulcerative colitis, immunosuppressants (Cyclosporine, Azathioprine, Acipol) are prescribed. Mezim-Forte and Creon preparations help compensate for the lack of digestive enzymes.

Flatulence with pancreatitis

To restore the digestive process during pancreatitis, enzyme preparations that do not contain bile acids are used. These include Mezim-Forte, Creon and Pancitrate. No-shpa or Duspatalin will help relieve abdominal pain. Phosphalugel and Maalox promote gas release during pancreatitis. To reduce the activity of the pancreas, Somatostatin is prescribed.

Bloating due to viral hepatitis

For this type of pathology, interferons should be used. They have immunomodulatory and antiviral effects. To restore liver cells, hepatoprotectors are prescribed, such as Geparsil, Silymarin-Hexal, Silibor, Darsil.

Spasms due to biliary dyskinesia

Papaverine and No-shpa will help relieve spasms during dyskinesia. If the tone of the gallbladder is reduced, the drug Cyqualon is prescribed. Drinking mineral waters Essentuki and Naftusya, as well as following diet No. 5, will help normalize the functioning of the gallbladder.

Bloating due to dysbacteriosis

In this case, the doctor prescribes antibacterial drugs that suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria, such as Bifikol and Enterol. Prebiotics Lactusan and Inulin, and probiotics Bifiform and Normoflorin will help restore the intestinal microflora. To remove gases and toxins, Polyphepan and Zosterin are prescribed.

Characteristic symptoms

Increased gas formation in the stomach may be indicated by the development of some symptoms accompanying this disease. These include:

• release of gases from the body through the mouth (frequent belching);
• attacks of nausea;

  Nausea attack

• the patient's stomach becomes very hard, begins to swell and hurt;
• as a result of mixing of gases with the contents of the stomach, rumbling in the stomach occurs;
• gases coming out of the stomach have an unpleasant odor;
• there are problems with stool (diarrhea or constipation);
• general weakness of the body, problems with sleep;
• depression due to constant feelings of embarrassment;
• burning sensation in the sternum area resulting from compression of the vagus nerve.

The main symptom is an increase in waist size

On a note! Although flatulence is not a disease, it may indicate the development of serious diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if increased gas formation has been bothering you for several days, you should definitely visit a doctor for a diagnostic examination.

Traditional medicine for bloating and gas formation

For constant bloating and excessive gas formation, traditional methods of treatment are often used. So, ginger will help reduce excessive gas formation and improve appetite. You should grind the ginger root to a powder and take it three times a day after meals, 20 g, with 100 ml of water.

Potato juice helps get rid of stomach discomfort. It should be taken 100 ml on an empty stomach in the morning, after which it is recommended to lie down for about half an hour. The duration of such treatment is 8-10 days, after which a break is taken for a week. After the break, you can repeat the course.

Another effective method for eliminating stomach problems is a soda solution. 20 g of soda are diluted in a glass of boiled water and taken 15 minutes before meals 1-3 times a day.

Applying a warm heating pad to your stomach will help eliminate unpleasant painful sensations and reduce increased gas formation.

Infusions for flatulence at home

Taking an infusion of chamomile, mint, caraway and anise flowers will help stop increased gas emission. To do this, all ingredients are mixed in equal proportions in a clay container. 30 g of dry herbal mixture is poured into 250 ml of boiling water and left for 15 minutes. This infusion is taken 100 ml every 2 hours.

Dill infusion helps to cope with gas separation. To prepare it, you need to pour 25 g of crushed seeds into 300 ml of boiling water, leave the mixture for 30 minutes, then strain. The finished infusion is taken 100 ml 2 hours before meals three times a day.

You can treat bloating with an infusion of medicinal herbs such as lavender, mint and licorice root. All components are mixed in 5 g doses, poured boiling water into a thermos, after which the infusion is drunk in 50 ml doses throughout the day.

An infusion of medicinal dandelion roots helps fight bloating and gas. To prepare it, pour 30 g of crushed roots into a glass of cool water and leave for 50 minutes. You should drink the infusion 4 times a day before meals, 50 ml.

