What do a lot of gases. Accumulation of gases in the intestines

Most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are accompanied by such an unpleasant symptom as flatulence. Many patients are embarrassed to seek medical help in this situation, but it is important to understand that such a symptom may signal the presence of a disease. It is important to start treatment on time, finding the provoking factor of this condition. Flatulence can also be the result of overeating, the abuse of fatty foods and foods rich in fiber. If the gastrointestinal tract functions correctly, then at least 0.1-0.5 liters of gas leaves the body per day. With flatulence, this figure reaches 3 liters.

Intestinal gases are produced from components such as nitrogen, oxygen, methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The reason for the unpleasant smell of gases can be sulfur-containing substances synthesized by bacteria living in the large intestine. The process of passing gases can cause a lot of inconvenience, therefore, if the pathology is regular or prolonged, it is necessary to start treatment.

The accumulation of gases in the intestines can occur for various reasons. One of these reasons is emotional excitability. Scientists have proven that if a person experiences grief, stress, joy or happiness, food enters the intestine much faster, and the gastric tract does not have time to digest it completely.

Also, gases in the intestines can form due to talking while eating. If a person combines eating with conversations, excess air enters the gastrointestinal tract. It settles in the intestine without being absorbed into the blood. As a result, there is an increased level of flatulence.

An unhealthy diet or snacking on the go can provoke the accumulation of gases in the intestines. If a person chews food quickly, a lot of gas is formed. According to the recommendations of doctors, food should be chewed slowly and for a long time. To avoid flatulence, you need to eat right. The diet must be balanced. In this way, a healthy functioning of the gastrointestinal tract will be maintained.

One of the causes of bloating can be frequent constipation. Basically, they provoke the formation of gases in the stomach and intestines. It is important to treat constipation in a timely manner, as they disrupt the digestive system.

Gas in the intestines often accompanies premenstrual syndrome. Symptoms such as flatulence, weakness, pain in the lower abdomen and back are recorded in many girls and women a few days before the onset of menstruation. Also, bloating can be observed during pregnancy, since the fetus presses on the internal organs, which significantly affects their activity.

Gas during pregnancy is a common occurrence, in most cases it is not dangerous.

The cause of such symptoms may be products that promote the formation of gases. The accumulated air may be the result of the use of such foods:

alcohol;
kvass, black bread;
some vegetables, fruits (potatoes, cabbage, beans, apples);
dairy products, if the patient has lactase deficiency;
sugar, as it provokes fermentation.

The following diseases can be the cause of the formation of gases in the intestines:

colitis, gastritis;
ailments of the pancreas;
pancreatitis, dysbiosis, and cirrhosis.

Also, bloating can be observed due to an intestinal infection. In this case, increased gas formation is accompanied by the following symptoms: nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea.

Clinical picture

As a rule, along with flatulence, accompanying symptoms occur, such as:

an increase in the size of the abdomen;
intense rumbling;
hiccups, belching;
pain in the left, right hypochondrium;
cramping pains;
feeling of fullness and heaviness.

Flatulence in children and adults, as well as gases during pregnancy, cause a lot of inconvenience. If swelling is observed constantly, consult a gastroenterologist. He will prescribe medications that eliminate these symptoms, and also give recommendations on the diet. In some cases, folk remedies also help. Many doctors recommend using chamomile infusion.

Medical therapy

It is important to understand that the course of medical therapy must be prescribed by a qualified doctor. It is not recommended to independently choose drugs and start treatment. Therapy is prescribed after an examination, diagnosis, and appropriate laboratory tests. Treatment usually includes 3 main steps.

First step

Antispasmodics help with gas in the stomach. Basically, appoint No-Shpu, Drotaverin. When flatulence is the result of swallowing air in excessive quantities, measures are needed to prevent this.

Second step

Pathogenetic therapy is being carried out. At this stage, the doctor prescribes funds that can actively fight the symptoms. Sorbents are prescribed to cleanse the intestines of toxins and harmful substances. The main ones are Phosphalugel, Smecta. An important role is played by enzyme preparations that restore the full activity of the gastrointestinal tract. These include Mezim, Pancreatin. You can not do without such drugs that extinguish the foam. Thanks to such medicines, gases are absorbed and quickly evacuated. Such pharmacological preparations include Bibikol, Espumizan, Simethicone.

Third step

Before starting treatment, studies are carried out in which the cause of the symptoms is clarified. If swelling is rare, symptomatic medications can be used. If an infection is present, more serious treatment is required. If you need to take lactobacilli, restoring a healthy intestinal microflora. If increased gas formation occurs due to prolonged constipation, improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract should be dealt with.

Espumizan is considered the most popular, effective, and most importantly, safe medication that helps eliminate gases. It can be taken even by infants with the manifestation of colic. Reception is carried out according to the doctor's prescription, as it is necessary to know the cause of such discomfort. You should not self-medicate, as you can aggravate the situation.

