Causes of frequent flatulence and bloating. Bloating and gas - causes, symptoms and treatment. Dairy products or lactose

Bloating – how to deal with it?

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The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

What it is?

Bloating characterized by abdominal distension, cramping, cramping pain, and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen. Often bloating is combined with belching or hiccups. In some cases, bloating is accompanied by such severe pain that the patient breaks out in a cold sweat and even falls into unconsciousness.

A healthy adult constantly has about 900 milliliters of gases in the intestines, which are released by microbes. Between 100 and 500 milliliters should be evacuated along with feces. And with bloating, more than 3 liters of gas accumulates in the intestines.

Causes of bloating

1. Swallowing air or gases with food.
2. Eating large amounts of gas-forming foods.
3. Lactase deficiency.
4. Intestinal dysbiosis.
5. Diseases of the digestive tract: chronic pancreatitis, enteritis, colitis.
6. Impaired intestinal motility.
7. Stagnation of blood in the intestinal area ( characteristic of liver cirrhosis).
8. Mechanical obstructions in the intestinal walls ( neoplasms, polyps).

During meals a certain amount atmospheric air is swallowed along with food, but if you chew and talk at the same time, the volume of this air can be quite serious and cause bloating.
Carbonated drinks contain carbon dioxide, which can cause a feeling of fullness in the stomach.

With age, the human body decreases the production of the enzyme necessary for digesting milk sugar - lactose. Therefore, drinking whole milk may cause bloating.

At intestinal dysbiosis number of microorganisms inhabiting digestive tract, and their balance is disrupted. The amount of putrefactive microflora has increased, causing fermentation and rotting of food. As a result, a lot of foul-smelling gases are released.

For diseases of the digestive system ( pancreatitis, for example) fewer digestive enzymes are produced. Food is not completely digested and rots in the intestines with the formation of an abundance of gases. In such cases, bloating occurs some time after eating.

Diagnosis of bloating

If bloating is observed periodically, and also if it is combined with pain, belching, heartburn and other unpleasant and disturbing phenomena, you should visit a doctor.
There is a possibility that the cause of the malaise is not in dietary errors, but in internal diseases.

Suggested examinations:

Ultrasound of organs abdominal cavity
colonoscopy
Laboratory tests of stool and blood.

Bloating during pregnancy

This is a very common ailment during pregnancy.

Causes:
1. During pregnancy, the pancreas produces fewer enzymes, so food is less digestible.
2. Starting from the 15th week, the size of the uterus rapidly increases, it puts pressure on the intestines and “prevents” it from performing its functions, including the timely evacuation of feces and gases from the body.
3. The hormone progesterone, found in large quantities in the blood of pregnant women, relaxes all smooth muscles internal organs, which leads to bloating and constipation.

If bloating lasts more than a day, this is a reason to consult a doctor, since there is a possibility of exacerbation of a chronic gastrointestinal disease (gastrointestinal tract).
If bloating was observed before conception, it can be assumed that the woman’s diet requires correction.

What to do?

In any case, it is better to eliminate gas-forming products from the diet.
You can take carminative drugs that have a local effect ( espumisan, activated carbon, smectu).

Bloating in newborns

Bloating is observed in 50% of babies.
Cause of bloating – physiological dysbacteriosis. Intestinal microflora in newborns is not yet formed, putrefactive bacteria produce gases that are not evacuated from the intestines in time, since its motor function is also not yet perfect.

Signs of bloating in a child:

The baby is naughty
Refuses to eat
Twists his legs and pulls them towards his stomach
The face turns red

What to do?

Give a light abdominal massage: movements in a circle clockwise,
Place the baby on his stomach on a heated diaper
Give a drug to drink to remove gases ( espumisan, babynos)
Use gas outlet pipe. Its tip is treated with Vaseline and inserted into the anus for a quarter of an hour.

If bloating is accompanied by an increase in temperature, diarrhea, it is necessary to urgently show the baby to the doctor.