When treating excessive gas formation, an infusion of sweet clover works great. 25 g of dry herb is poured into 250 ml of water at room temperature, left for 2 hours, filtered and taken 35 ml three times a day.

The use of decoctions for bloating and gas formation

A decoction of coriander, cumin and fennel helps remove excess gases from the body and feel light. To do this, mix 30g of coriander and 20g of cumin and fennel, add 300 ml of water and bring to a boil. The finished decoction should be taken twice a day, 200 ml.

Chamomile decoction is popular for flatulence, relieving cramps in the stomach and restoring the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. To prepare it, pour 25 g of chamomile flowers into 250 ml of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes, then strain. The finished decoction is taken 100 ml half an hour before meals, until the discomfort in the stomach disappears.

Another effective remedy is a decoction of elecampane. To prepare a decoction, you need to pour 20 g of rhizomes into 1 liter of water and leave for an hour. It is recommended to drink the strained decoction during the day for flatulence.

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Causes

Before you get rid of farting, you need to consider why an adult or child has this problem. First you need to understand that gases are always present in the human body. They are formed internally and enter the intestines from the outside (during eating). But if they accumulate too quickly and there are a lot of them, then the person farts, and constantly.

Important! Before you start dealing with the problem, it is important to undergo a gastrointestinal examination and pass all tests to find out why a person suffers from frequent farting. Without finding out the cause, treatment will be unsuccessful.

Each pathological condition has its own cause. If a person constantly releases gases that have an unpleasant odor, this may indicate:

• intestinal dysbiosis;
• presence of worms;
• chronic pancreatitis;
• impaired intestinal motility;
• flatulence;
• poor diet (consumption of carbonated drinks, legumes, fried or very spicy foods, eggs, baked goods with sugar substitutes);
• acute infection in the intestines;
• neurosis.

How to eat when you have bloating and increased gas production

Proper nutrition plays a big role in flatulence, since consuming inappropriate food can only aggravate the situation.

Here are some tips on how not to harm your body when you have bloating:

1. eat small meals. Eating large portions of food leads to its subsequent rotting and fermentation in the intestines due to insufficient processing by gastric juice and digestive enzymes;
2. Chew food thoroughly and slowly. Quickly swallowed food enters the stomach with a large amount of air, which combines with gases inside the intestines, leading to flatulence;
3. eat steamed, boiled and stewed dishes. Such food is well absorbed without lingering in the intestines;
4. eat on schedule. An adult needs to eat 5 times a day in small portions. The break between each meal should be at least three hours so that the food has time to be processed by digestive juices. Snacks with “fast carbohydrates”, such as baked goods and fast food, increase fermentation and gas formation in the intestines;
5. eat foods that are not too cold or too hot. The optimal food temperature is 60 degrees;
6. dessert or fruit should be consumed 2 hours after eating;
7. drink 1.5-2 liters of liquid. This will help prevent constipation, which is accompanied by bloating.

Let us tell you in more detail which foods should be excluded from your diet, and which, on the contrary, are recommended to be eaten to improve digestion.

To avoid the fermentation process, you should exclude from your diet foods that cause it, namely:

• legumes - beans, peas, lentils;
• fast carbohydrates – sweets, chocolate, cakes, pastries;
• cereals - pearl barley, millet;
• bread with bran and rye flour;
• whole milk, cream, various milkshakes;
• difficult to digest types of meat - lamb, pork;
• mushrooms;
• vegetables containing coarse fiber - cabbage, tomatoes, radishes;
• fruits, berries - apples, pears, dates, grapes, raspberries, watermelon;
• soda, beer, kvass;
• alcoholic drinks;
• gum.

To improve intestinal motility, you should include in the menu:

• fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese);
• crumbly porridge (buckwheat);
• bread made from wheat flour, preferably yesterday's baked bread.

