Gut Health - What Bloat Tell About Diseases

When are flatulence associated with illness??

We all fart. Every day - sometimes more and sometimes less. Nevertheless, flatulence is embarrassing for most people, which is why they suppress it and only do it quietly or alone. The food also gets air into the intestine. The germs that live there produce hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and methane during digestion. The mixture of air and gases travels through the gut until it escapes through the anus as "pups". Greater accumulation of gases can also cause abdominal pain. Sometimes bloating also indicates illness. We show when a visit to a doctor is advisable.

Why do some flatulence stink so unpleasant?

It can be extremely embarrassing if we have to fumble in public. Especially when other people are present, a strong stinking fart is difficult to hide. In such situations, of course, we are ashamed of ourselves. But there are ways to reduce the strong smell. Researchers found out why some winds stink so much.

Pupse can be odorless or very stinking. Sometimes they also indicate a disease.

Diet greatly affects the smell of puff

Scientists found out in their research that our diet is responsible for letting the various types of odors when blowing. Some foods cause stinking flatulence, other foods reduce bad odors. Farts are a mixture of 59 percent nitrogen, 21 percent hydrogen, 9 percent carbon dioxide, 7 percent methane and 4 percent oxygen.

The oxygen arises either by swallowed air or by chemical reactions in the intestine. Researchers at Monash University in Melbourne have found that a product called cysteine ​​is the main cause of foul-smelling farts. Cysteine ​​is mainly found in dairy products, meat and eggs.

What causes starchy food in the stomach?

The consumption of starchy food forces the human stomach to process the starch first. So the focus is shifted away from the protein, which eventually reduces the production of hydrogen sulfide. "In general, flatulence is a sign that the intestines are working," says Dagmar Mainz, spokeswoman for the Association of Registered Gastroenterologists. On average, we have to let eight to ten times a day from us. Why is Pupsen often loud? The greater the pressure on the sphincter, the louder the pups.

Whether quiet, loud, stinking or neutral, that depends on what we have eaten. "Raw vegetables in the form of fruits and vegetables, cereals and dairy products can promote flatulence," explains Mainz. Flatulence also causes foods such as legumes, cabbage, fresh bread and onions. "Large amounts of carbonated drinks can also provide for an increased gas content in the intestine," says Ursula Hilpert-Mühlig of the Association of German Naturopaths. Also, whether we have stress, eat too fast or move too little - all this can also favor the frequent occurrence of winds.

How many pups are (still) normal?

Not a few people suffer from a real bloated stomach. They think they are constantly bloated and have to keep puffing all the time. Those who fumigate more than 20 times, and also have abdominal pain, should consult a doctor. In some cases, bloatedness may be so pronounced that it causes heart pain. Doctors refer to this phenomenon: "Roemheld Syndrome". Not infrequently, those affected think, they suffer a heart attack. It is the air that presses on the diaphragm causing discomfort.

But it may also be an incompatibility. "It may also be due to an intolerance such as lactose or fructose," explains Mainz. Milk sugar is found in cream, cottage cheese or ice cream. Fructose in fruit.

Irritable bowel or intolerances sometimes cause

Another option is the so-called irritable bowel. Around 30 percent of Germans suffer from the different forms of irritable bowel syndrome. So far, medicines help little to no. In the long term, patients need to change their diet and find out which foods are responsible. Patients usually suffer from bloating, diarrhea - sometimes constipation - and spasmodic pain in the intestinal area. But even in the stomach and esophagus symptoms such as fullness after eating, stomach ache, heartburn and nausea and vomiting may occur. In many cases, food is the trigger for the complaints. Affected then can help an individual diet.

Tummy ache and indigestion can be alleviated in many cases with a light stomach massage. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com)

Disturbed intestinal flora

But it is also possible that the intestinal flora is disturbed. In this case, the trillions of bacteria in the gut are out of their natural balance. Symptoms are constipation, diarrhea, bloating. Then only helps to dispense with foods that puff. Sport can revive the bowel and keep tight winds off. If there is a milk sugar intolerance, this can be quickly determined with a test at the doctor. Concerned people also notice it when the flatulence increases after eating quark or other dairy foods. Unfortunately, a lactose intolerance is not curable. However, the discomfort can be reduced by giving up and taking lactate. It makes sense to avoid food with milk sugar. "It's best not to do this on your own, but only after the doctor has clarified whether the diagnosis is actually correct," explains Bettina Sauer of Stiftung Warentest in Berlin. The same applies to fructose intolerance.

Simple home remedies for flatulence can help lessen the discomfort caused by the bloated abdomen. Humid-warm envelopes have proven to be helpful. These are placed on the stomach so that the intestines can calm down. It also distracts from the stomachache. Hilpert-Mühlig recommends the four-winds tea in case of flatulence. Included are caraway and fennel seeds, peppermint leaves and chamomile flowers. In health food stores, the teas are available. The tea should be drawn for 10 minutes, then poured through a sieve. "Four cups of it should be drunk daily until improvement occurs," says Hilpert-Mühlig. For food should be well chewed and not eaten hastily. Less stress and a lot of rest and relaxation also help.

Helps a digestive liquor in flatulence?

Non-medical practitioner Carsten Reimer advises against: It is not recommended to drink a so-called "digestive schnapps" after eating. "A schnapps only anesthetizes the stomach nerves and relieves so only short term feeling of fullness." However, alcohol loads the digestive tract, "because the liver now has to reduce additional fat."

Behavioral changes against flatulence

Even small behavioral changes can prevent bloating. Those who take their time for eating, chewing slowly, eating a healthy diet and, if possible, do not talk much about eating, can successfully prevent bloating. Because with fast food and many speeches, large amounts of air are swallowed, which then gets into the digestive tract. A walk after the meal additionally helps the digestion. Anyone who also pays attention to eating vegetables and high-fiber foods can not do anything wrong. Furthermore, it is advisable to drink enough liquid, even during the meal. In addition, it is advisable to drink enough fluid, even during the meal.

Movement can do a lot of good to avoid disturbing winds and stomach pinches. Anyone who is actively active or even physically active has less problems with the intestines. (Sb)