Bloating before menstruation

Bloating of the lower abdomen before menstruation is one of the signs of premenstrual syndrome. The reasons for this phenomenon are not yet fully known. But they think it's all about change hormonal balance leading to fluid accumulation in the lower abdomen.

What to do?
Change the ratio of estrogen and gestagens impossible in the body. But you can relieve bloating and other ailments:

using sedatives, vitamins IN, as well as trace elements magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc,
reducing the number table salt, spicy seasonings on the menu,
ten days before the expected menstruation, completely give up chocolate, strong tea and coffee.

Some doctors believe that increased symptoms of PMS occur when the mineral and vitamin balance in the body is disturbed.

Bloating after surgery

After laparoscopic operations, swelling and discomfort in the abdomen, sternum and skin. In some patients, the pain even radiates to the collarbone. The reason for this is the effect of gas introduced into the abdominal cavity during surgery.

What to do?
Wait 7 days and everything will go away on its own. With repeated procedures, bloating and all unpleasant sensations usually go away faster: within 2 days.

Treatment for bloating

1. If the cause of bloating is poor nutrition, it should be corrected,

2. Stop smoking, drinking carbonated water, chewing gum,

3. If pancreatic function is impaired, take enzyme preparations: pancreatin, mezim, festal. The drugs will help digest food and eliminate the cause of increased gas formation. It is better to select the dosage together with your doctor. For an adult patient this is usually 20,000 enzyme units. The drug should be drunk with or immediately after meals, with plenty of water.

4. If the cause of bloating is intestinal dysbiosis, the intestinal microflora should be normalized.

5. For temporary relief of bloating or to eliminate isolated cases, the following are suitable: Activated carbon (1 tablet per 10 kilograms of patient weight), smecta, espumizan, gastal. These remedies will quickly and effectively eliminate bloating caused by overeating and an unbalanced diet.

Folk remedies for bloating

1. 2 tsp. finely chopped underground parts of dandelion, a glass of purified water room temperature. Let sit overnight and pass through a sieve. Drink 50 milliliters four times a day before meals.

2. 20 gr. parsley fruits, leave 200 milliliters of water at room temperature for a couple of half an hour, let cool, pass through a sieve. Use the infusion 1 tbsp. five times a day.

3. 1 tbsp. l. Grind dill seeds, add 300 ml of boiling water. Leave covered for 3 hours, squeeze through cheesecloth. Drink 100 milliliters three times a day between meals.

4. Take 10 g. dill oil and mix with 100 ml of water at room temperature. Use 1 tbsp. l. 3 – 6 times a day.

5. Carrot seeds crush, consume up to three times a day, 1 tsp.

6. 1 hour l. Brew dry wormwood with a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour, pass through cheesecloth. Use 1 tbsp. three times a day, a quarter of an hour before meals.

7. 25 gr. underground parts elecampane pour 1 liter of boiling water and leave overnight. Use when bloated.

8. Mix 20 gr. chamomile, 10 gr. oregano and caraway. 2 tbsp. l. collection, brew 12 liters of boiling water, leave overnight, pass through a sieve. Drink 100 milliliters four times a day.

Diet for bloating

Allowed to use:

Meat: veal, chicken, turkey,
Dairy: hard cheeses, yoghurts,
Cereals:

Each of us at least once in our lives has been faced with the question: why is there a bloated belly? Sometimes this condition is accompanied by hardness of the peritoneum and painful sensations that make a comfortable existence impossible. And the rhythm of life modern man requires constant being in working condition.

No doctor will draw conclusions about what disease is developing inside the patient’s body based on just this single symptom, however, mandatory will send him for further examination. In this material we will try to figure out what a bloated belly signals and where to go for help.

It must be said that the feeling bloated belly- a phenomenon perceived by each person from the position of his subjective view. The nuances associated with this sensation may vary depending on many factors. However, a significant number of patients, when describing their own condition, reproduce the following:

they feel fullness inside the abdomen;
feel as if they are “inflated” with air;
experience pain or unpleasant pressure.

Sometimes this condition is not fraught with danger, and is an isolated manifestation that goes away on its own after some time, or gradually fades away after taking medications appropriate to the situation.