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Excessive gas syndrome

According to statistics, 30–40% of the population have regular dyspeptic complaints, and occasionally they occur in 100% of people, regardless of gender, age, nationality and place of residence. Conventionally, all dyspeptic disorders are divided into manifestations of upper (gastric) and lower (intestinal) dyspepsia. Manifestations of gastric dyspepsia include dysphagia, regurgitation, rumination, belching, nausea, heartburn, and vomiting. Manifestations of intestinal dyspepsia include constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, dyschezia, and encopresis. One of the serious and not fully resolved problems in gastroenterology is the syndrome of increased gas formation, manifested in the form of belching air, flatulence and flatulence. Excessive gas syndrome is one of the most common and is observed in more than 85% of patients with gastrointestinal diseases, and occasionally occurs in all people. The composition of cavity gases varies depending on the sections of the gastrointestinal tract. The main constituent gases are: nitrogen (N2) – 11–92%, hydrogen (H2) – 1–10%, methane (CH4) – 0–56%, carbon dioxide (CO2) – 3–54%, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) – 0–30%. The foul odor of gases is caused by the content of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH3) and a mixture of trace amounts of aromatic hydrocarbons (indole, skatole, mercaptan). Belching with air is a syndrome of gastric dyspepsia, manifested in the release of air from the upper parts of the digestive tract during eating or during the interprandial period. Belching is a manifestation of pathology in the upper digestive tract, a characteristic sign of a person’s eating behavior, and sometimes a symptom of changes in the psyche, in particular the presence of hysteria. A certain social problem is the frequent, loud belching of air, which is perceived as a bad habit and a manifestation of bad taste. The main source of gas in the gastrointestinal tract during belching is swallowed air, and the process of swallowing air is called aerophagia. Normally, when eating or drinking small amounts, aerophagia occurs in all people. On average, with each act of swallowing, 2–3 ml of air enters the stomach. Peculiarities of people's eating behavior manifest themselves in the form of swallowing more air during fast eating ("greedy" sucking in infants) with insufficient chewing, swallowing large pieces of food, talking or smoking while eating, which leads to an increase in the amount of swallowed air, an increase in gastric air bladder volume. The cause of aerophagia may be the presence of congenital anomalies of the maxillofacial apparatus - cleft palate and cleft lip, malocclusion. Since every act of swallowing is accompanied by air entering the stomach, an increase in the number of swallowing movements also leads to the accumulation of air in the stomach. Increased swallowing movements are typical for patients with chronic pathology of the nasopharynx (rhinitis, adenoiditis, tonsillitis), with excessive salivation (vagotonia, diseases of the oral cavity and upper digestive tract), in the presence of foreign bodies in the oral cavity (dentures, braces, staples) . The gas that enters the stomach during aerophagia has the same composition as the surrounding air; nitrogen predominates in it, oxygen and carbon dioxide are present in smaller quantities. Under physiological conditions, swallowed air, with proper functioning of the cardiac sphincter, is partially removed from the stomach in small portions without visible signs and is released with exhaled air. A small amount of air from the stomach (approximately 20–30%) moves with the bolus of food into the intestines. At the same time, if the motor function of the upper parts of the digestive tract is impaired, increased bacterial growth with a predominance of fermentation processes may occur, gases from the intestines enter the stomach, which leads to the appearance of a fetid odor of belching, caused by a slightly different gas composition - the amount of hydrogen and carbon dioxide increases, hydrogen sulfide and aromatic hydrocarbons are detected. Flatulence (Greek meteorismus - rising, bloating) is an excessive accumulation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract due to their increased formation or insufficient release, manifested in a feeling of discomfort, bloating and fullness of the abdomen, rumbling in the abdomen, as well as the development of abdominal pain syndrome. Flatulence is the release from the lower parts of the digestive tract of an excessive amount of, often foul-smelling, gases, which may be accompanied by sounds of varying volume and timbre. Flatulence can occur in a person already in the first days of life and, along with regurgitation and vomiting, is one of the earliest symptoms of dyspepsia. The occurrence of flatulence in young children is associated with insufficiency or immaturity of the child’s enzyme systems and may be the first sign of impaired