Flatulence requires timely treatment. Given that this manifestation of the gastrointestinal tract is the cause of discomfort, it is worth visiting a doctor, undergoing an examination in order to cure the disease quickly and without complications.

Gas in the intestines is a rather unpleasant and fairly common phenomenon that occurs when there is an increased accumulation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract. This condition occurs due to overeating or eating foods high in fiber. Most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are accompanied by such an unpleasant phenomenon as increased gas formation or flatulence. Excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines can signal a malfunction in the digestive system and indicate the development of certain diseases. Many are embarrassed by these manifestations and postpone a visit to the doctor, attributing discomfort to nutritional errors. Nevertheless, it is necessary to find out the cause of flatulence, which causes significant inconvenience to the patient and the people around him, and it is necessary to begin treatment.

Increased gas formation can be observed when eating foods high in fiber or overeating. These factors lead to disruption of the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and the emergence of a specific problem that many patients are embarrassed to discuss. Normally, in the body of a healthy person, about 0.9 liters of gases produced by microorganisms are necessarily present. During the normal operation of the digestive system, only 0.1-0.5 liters of gases are excreted from the intestines during the day, while during flatulence, the volume of exhaust gases can reach three liters. This condition of involuntary emission of fetid gases, accompanied by sharp characteristic sounds, is called flatus and indicates dysfunction in the digestive system.

Intestinal gases are produced from five main components:

oxygen,
nitrogen,
carbon dioxide,
hydrogen,
methane.

An unpleasant smell is given to them by sulfur-containing substances produced by bacteria in the large intestine. Understanding the causes of this phenomenon will help to cope with the problem and get rid of gases in the intestines.

Causes of increased gas formation in the intestines

The accumulation of gases in the intestines can be caused by many reasons:

Flatulence leads to the use of products that cause fermentation processes in the body (kvass, beer, black bread, kombucha).
If the diet is dominated by foods that promote the formation of gases. These are cabbage, legumes, potatoes, grapes, apples, carbonated drinks.
Increased gas formation is noted in people with lactose intolerance and is caused by the use of dairy products.

In addition, flatulence often occurs in various pathological conditions of the body. It can be intestinal dysbacteriosis, acute intestinal infections, irritable bowel syndrome, or gastrointestinal diseases such as:

cirrhosis of the liver,
colitis,
enteritis.

Dysbiotic causes that occur when the normal intestinal microflora is disturbed can cause excessive gas formation. In this case, normal bacteria (lacto- and bifidobacteria) are suppressed by bacteria of opportunistic microflora (E. coli, anaerobes).

Symptoms of excess gas in the intestines

The main symptoms of excessive gas formation:

Characteristic cramping pains in the abdomen, a feeling of fullness and a constant feeling of discomfort. Painful sensations are caused by a reflex spasm of the intestinal walls, which occurs when its walls are stretched by an increased volume of gas.
Bloating, manifested in an increase in its volume due to the accumulation of gas.
Belching caused by backflow of gas from the stomach in dysphagia.
Rumbling in the abdomen, arising from the mixing of gases with the liquid contents of the intestine.
Nausea that accompanies indigestion. Occurs with the formation of toxins and an increase in the content in the intestine of products of incomplete digestion of food.
Constipation or diarrhea. Increased gas formation in most cases is accompanied by similar stool disorders.
Flatulence. A sharp release of gas from the rectum, accompanied by a characteristic sound and an unpleasant hydrogen sulfide odor.

Common symptoms of gas in the intestines can be manifested by palpitations, arrhythmias, and a burning sensation in the region of the heart. Such conditions provoke clamping of the vagus nerve by swollen intestinal loops and an upward displacement of the diaphragm. In addition, the patient is haunted by insomnia caused by intoxication of the body and depressive states with mood swings. There is a constant general malaise as a result of incomplete absorption of nutrients and improper bowel function.

What causes gas in the intestines?

Strong gases in the intestines cause foods rich in carbohydrates, dietary fiber and starch.

Carbohydrates

Of the carbohydrates, the most powerful provocateurs are:

Rafinose. Most of it is found in legumes, asparagus, cabbage. In smaller quantities, this carbohydrate is present in Brussels sprouts, broccoli, artichokes, and pumpkin.
Lactose. This natural disaccharide is found in milk and is found in all products made from it (ice cream, milk powder, dairy products). It is noted that in people with acquired or congenital intolerance to this enzyme, the use of dairy products leads to symptoms of flatulence.
Sorbitol. Found in most fruits and vegetables. In addition, this carbohydrate is used as a sweetener in the production of dietary products, chewing gums and confectionery.
Fructose. It is also present in almost all vegetables and fruits, and is used in the preparation of soft drinks and fruit juices.

Alimentary fiber

Found in all foods and can be soluble or insoluble. Soluble dietary fibers (pectins) swell in the intestines and form a gel-like mass. In this form, they reach the large intestine, where, when they are split, the process of gas formation occurs. Insoluble dietary fiber passes through the gastrointestinal tract practically unchanged and does not contribute to increased gas formation.