At the same time, bloating and hardening of the abdomen can be a signal from our digestive system, indicating the development of various pathological processes.

Sometimes a feeling of a hard and full abdomen occurs in a patient with the following problems:

overweight;
psychological problems.

Psychological factor - unusual reason swelling

Having gained a few more pounds, these patients imagine that their stomach is unnaturally full, but in reality it is just subcutaneous fat and a stomach full of food. In this case, a gastroenterologist (digestive system specialist) will not be able to provide the help that the person needs and will be forced to send him to:

nutritionist to compile proper diet and diet;
to a psychologist to eliminate internal states that interfere with the weight loss process.

In a word, to understand exactly what problem caused you to feel bloated, just listing the symptoms will not be enough. It is recommended to consult a doctor and undergo a series of various laboratory and instrumental examinations.

Video - Bloating: causes and treatment

Inflated belly in healthy people

Unfortunately, even excellent health cannot protect you from walking around with a bloated belly. This happens to each of us at least several times in our lives. The reason for this is the accumulation of gases inside the intestines.

This phenomenon received the following name: flatulence. Excessively accumulated gases in the longest of our organs not only burst out randomly, but also, being produced quite intensively, put painful pressure on the walls of the container.

The reasons for the formation of flatulence can be very different. Let's look at some of them.

Rapid absorption of food or aerophagia. When a person has a small amount time for a meal (for example, in the morning, being late for work), he tries to eat the food on his plate as quickly as possible. Simultaneously with the intense and frequent swallowing of products, it also captures air, which then descends through the esophagus into the stomach, and ultimately passes into the intestines, accumulating inside and causing an attack of flatulence.

Drinking large amounts of sparkling water– another possible reason for painful bloating. Bubbles that pleasantly tickle the cavity of our mouth while absorbing drinks help us create the illusion of more effective removal thirst. It is precisely because of this circumstance that most people prefer to drink water artificially saturated with gases. Today it is difficult to find on store shelves even mineral water without carbon, as people prefer a more effervescent version of the drink.

The following should be noted:

the benefits of mineral water saturated with gases are several times lower than that of non-carbonated water;
All that huge amount of gases that filled the bottles, as they are absorbed, moves inside your intestines, where they create a real hurricane.

However, you don't have to worry. If the reason for your bloated belly really lies in the accumulation of excess air, you don’t have to worry, because:

part of it will be released along with belching through the esophagus;
gases will either gradually leave the intestines naturally, or are absorbed into the intestinal walls;
An antifoam tablet quickly helps with such bloating.

Another reason for the appearance of gases inside the intestines is their release during consumption of foods that cause fermentation. These include food consisting of rough vegetable fiber, as well as other elements of our daily nutrition, for example:

vegetables (for example, cabbage);
greenery;
Rye bread;
potato;
products made from white flour;
legumes (beans, peas), etc.

Carbohydrate foods containing starch pose a danger associated with increased gas formation.

In addition, a favorable environment for the formation and accumulation of natural gases is created by:

alcoholic drinks;
sparkling water (as we said above);
sugar substitutes;
sweets;
other products.

The list of foods fermenting in the stomach is quite extensive. People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal diseases should be especially wary of consuming them. In addition, it affects the formation of gases after eating food:

individual sensitivity;
food allergy.

If you do not suffer from diseases, are not allergic, and do not have a special relationship with any dishes or their individual components, we advise you to relax.

The next reason that can provoke the accumulation of gases inside the intestines, in a sense associated with diseases digestive system, leading to heartburn. To extinguish excess acidity and get rid of uncomfortable sensations, many people, instead of specialized medical supplies prefer to drink “cocktails” made from soda and water. This folk remedy helps really effectively, however, it has a rather aggressive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, and at the same time forms gases in the intestines.

Inflated belly due to various diseases

It happens that increased gas formation and bloating is a much more consequence serious reasons than the banal consumption of the wrong products. In this section of the material we present to you the most frequently encountered ones.