intestinal absorption syndrome and dysbiotic processes in the child’s intestines, which will occur with increased fermentation and putrefaction processes in the intestines. Flatulence shows with striking clarity the close connection between breastfeeding mother and child - if there are foods in the mother's diet that increase gas formation, symptoms of flatulence will be observed in both the mother and the child receiving breast milk. In this regard, it is necessary to pay special attention to the nutrition of a nursing woman and to exclude from her diet foods that have carminative properties. The development of abdominal pain syndrome during flatulence is associated with overstretching of intestinal loops or with tension of the mesentery due to gases accumulating in the lumen. When the gas bubble moves, the pain decreases, stops or changes its location. The duration and intensity of abdominal pain varies, and is believed to be due to individual characteristics of nociceptive sensitivity and visceral hypersensitivity of the intestine. In young children who are unable to make verbal complaints, the clinical picture of abdominal pain syndrome is described as “intestinal colic.” Depending on the etiological cause of development, the following types of flatulence are distinguished [P.L. Shcherbakov et al., 1998]. 1. Alimentary – arising as a result of aerophagia and the consumption of foods, the digestion of which is accompanied by an increase in gas formation in the intestine. 2. Digestive – resulting from disruption of digestion processes as a result of enzyme deficiency, the formation of maldigestion, malabsorption, and disruption of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. 3. Dysbiotic – developing as a result of a disturbance in the composition of the microflora of the digestive tract. 4. Mechanical – resulting from mechanical disorders of the evacuation function of the gastrointestinal tract with impaired gas passage (presence of adhesions, stenoses, tumors). 5. Dynamic – resulting from a violation of the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract with a slowdown in the transit of gas through the digestive tract with intestinal paresis, intoxication, peritonitis, irritable bowel syndrome, anomalies in the structure or position of the large intestine (rotation, duplication, pathological motility, splenic angle syndrome, blind syndrome intestines, etc.). 6. Circulatory flatulence - as a consequence of impaired local or general circulation (portal hypertension, ischemic colitis). 7. High-altitude flatulence - as a consequence of a decrease in atmospheric pressure when rising to a height, which leads to an increase in the partial pressure of gases in the intestinal cavity. The presence of gases in the intestines is due to the processes of: 1) swallowing air; 2) formation of gases in the intestinal lumen; 3) diffusion of gases from the blood. According to Saltzman and Sieker (1968), normally 65–70% of intestinal gases are of exogenous origin, 30–35% are of endogenous origin. According to modern data, 75% of intestinal gases are products of bacterial fermentation of food components and endogenous glycoproteins in the intestine. In healthy people, the intestines contain a small amount of gases - less than 200 ml, while at the same time, every day in an adult, an average of 600-700 ml of gases (from 200 to 2000 ml) are released through the lower parts of the digestive tract, which is physiological. The release of intestinal gas is thought to occur in approximately 15 (range 13 to 20) 40 ml portions, but there is considerable individual variation. An increase in the amount of gases in the intestines is manifested in the appearance of abdominal pain syndrome, a feeling of bloating and discomfort in the abdomen, rumbling in the abdomen and, what is most unpleasant for the person himself, the release of large amounts of intestinal gases - flatulence, which is not only a medical, but also a social problem, worsening a person's quality of life. Children with excessive gas formation are subject to ridicule from their peers, often older friends and parents, and receive offensive nicknames, which leads to the formation of complexes in them. At the same time, psychosocial stress factors are added to the physical suffering of children, which aggravates the course of the disease. The child limits his communication and tries to lead an isolated lifestyle. Impaired movement of gases through the intestines may be a manifestation of intestinal paresis, including peritonitis, in the postoperative period. The development of intestinal obstruction is accompanied in the first stages by the development of local flatulence - a local expansion of the intestinal lumen with increased intestinal peristalsis proximal to the site of narrowing or obstruction. The human gastrointestinal tract is home to approximately 500 species of microorganisms that make up the intestinal microflora. The largest number of microorganisms is found in the large intestine, although we should not forget about the microbiota of the