Starch

Almost all foods containing starch increase the formation of gases in the intestines. A lot of starch contains: potatoes, wheat, peas and other legumes, corn. The exception is rice, which contains starch, but does not cause bloating and flatulence.

How is the diagnosis carried out?

If the patient complains that he constantly has gases in the intestines, the doctor is obliged to exclude the presence of serious diseases, for which a comprehensive examination of the patient is carried out. It includes a physical examination, that is, listening and percussion, and instrumental methods.

Most often, an x-ray of the abdominal cavity is performed, with the help of which the presence of gases and the height of the diaphragm are detected. To assess the amount of gases, a rapid introduction of argon into the intestine is used. At the same time, it is possible to measure the volume of intestinal gases displaced by argon. In addition, the following diagnostic methods are used:

FEGDS - examination of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract using a special flexible tube with lighting and a miniature camera at the end. This method allows you to take, if necessary, a piece of tissue for research, that is, to make a biopsy.
Colonoscopy. Visual examination of the large intestine with a special device with a camera at the end.
Coprogram. Laboratory research, analysis of feces for enzymatic deficiency of the digestive system.
Sowing feces. With the help of this analysis, the presence of intestinal dysbacteriosis is detected and violations in the intestinal microflora are confirmed.

With chronic belching, diarrhea and unmotivated weight loss, an endoscopic examination may be prescribed to exclude suspicion of bowel cancer. In patients with frequent flatulence (gas release), nutritional characteristics are carefully studied in order to exclude foods that provoke bloating and flatulence from the diet.

If lactose deficiency is suspected, the patient is assigned lactose tolerance tests. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a study of the patient's daily diet, during which the patient must keep records of his daily diet in a special diary for a certain period of time.

If the patient complains that gases in the intestines do not go away, frequent swelling and sharp pains, the doctor should conduct an examination that excludes intestinal obstruction, ascites (fluid accumulation) or any inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

A thorough examination, adjustment of the diet, exclusion of provoking factors that cause flatulence, will answer the question of why gases are formed in the intestines in excess and what measures to take to get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon.

How to treat the accumulation of gases in the intestines?

Complex treatment of flatulence includes symptomatic, etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy. But it should be remembered that if the cause of the formation of excess gases is a disease, then the underlying disease must be treated first.

Symptomatic therapy should be aimed at reducing pain and includes the use of antispasmodics (Drotaverine, No-shpa). If the flatulence is caused by aerophagia, measures are taken to reduce the swallowing of air during meals.

Pathogenetic therapy fights excess gas formation with the help of:

Sorbents that bind and remove toxic substances from the body (Enterosgel, Phosphalugel). Adsorbents such as activated carbon are not recommended for long-term use due to severe side effects.
Enzymatic preparations containing digestive enzymes and improving the functioning of the digestive system (Mezim, Pancreatin).
Defoamers, which break down the foam in which gases accumulate in the intestines and improve the absorption capacity of the organ. This group of drugs affects intestinal motility and has a strong carminative effect (Dimethicone, Simethicone).

Etiotropic therapy fights the causes that cause gases in the intestines:

With dynamic flatulence, agents that enhance intestinal motility (Cerukal) are effective.
With flatulence caused by mechanical causes (intestinal tumors, constipation), treatment will depend on the specific disease. In case of tumors, surgical intervention will be performed, prolonged constipation is eliminated by taking laxatives.
To normalize the work of the intestines and eliminate dysbiosis, they take probiotics containing live bacteria in their composition.

The most important factor in the fight against flatulence is diet. To eliminate uncomfortable phenomena, it is necessary to correct nutrition and avoid fatty foods, which will help food to be absorbed faster and gases not to linger in the intestines. We will tell you more about how to eat properly with the formation of gases in the intestines.

Diet for flatulence

First of all, you need to find out which foods cause excessive gas formation and in the future these foods should be avoided. In some patients, flour products and sweets can provoke flatulence, in others - fatty and meat dishes. Be wary of foods high in fiber. It:

black bread,
legumes,
citrus,
cabbage,
fruit,
berries,
tomatoes,

Try an experiment and eliminate one of the following foods from your diet:

bananas,
raisin,
prunes,
radish,
fresh and sour cabbage,
peas,
lentils
muffin.

Depending on the result, it will be possible to understand what exactly provokes the occurrence of an unpleasant phenomenon. Try not to eat vegetables and fruits raw. It is better to boil or stew vegetables, use fruits to make compotes or mashed potatoes.

Try to avoid whole milk, ice cream, and milkshakes for two weeks. If such a diet is effective, then the cause of flatulence lies in lactose intolerance contained in dairy products and it is best to refuse their use. If there is no lactose intolerance, it will be useful to eat yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese every day, cook viscous cereals in milk in half with water.

You should stop drinking carbonated drinks, kvass, beer, which cause fermentation processes in the body. To eliminate dysphagia, doctors recommend eating slowly, chewing food thoroughly.

