What causes intestinal gas?

• It has been determined that there is a constant 30-200 cc gas in the digestive system of a healthy adult and produces an average of 700 cc gas per day.

• Intestinal gas consists of nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2) and methane gas (CH4). These gases are often produced by undigested foods that reach the large intestine and the intestinal pressure rises up to 200 mm Hg.

• It has been determined that every healthy person emits gas through the anus (flatulence) 15-20 times in 24 hours on average, and those who have a low-fiber diet produce an average of 215 ml of gas per day, and those who have a fiber-rich diet an average of 705 ml per day.

• Intestinal gases are actually odorless, but with the growth of some bacteria in the intestine, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is produced and gives the intestinal gas a foul odor like rotten eggs.

Causes gas increase in the intestine?

If abdominal discomfort or abdominal distention continues despite burping, this indicates a problem within the abdominal cavity. The person expels the abdominal gas through burping from the top or bottom of the breech (flatulence). Excessive gas in the intestine; It occurs as a result of eating foods quickly or without chewing or digesting well, or as a result of an increase in the production of bacteria in the small intestine or large intestine. Consumption of high-fiber foods due to constipation can also cause abdominal bloating, but does not cause an increase in intestinal gas. Excessive gas in the abdomen is a condition that seriously affects people socially and can limit their lives. In the vast majority of these people; It is observed that the complaints continue despite the use of burping, flatulence or gas medications. It is known that intestinal gas increases in women during premenstrual periods. Excessive gas condition in the intestine can only be scientifically proven by the presence of more than 10,000 bacteria in 1 ml of intestinal fluid sample taken with the help of a catheter advanced from the nose to the beginning part of the small intestine (jejunum).

What situations can be mixed with excessive gas in the intestine?

Chronic constipation

Restless bowel syndrome (IBS)

Air swallowing

Excessive anorexia (anorexia)

• Obesity

Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (in liver, kidney or heart diseases)

Digestive system tumors

Growing organs (spleen, liver, etc.)

Intestinal obstruction

Lactose, fructose, sorbitol intolerance

Pelvic floor problems

What causes an increase in bacteria in the gut?

Fat, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals that we take with foods are absorbed in the small intestine and if there is a disruption at this stage, these substances may be deficient. It has been determined that there are more than 500 different microbes (bacteria) in the intestines of healthy people. In case of excessive increase in intestinal bacteria, especially fat and carbohydrate absorption is impaired. Sweet and starchy foods may increase complaints. In the USA, it has been determined that there is an excess of 40% of intestinal bacteria in diabetic patients with chronic diarrhea (diabetes). Hart et al. In their studies conducted in 2002, it was determined that the number of microbes (bacteria) in severe intestinal infections can reach up to 1014 and thus even exceed the total number of cells in the human body.

What symptoms does an increase in bacteria in the gut show?

• Excessive abdominal bloating after meals

Abdominal pain

Chronic diarrhea

Constipation

Soft and foul-smelling stools

• Weakness

• Anemia (due to B12 deficiency due to intestinal malabsorption)

Depression

Posture disorder (leaning towards the abdomen or forward)

Nutritional deficiency

Weight loss

Slimy stool (mucus)

• Abdominal bloating worsens with carbohydrate, fiber and sugar intake

Which examinations are made in the presence of excessive gas in the intestine?

Direct abdominal radiography

Gastroscopy

Sigmoidoscopy

Colonoscopy

• Enteroclysis

Stomach emptying time

Large intestine transit time

• Ultrasonography

Computed tomography

Absorption tests (lactose, fructose, sorbitol etc.)

Hydrogen / methane breath test

What causes foul-smelling gas removal?

It is necessary to distinguish between foul-smelling degassing and increased degassing. Causes of bad smelling flatulence (flatulence):

Restless bowel syndrome (IBS)

Inflammation in the large intestine (infectious colitis)

Inflammatory bowel disease

Absorption in the intestine (malabsorption)

Celiac disease

If the bad-smelling gas removal resolves within a few days, an inflammatory condition in the large intestine is considered in the foreground. However, the fact that foul-smelling gas has been going on for months indicates an underlying problem. In this case, various tests such as sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, some blood tests to investigate Celiac disease, breath test, fluid sample from the small intestine are performed. In the presence of such a problem, it would be beneficial to apply to a Gastroenterology Specialist.

Why is the gas outlet in the intestine blocked?

Gas flow can be blocked at any point in the digestive system between the esophagus and the anus. Blocking of this flow for any reason causes abdominal distension and abdominal distension as a result of accumulation of gases and fluids. If this obstruction progresses, it may lead to intestinal knotting or intestinal obstruction. Gas release in the intestine may be delayed in some diseases.

• Excessive consumption of fatty foods

Chronic constipation

Stool petrification (fecal impaction)

• Diabetes (Diabetes)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Diseases that cause gas in the intestine

Lactose intolerance

Restless bowel syndrome (IBS)

Dumping syndrome

Celiac disease

Pancreatitis

Inflammatory bowel disease

Diabetes (diabetes)

• Eating disorders

Reflux disease

Intestinal knotting

• Stomach ulcer

How can excess gas in the intestine be prevented?

Diet

• It is beneficial to reduce the amount of food intake and increase the number of meals.

• If there is an intolerance to sugars such as lactose, fructose and sorbitol, their use should be avoided.

• Lactose-free milk consumption prevents the production of excessive gas.

• As some bacteria and lactose are broken down in yogurt, abdominal bloating is less common.

• The consumption of beans, lentils, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions, whole wheat bread, carrots, apricots and prunes can cause excessive gas in some people.

• It is helpful to avoid beverages such as carbonated drinks, soda and beer.

• A gluten-free diet is appropriate for patients with celiac disease.

Medicines

• Simethicone

Activated charcoal

Drugs that increase digestive system movements (prokinetic): neostigmine, cisapride, domperidone, metoclopropamide, tegaserod, erythromycin

• Drugs that relax smooth muscles (antispasmodic): mebeverine, otilonium, trimebutin, etc.

• Probiotics: taking some living beneficial microbes (bacteria) as supplements. Among them; Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, etc. countable. Probiotics are effective against intestinal microbes (bacteria) named Listeria monocytogenes, Escherischia coli, Yersinia enterolytica, Enterobacter cloacae and Enterococcus faecalis, which can be harmful to the body and this condition is called "antibacterial effect".

Some antibiotics: rifaximin

Osmotic laxatives: Magnesium hydroxide, magnesium citrate, magnesium sulphate, sodium phosphate, sodium sulphate, lactulose, sorbitol, glycerin suppositories)

Chlorine channel activators: lubiprostone, linaclotid

Tricyclic antidepressants: amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, clomipramine, nortriptyline, opipramol, protriptyline, trimipramine