stomach, duodenum and small intestine. As a result of bacterial metabolism, significant volumes of hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and volatile hydrocarbons are released into the intestinal lumen. The largest amount of gases is formed in the distal parts of the small intestine and in the large intestine, where the predominant amount of intestinal microflora is noted. The presence of gases in the composition of feces causes them to be less dense than water and manifests itself in the floating of feces. The main part of hydrogen is a product of metabolism of fermentable substances (carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids) by anaerobic bacteria. Hydrogen producers are such important components of microflora as Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium spp., Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Bacteroides clostridiformis and others. A lot of hydrogen is released after eating certain vegetables and fruits that contain poorly digestible carbohydrates and proteins (legumes, white cabbage, grapes, dates, kiwi). In addition, the course of malabsorption syndrome of various etiologies (disaccharidase deficiency, gluten enteropathy, sprue, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) and intestinal dysbiosis are also manifested by an increase in hydrogen formation. Methane is formed during the life of obligate anaerobic bacteria (Methanobrevibacter smithii, Methanospaere stadmamiae) during their fermentation of endogenous substances mainly in the colon, and food intake has little effect on the rate of its formation. About 1/4 of the child population and 1/3 of the adult population produce fairly large amounts of methane. In patients with colonic diverticulosis, the proportion of methane in the released intestinal gases is also increased. Carbon dioxide in the intestinal lumen can be formed both during the metabolic activity of the intestinal microflora and as a result of the interaction of hydrogen ions H+ and HCO3– ions secreted by the pancreas, intestines and liver in the process of alkalization of the acidic contents of the stomach in the upper digestive tract. Another source of carbon dioxide is the breakdown of fatty acids. According to theoretical calculations, after eating, up to 4 liters of carbon dioxide can be released in the duodenum of an adult, but a significant part of it is reabsorbed in the small intestine into the blood and released by the lungs. In the colon, unabsorbed organic substances (primarily carbohydrate-containing substances - cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, leggins) are actively metabolized by the intestinal microbiota with the formation of mainly carbon dioxide and aromatic hydrocarbons. Amino acids and urea formed during the breakdown of proteins, as well as 30% of urea synthesized by the liver, are metabolized by intestinal microflora (primarily the genus Bacteroides) with the formation of ammonia. Microbial transformation of sulfur-containing amino acids by anaerobic bacteria is accompanied by the formation of hydrogen sulfide. The processes of gas diffusion between the blood and the intestinal cavity ensure the interchange of gas contents. The direction of diffusion is determined by the relative partial pressure of gases in the plasma and intestinal lumen. Nitrogen and, to a lesser extent, oxygen diffuse into the intestinal lumen, which can then be absorbed by acidophilic microflora. Carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen are partially absorbed from the intestinal lumen into the plasma and released by the lungs. Nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide are not absorbed into the plasma and are excreted exclusively by the intestines. When the relationship “formation-absorption-removal of gases” is violated, conditions arise for excessive accumulation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract. Gases in the intestines can be free or dissolved. Dissolution of gases occurs in the liquid contents of the intestine, the presence of a mixture of organic substances with foaming properties (soaps, mucopolysaccharides, fatty and bile acids, peptides) ensures the stabilization of gas bubbles in a liquid medium - “liquid in gas”. The development of flatulence is characterized by an increase in the amount of dissolved gas with the formation of foam formed by gas bubbles separated by liquid layers of different thicknesses like a honeycomb. An increase in the amount of stable gas foam covering the surface of the intestinal mucosa complicates the processes of digestion, absorption, resorption and removal of gases. Increased gas formation is always a secondary syndrome and reflects the course of the underlying disease, and therefore the main attention should be paid to the treatment of the primary disease. The following main directions of treatment for the syndrome of increased gas formation are distinguished. 