It is necessary to abandon the use of chewing gums, as in the process of chewing an excessive amount of air is swallowed. Try to avoid foods containing sorbitol (sugar-free gum, diet foods, breakfast cereals), whole grains and black bread.

To get rid of constipation and maintain normal bowel function, it is necessary to eat foods that contain indigestible fiber, such as ground wheat bran. It is important to avoid alcohol and try not to overeat by eating small meals several times a day.

Avoid fatty and fried meats. Dietary meat should be boiled or stewed. It is worth trying to replace meat with lean fish, and strong tea or coffee with herbal infusions. It is best to adhere to the principles of separate nutrition and exclude the simultaneous intake of starchy and protein foods, such as potatoes with meat.

Unfamiliar exotic dishes that are unusual for the stomach (Chinese, Asian cuisine) can pose a danger. With such a problem, you should not experiment and it is better to give preference to traditional national or European cuisine.

It is useful to arrange fasting days for the stomach. This will restore the digestive system and help get rid of toxins. On a fasting day, you can boil some rice and eat it warm, in small portions without salt, sugar and oil. Or unload with kefir if there is no intolerance to dairy products.

In this case, during the day it is recommended not to eat anything, but to drink only kefir (up to 2 liters). To activate the intestines and improve its motility, doctors recommend taking daily walks, walking more and leading an active lifestyle.

Traditional medicine from a strong content of gases in the intestines

Folk recipes give a good effect on the accumulation of gases in the intestines. Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs help to quickly get rid of an unpleasant ailment. Fennel - this medicinal plant has such an effective and mild effect in eliminating gases that even small children are given its infusion.

A similar effect is exerted by infusions of cumin and anise seeds. You can simply swallow carefully chewed seeds of these plants after eating, which will help improve digestion.
To prepare the infusion, take cumin or anise seeds. Enough 1 teaspoon. This amount of seeds is poured into a glass of boiling water, allowed to infuse for 15 minutes, and then filtered. Drink 1/3 cup before each meal.
Mint tea. For its preparation, you can take any kind of mint: peppermint, cat, spike. One teaspoon of crushed leaves is poured into 200 ml. boiling water and keep on low heat for about five minutes. Drink like regular tea.
A decoction of licorice root. It is prepared in the same way, 1 teaspoon of chopped root is poured with boiling water and kept on low heat for about 10 minutes. Drink a third of a glass before meals.
Infusion of dill seeds. One tablespoon of dill seeds is ground in a mortar to a powder, pour 300 ml. boiling water and leave covered for three hours. The resulting infusion is drunk during the day, taking the remedy 30 minutes before meals.
Dandelion infusion. The root of the plant is crushed, poured into 250 ml of warm boiled water and left under the lid overnight. In the morning, the infusion is filtered and drunk 4 times a day before meals.
Infusion of flaxseed. Taken orally with flatulence, accompanied by constipation. For its preparation 1st. a spoonful of flax insist on a glass of boiling water for two hours. Take two tablespoons of infusion during the day and a quarter cup before bedtime.
Infusion of chamomile flowers. The infusion is prepared in the same way, they drink two tablespoons three or four times a day.
Infusion of the herb night blindness. Good for chronic constipation and flatulence. Two tablespoons of grass pour 500 ml of boiling water, insist and filter. Take 1/2 cup three times a day.
Potato juice. Freshly squeezed potato juice helps to cope with unpleasant symptoms. It is recommended to drink half a glass of juice for 10 days one hour before meals. If necessary, the course of treatment is repeated after a week.
A decoction of rusty elm. This plant quickly copes with increased gas formation. Elm bark is crushed and taken as a powder, half a teaspoon of which is poured with a small amount of warm boiled water and diluted to a viscous mixture so that there are no lumps. Then the mass is poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled over low heat for 20 minutes. The finished mixture is filtered and taken one glass three times a day.

To eliminate constipation, leading to gas formation, you can prepare a mixture of dried fruits and senna herbs. To do this, 400g of dried apricots and pitted prunes are steamed with warm boiled water and left under the lid overnight. In the morning, the mixture is passed through a meat grinder, 200 g of honey and 1 tablespoon of dry hay grass are added, the mass is mixed well. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Take two teaspoons at night.

They will help get rid of gases in the intestines of an enema with a decoction of chamomile. To prepare a decoction, one tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers is poured into a glass of water and simmered over low heat for about 10 minutes. Allow the broth to cool, filter and dilute this amount of liquid with two tablespoons of boiled water. An enema is done daily at bedtime for 3-5 days.

conclusions

So what conclusions can we draw? Such a phenomenon as the accumulation of gases in the intestines in itself is not a disease. But if excess gas is constantly bothering and accompanied by a whole range of unpleasant symptoms: heartburn, constipation or diarrhea, stomach pain, unexplained weight loss, you need to seek medical help and undergo a thorough examination to rule out serious diseases.

If, during the examination, suspicions of other diseases disappear, then flatulence can be easily eliminated by changing the diet, proper nutrition and taking medications prescribed by the doctor. Follow all medical recommendations and be healthy!