Reason #1. If there are disturbances in the functioning of organs that secrete enzymes, bloating may develop. This phenomenon is called “enzymopathy”. If it is present, the body does not have the ability to properly process and absorb the substances entering it. For example, a very common type of enzyme deficiency occurs in which it is difficult to separate lactose into its component elements:

glucose;
fructose.

The desired digestive extract is produced by the small intestine. If its work is disrupted, all dairy products entering the human digestive system are not absorbed properly.

Most often, people who are aware of their fermentopathy associated with the processing of lactose try to avoid dairy products and dishes that contain them, because they know that they are guaranteed a bloated belly.

Reason #2. The second pathological condition in which the body produces a large number of gases – imbalance between:

beneficial bacteria;
harmful microorganisms.

It must be said that this phenomenon is temporary, arising subsequently from the influence of various factors that served as a favorable reason for the growth of pathogenic microflora, for example:

due to taking antibiotics;
other drugs that negatively affect the intestines.

However, despite the fact that the sensations you will experience are not pleasant, rest assured that the body will find the strength to recover on its own in the near future. Help him eat healthy and clean food, and you will soon forget about bloating.

Reason #3. Pancreatitis is a disease that, unfortunately, is very often diagnosed today. This term hides a very dangerous process - inflammation of the human pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes supplied to small intestine to digest food. Everything is logical here: disruption of the gland leads to a decrease in the activity of its secretion, which means there are not enough enzymes to digest incoming food. As a result, the undigested mass descends further into the large intestine where, as a result, it simply continues to rot, releasing, naturally, gases.

You can cope with this disease:

if you go to the hospital on time;
start taking medications prescribed by your doctor;
radically change your diet;
develop a diet.

Until the underlying pathology is eliminated, attempts to eliminate annoying symptom(bloating) will only have a short-term effect.

If you have pancreatitis, it is important to eat right. Examples of daily diet can be found in

Reason #4. IBS, or irritable bowel symptom, is another factor that can cause bloating. This disease is accompanied by impaired intestinal motility, resulting in a person:

constantly experiences pain in the abdomen;
suffers from flatulence;
experiences frequent dyspeptic disorders;
feels frequent urge to defecation.

It is impossible to eliminate the desired pathology as such, simply because the true nature of its occurrence has not yet been determined. It is believed that the reasons behind the development of IBS are related to:

with mental stress;
constant physical fatigue.

It often happens that both of these phenomena are interconnected. So, for example, a person gets tired at work, completely exhausted, and at the same time receives a small wages and gets no satisfaction. As a result, enormous stress accumulates, affecting the functioning of the longest organ of the body.

visiting a psychologist;
normalization of loads;
eliminating symptoms (pain, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, etc.) with the help of medications.

Reason #5. Intestinal obstruction can also affect the accumulation of gases. This pathological condition is usually caused by the following factors:

tumor, etc.

As a result of the accumulation of natural gas and feces in the intestines, which cannot be released, the stomach becomes noticeably distended. If the contents of the intestine are not removed in time, most unpleasant consequences, associated not only with further gas accumulation, but also:

the formation of tumors (or growth, if they already exist);
general poisoning of the body;
rupture of the intestine due to excessive fullness, etc.

The diseases listed above are not the entire list of reasons that can cause your stomach to swell; however, they are the ones that most often worry patients who come to the medical institutions Worldwide.

Who to turn to for help

If bloating is a problem that bothers you quite often, you need to pull yourself together and go to the hospital to consult a doctor who specializes in the gastrointestinal tract human body- gastroenterologist.

Based on your complaints, the doctor will make an assumption regarding the pathology developing in you and prescribe a series of examinations carried out in a laboratory and using medical equipment. Their list will include the following procedures:

examination of stool for microflora;
analysis biological fluids(bile, stomach acid);
ultrasound examination of organs;
A colonoscopy (examination of the intestines using an endoscope) may also be needed.

Whatever the problem is identified, doctors will prescribe adequate treatment for it, and at the same time will help you:

adjust the daily menu;
set up a meal routine.

Thus, products that form gases or have harmful effects will be excluded from the diet. Negative influence on the intestines with certain pathologies. Most likely, they will also be recommended physical exercise, thanks to which the body is strengthened and saturated with the energy necessary to fight the disease.