1. Diet correction. It is necessary to exclude from the diet foods that contribute to increased gas formation. Excluded: – legumes (lentils, beans, beans, peas); – products containing coarse fiber and extractive substances (cabbage, spinach, sorrel, onions, garlic, turnips, radishes, apples, gooseberries, raspberries, dates, etc.); – products that cause fermentation processes (kvass, beer, black bread, grapes, raisins, etc.); - whole milk; – carbonated and alcoholic drinks; - chewing gum. The diet limits the intake of difficult-to-digest protein foods (pork, lamb, goose, mushrooms) and easily digestible carbohydrates (sugar, baked goods, cookies, cakes and pastries). It is recommended to consume fermented milk products, crumbly porridges made from buckwheat and millet cereals. Food should be prepared by steaming, stewing or boiling. Preference should be given to bread made from wholemeal wheat flour, freshly baked yesterday. 2. Changing your daily routine. It is necessary to normalize the patient's sleep and limit smoking, especially during meals. An increase in the frequency of meals is required. For young children, more frequent feeding in smaller volumes is necessary to prevent “greedy” sucking. Older children and adults should eat 5-6 times a day, paying special attention to breakfast, which should contain cereal dishes. Eating should be done calmly and food should be chewed thoroughly. Talking while eating is not allowed. 3. Prescription of enzyme and choleretic drugs. The use of enzyme replacement therapy helps reduce maldigestion, normalizes intestinal motor activity, thus leading to a reduction in abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort. Choleretic therapy increases the amount of bile entering the intestine, which normalizes motility and biocenosis of the gastrointestinal tract. 4. Correction of intestinal microbiocenosis. Modern research has proven that normalization of intestinal microbiocenosis is an important factor in the treatment and prevention of the development of increased gas formation. At the present stage, correction of microbiocenosis requires the use of prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic drugs, widely represented on the Russian pharmaceutical market. Particular preference should be given to preparations containing lactobacilli, which have a proven property of suppressing excess gas formation, comparable to the effect of defoamers. 4. Relief of motor disorders of the digestive organs. Of great importance in the therapy of increased gas formation is the normalization of the engine activity of the gastrointestinal tract using both prokinetics (methropolopramide, domperidone) in age dosages, and antispasmodic drugs that normalize the intestinal motor function (for example, drutaverine (spas -mono, spasms of the forte) is distinguished by high selectivity of action. The frequency of unwanted side effects, including from the side of the cardiovascular system (arterial hypotension, tachycardia), when taking the drug is much lower than other antispasmodics. The antisometus does not penetrate into the central nervous system, does not affect the vegetative nervous system, and can be used both adults and children. 5. The purpose of adsorbents and foamers. As adsorbents, that is, drugs capable of binding gases in the intestine, activated carbon, lignin, drugs containing diomectitis are used for decades. Preparations of this class have proven well themselves in clinical practice, but have several negative features - they cause a delay in the stool, bind not only gas, but also vitamins, trace elements, drugs, components of normal microflora, therefore, they cannot be used for a long time. These side properties are deprived of modern silicon -containing drugs based on dimetikon and symeticon. Thus, the syndrome of increased gas formation remains to the end of a non -solved problem of gastroenterology, which has not only medical, but also social significance. There is no doubt that the help of a patient with this pathology is an important task of gastroenterology and pediatrics and will help improve social adaptation and quality of life of children and adults. Literature 1. Shcherbakov P.L. Meteorism in children // Difficult patient, 2006, Volume 4, No. 9, p. 19–21. 2. Butorova L.I. Excessive gas formation syndrome for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract // Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2003, No. 6 (285). https://www.pharmvestnik.ru/ cgi-bin/state.pl? SID = 6487 3. Kuzmenko L.G. Digestive disorders // Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2005, No. 25 (388). https://www.pharmvestnik.ru/cgi-bin/statya.pl?sid=9868 4. Savino F., Pelle E., Ogerro R., Miniero R. Lactobacillus Reuteri (American Type Cultupe Culletion Str Ain 55730) Versus Simethicone in the Treatment of Infantile Colic: A Prospective Randomized Study. // Pediatrics, 2007; 119 (1): 124–130. 5. Bondarenko N.V., Zhelnova T.I., Kirsanova A.I. et al. Principles of treatment of flatulence syndrome // Diseases of the digestive organs, 2003, volume 5, No. 1, p. 16–19. 6. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 18-TH ed., 2006, 2992 p., Section 2: GastroinTestinal Disorders, p. 62–184.