Normally, the intestine contains up to 0.9 liters of gas, which is formed mainly as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms. Increased gas formation in the intestines is called flatulence and accompanies most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Men and women over the age of 50 suffer from prolonged flatulence with the same frequency. With errors in the diet, an episodic increase in gas formation is possible.

Why does gas form in the intestines?

The causes of flatulence are divided into several groups:

insufficient or excessive amount of certain substances in the diet (alimentary reasons);
digestive (digestive) flatulence;
dysbiotic causes;
mechanical flatulence;
dynamic reasons;
circulatory flatulence;
high-altitude flatulence;
dysphagia.

Each group of causes has its own mechanism:

Alimentary reasons associated with the direct property of certain foods, being digested in the intestines, to release a large amount of gases.
Digestive mechanism flatulence. Due to a violation of the secretion of digestive enzymes, incomplete digestion of food and strong gas formation occur, even with a small intake of carbohydrates. This happens against the background of diseases of the digestive system, in which the production of digestive enzymes decreases (chronic pancreatitis, enteritis).
Dysbiotic Causes. In the small and large intestines there are a large number of microorganisms that are also involved in the digestion of food mass. But if the ratio of the number of bacteria of normal microflora (lactobacilli, bifidumbacteria) and opportunistic flora (Peptostreptococcus, Escherichia coli, anaerobes) is disturbed, food is digested with an increase in gas formation. This disorder is called dysbiosis.
mechanical flatulence. With normal digestion and gas formation in the intestine, its excretion is disturbed. In this case, intestinal tumors, helminths, and dense stony stools can serve as a mechanical obstacle.
Dynamic Causes associated with a violation of the innervation of the intestine and a decrease in its peristalsis (movements of the intestinal walls that push through the food masses). In this case, food stagnation occurs, fermentation processes are activated, and gases accumulate.
Circulatory flatulence- the process of malabsorption of gases formed in the intestine with their neutralization in the liver.
high-altitude flatulence- an episodic state when, with a decrease in atmospheric pressure, excessive gas formation occurs in the intestines (the effect of opening champagne).
Dysphagia. Due to a disruption in the functioning of the nervous system (often after a stroke), the swallowing of food is disturbed, while a large amount of air is swallowed, which enters the stomach and intestines. Gases in the stomach can also be formed when they are thrown back from the intestines.

Increased gas formation in the intestines is caused by foods high in carbohydrates and fiber: legumes (soybeans, peas, beans), cabbage, onions, pumpkin, potatoes. Carbohydrates that release gas when broken down are starch, raffinose, sucrose, sorbitol, lactose.

Symptoms of increased gas formation

Flatulence is characterized by local and general manifestations. Local symptoms are directly related to the disruption of the intestines, these include:

abdominal pain - an increased volume of gas causes stretching of the intestinal walls, and reflex spasm with the development of pain;
bloating - an increase in the volume of the abdomen due to accumulated gas;
rumbling in the abdominal cavity - occurs due to the mixing of gas with the liquid part of the intestinal contents;
frequent belching - happens with dysphagia and the reverse flow of gas from the stomach;
diarrhea or constipation - these stool disorders always accompany increased gas formation, more often a tendency to loosen the stool develops;
nausea is the result of improper digestion and the content of toxins and products of incomplete breakdown of food in the intestines;
flatulation - the release of gas from the rectum, accompanied by an unpleasant odor (hydrogen sulfide) and a feeling of discomfort, normally episodes of flatulation occur on average up to 20 times a day.

General symptoms:

a burning sensation in the heart - occurs as a result of pinching the vagus nerve with swollen intestinal loops;
increased heart rate;
disturbances in the rhythm of the heart (arrhythmia);
insomnia - caused by intoxication of the body with partial absorption of gases from the intestines into the blood;
mood disorder - a tendency to depression, a feeling of awkwardness;
general malaise is the result of improper bowel function and incomplete absorption of nutrients.

Diagnosis of the causes of flatulence

The fact of increased gas formation is established on the basis of the above symptoms. To find out the causes of flatulence and adequate treatment, the following diagnostic methods are prescribed:

coprogram- laboratory study of feces, which makes it possible to judge the enzymatic deficiency of the digestive system;
stool culture for dysbacteriosis- used to confirm the violation of the ratio of intestinal microflora;
bowel x-ray with a contrast agent (barium mixture) - makes it possible to visualize mechanical obstacles to the movement of food masses and gases in the intestine;
fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (FEGDS)- using a special fiber-optic tube with lighting and a camera, an examination of the mucous membrane of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract is carried out, if necessary, it is possible to take a piece of tissue for histological examination (biopsy);
colonoscopy- the principle is the same, the large intestine is examined.

X-ray of the intestine with a contrast agent

How to get rid of gases in the intestines?

Treatment of increased gas formation begins only after it was possible to find out its cause. The main goals of therapy are to eliminate the cause of gas formation, normalize bowel function and eliminate symptoms. To combat the causes of flatulence, the following means are used:

Diet correction. It is necessary to limit the use of foods high in fiber and carbohydrates (legumes, cabbage, potatoes), carbonated water. Instead, it is desirable to consume foods that do not cause gas formation: lean meats and poultry (beef, rabbit, chicken), fermented milk products (with the exception of whole milk containing lactose), rice.
Probiotics- preparations containing live bacteria of the normal intestinal microflora (lactuvit, bifiform) to combat dysbiosis.
Laxatives. They are used in the case of a mechanical block to the movement of food in the intestines. In the case of a tumor, surgery is performed.
Means that enhance intestinal motility(cerucal) are effective in dynamic flatulence.

To normalize the work of the intestines use such means:

enzyme preparations- tablets that contain digestive enzymes, improve food digestion (panzinorm, pancreatin, mezim), are especially effective for pancreatitis and enteritis;
sorbents- bind and remove toxins from the intestines (phosphalugel, enterosgel);
defoamers- means that reduce the surface tension of gases in the intestine and improve its absorption.

Symptomatic therapy is aimed at reducing pain, for which antispasmodics (no-shpa, drotaverine) are used.

Persistent gases in the intestines can have various causes: overeating, impaired peristalsis. In this case, the patient develops belching and nausea. The main signs of gas formation in the intestines are manifested in the form of rumbling and seething in the abdomen, bloating, and pain.

1 Medical indications

Gas formation in the intestines is a natural physiological process that occurs in the human body. Normally, 600-700 gases are produced daily. They are produced by intestinal microorganisms. If gases are formed in the intestine above the norm, then flatulence develops.

Food that enters the intestines is a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria that inhabit the large intestine. One of the products of their vital activity are gases: nitrogen, oxygen. Normally, such secretions are odorless and are excreted from the body through the rectum.

The patient feels discomfort when the volume of gas released exceeds 900 ml / day. In such cases, the patient is tormented by gases with an unpleasant odor and flatulence.

There are several factors that affect gas formation:

lack of enzymes synthesized in the gastrointestinal tract;
high content of fiber and carbohydrates in food;
violation of peristalsis;
binge eating;
frequent stress.

With increased gas formation, the following symptoms are observed:

bloating, an increase in the volume of the abdomen;
belching when gas comes from the stomach;
when gas bubbles pass through the intestines;
nausea, if the process of digestion of food is difficult;
stool disorders: constipation or diarrhea;
flatulence - the exit of gas from the anus with a characteristic sound.

With a large volume of gases released, a spasm occurs in the intestine due to strong pressure on its walls and stretching, which provokes pain.

2 Symptoms of the disease

Gas formation is accompanied by a rapid pulse, arrhythmia, a burning sensation in the region of the heart. This is due to compression of the vagus nerve and pressure of the swollen intestines on the diaphragm. Due to intoxication of the body, the patient may experience insomnia, depression, mood swings, fatigue. There are several reasons for the formation of gases in the intestines:

a large amount of food high in fiber;
violation ;
stress;
airbrushing;
dysbacteriosis;
difficulty in passing food through the intestines.

Foods that are poorly digested begin to decompose and rot. This phenomenon provokes the appearance of gases with an unpleasant odor. Airbrushing is the swallowing of air along with food. This process is observed:

when eating "on the go";
when talking, smoking and drinking carbonated drinks with meals.

With dysbacteriosis, the balance of intestinal microflora is disturbed, which contributes to the activation of fermentation and gas formation processes. During pregnancy, special hormones are produced that help relax the muscles of the intestines, including smooth ones.

At the same time, the uterus increases, exerting strong pressure on the surrounding organs. Intestinal motility is impaired. There are difficulties with the movement of feces to the anus and their removal from the body. The decomposition process begins.

In newborns and children of the first year of life, it is observed, the causes of which lie in the imperfection of the child's body. The baby's intestines are not populated with the necessary bacteria to digest incoming food, which leads to gas and colic.

3 Diagnostic methods

To determine the cause of why gases are formed, it is necessary to diagnose. Previously, the doctor conducts a thorough examination, palpation and questioning of the patient. Then the specialist prescribes an examination using:

x-ray;
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
FEGDS;
colonoscopy;
coprograms;
bacterial or biochemical analysis of feces;
blood test;
lactose tolerance tests.

When probing, swelling may be felt on one side or in the middle of the abdomen. You can hear the sounds of rumbling and rumbling in the stomach. When you press on the stomach, pain appears. If an inflammatory process in the abdominal cavity is diagnosed, then there is tension in the muscles. With excessive gas formation, there is no voltage.

A coprogram is a study of feces through a microscope. It allows you to determine:

color violation;
consistency;
smell;
undigested fibers of meat, connective tissue, fiber;
hidden blood;
slime;
helminth eggs;
bilirubin.