Proper nutrition

Sometimes the cause of excess gases in the stomach and intestines is poor nutrition. If you correct it, you can get rid of this problem. It is also an excellent prevention of flatulence. It is important not only what to eat, but also how to eat:

1. Take your time while eating, chew everything thoroughly.
2. If you drink tea or other drinks, try not to take large sips.
3. Don't overeat.
4. You shouldn't talk at the table.

Prohibited foods and drinks

If you have increased gas formation, you will have to give up a number of products:

• all legumes;
• cabbage (any);
• turnip, radish, radish;
• onion;
• mushrooms;
• pears, apples and grapes;
• potato;
• pumpkin;
• flour products made from yeast dough;
• chips or fried potatoes;
• lemonade and other carbonated drinks;
• coffee.

Allowed foods and drinks

With flatulence, food restrictions are insignificant, the patient can eat fully. It’s good if he includes the following foods and drinks in his diet:

• casseroles and stews made from vegetables;
• boiled meat or fish;
• soups;
• oatmeal and buckwheat;
• low-fat fermented milk products;
• eggs;
• tea made from ginger, mint and chamomile.

Gases in the stomach can cause many unpleasant moments to a person. Therefore, this ailment must be treated. To prevent this problem, it is advisable to walk a lot in the fresh air, eat right, be less nervous, and also monitor your health, that is, treat all gastrointestinal diseases in a timely manner.

Medication solution

If there is gas in the stomach, everyone suffering from this symptom should know the causes and treatment. You should consult a doctor. This condition does not always go away on its own. Often, flatulence indicates the presence of a serious illness.

Pharmacological factories provide a decent selection of drugs. Medicines are sold in the form of drops, tablets or capsules.

Patients with flatulence are prescribed enzyme preparations, gastric juice, prokinetics, antispasmodics, defoamers and adsorbents:

1. Pancreatin;
2. natural gastric juice;
3. Motilium;
4. Papverine;
5. Espumisan;
6. Polysorb.

For young children, anti-gas medications are prescribed in the form of suspensions or drops. The dosage of the medication is determined based on the weight and age of the baby.

The problem can be finally solved if you conduct an examination and identify the cause of flatulence. Home remedies temporarily relieve bloating, but visiting a doctor will permanently eliminate the disease.

Clinical manifestations

Flatulence is a whole syndrome that includes not only increased gas formation and bloating. The following phenomena may be observed:

1. Feeling of heaviness in the stomach. Directly proportional to the volume of accumulated gases.
2. Pain. Painful sensations arise due to compression of internal organs by stretched intestinal loops, when large vessels, nerve trunks, etc. are pinched.
3. Intestinal colic. Overstretching of the intestinal wall provokes irritation of multiple receptors and the implementation of a response - a sharp contraction of all smooth muscles. During an attack, the pain can be very severe, but not long-lasting.

In more rare situations, constipation or diarrhea with massive discharge of gases, decreased appetite due to stagnation of feces and intestinal intoxication may occur.

Expert opinion

Shubin Mikhail

Gastroenterologist, site expert

Strong pressure on the diaphragm is dangerous. Compression of many nerve fibers and organs of the chest contributes to the appearance of symptoms from the cardiovascular (increased blood pressure, tachycardia) and respiratory systems (shortness of breath, decreased depth of breathing, development of pathological types of respiratory activity).

Severe flatulence is quite capable of causing gastrointestinal bleeding, hernia formation, intestinal rupture with symptoms of peritonitis.

After the passage of gases, the general condition, as a rule, normalizes, and clinical manifestations disappear.