According to the listed indicators, it is possible to diagnose inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, identify worms, suspect dysbacteriosis and food allergies. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity allows you to recognize a change in the size of the digestive organs, tumors, cysts. Before an x-ray, take the drug Barium Sulfate. Among the diseases that cause flatulence, the study reveals:

parts of the intestine swollen with gas and narrowing during spasms;
loops swell with pancreatitis;
stones in the gallbladder;
fecal stones;
tumors.

FEGDS (gastroscopy) is an examination of the stomach and esophagus using a miniature camera placed at the end of a flexible tube (endoscope). This diagnostic method is indispensable in the detection of stomach cancer, gastric and duodenal ulcers, esophagitis and reflux disease.

4 Elimination of increased gas formation

Colonoscopy is performed by a proctologist or endoscopist. With the help of a special probe, at the end of which a video camera is installed, the large intestine is filmed from the inside. The enlarged image is transferred to the monitor screen.

Bacterial or biochemical analysis of feces reveals dysbacteriosis. At the same time, the microorganisms that contribute to its development are precisely determined. With the help, abnormalities in the functioning of the liver and a decrease in the production of bile are detected. In this case, the digestion process is disturbed, intestinal motility slows down, gases appear in the abdomen.

raffinose (legumes);
sorbitol (sugar substitutes);
fructose (vegetables, juices, nectars);
pectins (fruit);
starch (corn, potatoes);
chewing gums, as they contain sorbitol. During chewing, air is swallowed, which enters the intestines;
fatty foods are replaced with boiled and stewed foods;
strong tea and coffee are replaced with herbal decoctions.

In the absence of an allergy to lactose, it is recommended to spend fasting days with kefir. During the day, you can drink up to 2 liters of kefir. The causes and treatment of the disease are individual. Therapy is prescribed by a doctor after examining the patient. Comprehensive gas treatment includes the following procedures:

etiotropic therapy;
pathogenetic therapy;
symptomatic therapy.

5 Tools used

If gases are observed in the abdomen, then etiotropic treatment is prescribed, aimed at combating certain ailments. The patient may be prescribed probiotics: Linex, Bifiform, Bifikol, Enterol, Acipol. Their action is aimed at the population of the intestines with beneficial bacteria. If the cause of the disease is a weakening of motility and obstruction of the stool, then laxatives are used: Bisacodyl, Duphalac, Senade, Gerbion, Slabilen, Glycelax.

To improve peristalsis, appropriate drugs (Cerukal) are used. If a tumor is found in the large or small intestine, then it is removed surgically. Pathogenetic therapy is aimed at improving metabolism, restoring local immunity and impaired functions. To do this, use drugs that include pancreatic enzymes: Pancreatin, Mezim, Panzinorm. Sorbents allow you to bind and remove toxins from the body (Enterosgel).

Activated charcoal is not recommended for a long period of time, as this drug removes useful substances from the body. If necessary, the patient is prescribed defoamers: Dimethicone, Simethicone. These drugs break down the foam in the intestines, improving absorption. Symptomatic therapy is aimed at reducing spasms and eliminating pain (No-shpa, Drotaverine). You can fight the accumulation of gases in the intestines with folk methods. For this, tinctures and decoctions are used.

6 Preventive measures

If the stomach boils and strong gases in the intestines leave, the parents of a newborn baby should know what to do. In this case, dill (fennel) water is used. For its preparation, dill seeds are used. For 1 tsp the fruit of the plant will need a glass of boiling water. The infusion must be filtered and taken cold. The resulting remedy is used to eliminate children.

Dill seeds can be replaced with cumin and anise fruits. The substances found in these seeds aid in digestion. The infusion is taken before meals. To prepare a decoction of licorice root, you need 1 tsp. raw materials and a glass of boiling water. The product is simmered in a water bath for 10 minutes. Can be used in the fight against gases freshly squeezed. The course of treatment lasts 10 days. Juice is recommended to drink half a glass 60 minutes before meals.

With obstruction, the patient is given an enema from a decoction of chamomile. For 3-5 days, the procedure is carried out at night. For 1 tsp chamomile flowers use 250 ml of boiling water. The broth is insisted on a water bath for 10 minutes. Then it is filtered.

To prevent digestive problems, it is recommended to choose foods for your diet carefully. With problems with the gastrointestinal tract, a diet is observed. Vegetables and fruits should be washed under running water before eating. If there is a problem of intolerance to certain foods, then they are not consumed. Food is taken in small portions (the volume should not exceed 250 ml) 4-6 times a day.

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

Physiology

Flatulence is a widespread phenomenon in which an excess of gases accumulates in the intestines.

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

Normally, the release of gases occurs in humans up to 25 times a day. They are odorless. An unpleasant odor is a consequence of compounds such as indole, skatole, hydrogen sulfide. They are decay products during the interaction of intestinal microorganisms with undigested food residues that enter the large intestine from the small intestine.

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.

The reasons

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

alimentary - physiological causes associated with the ingestion of the stomach, along with food, a large amount of air, as well as the use of foods excessively rich in fiber;
digestive - increased accumulation of gases in the intestine occurs against the background of an insufficient level of enzymes. In rare cases, the process can proceed as a result of a violation of the circulation of bile;
dyspiotic - flatulence occurs due to a violation of the normal ratio of 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 - in case of serious pathologies (peritonitis, intoxication of the body with feces in acute obstruction, with abnormalities in the development of the intestine), the formation and removal of gas from the intestine is difficult and slows down;
circulatory - flatulence manifests itself against the background of improper functioning of the circulatory system.

The causes of gases in the intestines are also more commonplace, among them:

smoking - along with tobacco smoke, a 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 production that cause discomfort include:

a feeling of fullness in the intestines, bloating;
in rare cases, mild pain of a single or permanent nature is possible, occurring in the stomach and esophagus, mainly after eating;
acute pain - a strong accumulation of gases in the intestine, stretches its walls, a reflex spasm is formed and, as a result, pain;
rumbling in the abdomen - occurs when a large amount of gas is mixed with the liquid part of the contents of the intestine;
frequent belching - occurs due to dysphagia (a disorder of the act of swallowing, in which a person swallows a large amount of air) and the reverse flow 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 is a rare and not entirely characteristic symptom that may indicate digestive disorders and, as a result, the content in the large intestine of a large amount of toxins and the remaining particles of undigested food;
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 is an obstacle to the free passage of gases. The syndrome is dangerous for its symptoms, which are often confused with the manifestation of heart failure, since this structure of the intestine causes severe pressure and pain in the chest area.
flatulation - gases leaving through the rectum have a strong, unpleasant odor. Normally, such episodes occur 15 to 20 times a day.

Symptoms of gas in the intestines can appear constantly or intermittently after eating certain foods. It is characteristic that discomfort and discomfort disappear after the discharge of gases or the act of defecation.

Signs of flatulence more often and brighter manifest themselves in the afternoon, when all systems and organs are working at full strength. Given that the symptoms of flatulence are not specific, 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

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

coprogram - taking feces for analysis, which allows you to detect a lack of enzymes responsible for the digestive process;
analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis - to identify possible disorders in the intestinal microflora.
x-ray of the intestine - to identify possible pathologies in the form of mechanical obstacles that prevent the movement of food, feces and gases in the intestine.
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 and abnormalities have been identified? In this case, the specialist can prescribe both the intake of special drugs and the adjustment of the diet.

Medical therapy

The following types of drugs are prescribed:

mezim forte, pancreatin, festal - preparations containing digestive enzymes. With their lack in the body, food particles are not digested properly, but decompose, causing the formation of a large amount of gases in the intestines for their processing;
cholenzim, vegetarin - prescribed to improve motor skills;
prebiotics: dufalac, hilak forte - preparations containing dietary fiber, which are an environment for the reproduction of 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, motilac, ganaton - are indicated to stimulate the passage of food boluses through the esophagus. They help to reduce the activity of bacteria and the formation of gases by them;
smecta, polyphepan - absorbents prescribed to absorb excessive amounts of gases;
antispasmodics: no-shpa, drotaverine - are prescribed to relieve severe pain with prolonged flatulence.

Diet

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

Basic rules for eating with flatulence:

Frequent meals, but in small portions (200 g each) up to 5-6 times a day. This allows the body to quickly break down foods, and the intestines to absorb the necessary trace elements and remove the remaining dietary fiber, preventing their decay 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 can not eat products that are incompatible with each other: salty - sweet, food enriched with coarse vegetable fiber and milk. Such a complex increases the load on the digestive tract and provokes increased fermentation.
All dishes are best consumed boiled, stewed, steamed or baked, in order to maximize the sparing effect on the digestive system.
The salt content in cooked meals should be limited so as not to provoke irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.
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 weight of clean drinking water without gas). It also prevents fermentation processes and ensures the timely removal of feces from the body.

Prohibited products

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

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

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

wheat bread, wheat flour crackers;
steamed poultry meat;
low-fat varieties of fish;
fresh greens;
fermented milk products containing beneficial bifidobacteria;
natural green tea without flavorings;
cereals on the water: oatmeal, buckwheat, rice;
scrambled eggs.

Folk remedies

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

To relieve discomfort and pain

4 tbsp. l. red rowan berries (can be replaced with 1 tablespoon of dill seeds), 3 tbsp. l. mint and the same amount of valerian mix. 1 st. l. herbal collection pour 1 tbsp. steep boiling water and leave for at least 60 minutes, tightly covering the dishes with infusion lid.

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

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

With severe bloating

1 st. l. dry chamomile, pour 200 ml of freshly boiled water, close the lid, wrap with something warm and leave for 30 minutes. Drink 100 ml of the prepared broth twice 30 minutes before meals. The decoction can be used with a feeling of severe bloating for the purpose of prevention at the same time or drink a course of 20 days. Every day a new infusion is prepared.

For the prevention of flatulence

2 cloves of garlic, 1 tbsp. l. salt, a pinch of dill (fresh or dried) and 5 leaves of black currant chop. The resulting mixture pour 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.