Let's sum it up

The anxiety created by a bloated belly is not just aesthetic. Intense manifestation of bloating leads to the appearance severe discomfort: quite noticeable pain and inability to lead a normal lifestyle. Elementary, you can’t sit in the office, every second risking spoiling the air not only for yourself, but also for your colleagues.

It is possible to eliminate bloating by treating the cause of its formation

Let's look at the main groups of reasons that cause the stomach to become bloated in the table below.

Table 1. Causes of bloating

Let's say right away: proper nutrition And healthy image life is the best prevention against a bloated belly, because if you don’t have hereditary pathologies, these two components will protect the intestines from the development of pathological processes, and therefore from filling with gases.

If you notice unpleasant symptoms, or if they become more frequent, consult a doctor. By self-medicating, you risk aggravating the situation and turning innocent gas into a real problem.

Many people are concerned about problems associated with increased gas formation in the stomach and bloating. However, not everyone is ready to openly admit these problems even to themselves, not to mention those around them. And few people believe that these problems deserve so much close attention to go with them to a gastroenterologist. And completely in vain. After all, a bloated belly and gas formation in the abdomen are symptoms that can hide many serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, these pathological phenomena require serious and thorough treatment.

Description of the phenomenon

Gas formation in the intestines, which often causes bloating, is scientifically called flatulence. Why is this happening? Air and other gases are always present in the stomach and intestines in some quantity. Some air is swallowed along with food (this process is called aerophagy). Excess air from the stomach usually comes back out during belching, however, some of it reaches the intestines. But for the most part, the source of origin of gases in the gastrointestinal tract is different. They are formed as a result of food processing and are produced by intestinal microflora. They are partially absorbed by the intestinal walls, but a significant part of them comes out of anus.

This is a completely normal process. U healthy person About 600 ml of gases come out per day. This process occurs up to 13-20 times a day. However, in case of flatulence, the volume of gas leaving the intestines increases greatly and can reach 3-4 liters. Naturally, all the gas cannot immediately leave the intestines, and as a result, a person’s stomach becomes distended.

Many people believe that the gas contained in the intestines is hydrogen sulfide. But in fact, there is very little hydrogen sulfide in intestinal gas; the main part of it consists of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, oxygen and hydrogen. There are also odorous compounds present, such as methyl mercaptan, which mainly (along with hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and skatole) gives intestinal gas an unpleasant odor.

Most of the gases in the large intestine are concentrated along the walls, and are enclosed in bubbles that form foam.

Why does flatulence occur and the stomach swell?

There can be many reasons why flatulence and bloating occur. In any case, bloating is a symptom indicating that digestive system something is wrong with the person. However, it is impossible to determine a specific disease based on this symptom alone. After all, increased gas formation is observed in 90% of gastrointestinal diseases.

Also, increased gas formation and bloating can be a consequence of a person’s unhealthy lifestyle and diet. First of all, it is worth mentioning the main causes of increased aerophagia:

talking while eating
smoking,
use of low-quality dentures,
chewing gum,
food on the go.

Also, a significant amount of gases can enter the stomach as a result of drinking carbonated water, kvass, beer, which can also lead to bloating of the abdominal cavity.

Sometimes increased gas formation and bloating may be transient. For example, if a person sleeps at night in one position, then gases can accumulate in one of the intestinal sections, and the next morning there will be symptoms of flatulence. However, morning flatulence is a transient phenomenon.

The main causes of flatulence include poor nutrition and an irrational diet. Some types of food can cause increased fermentation in the intestines and stomach, which causes increased gas formation and bloating. Everyone knows that plants of the legume family, especially peas, have a similar property. And indeed it is. But in fact, it is not only legumes that can cause an increase in gas production. Also, increased fermentation can be caused by eating sweets, cabbage, certain types of meat, and dairy products.

It is worth mentioning separately about another cause of flatulence - lactose or milk sugar intolerance syndrome. This is the name of a disease in which a person’s gastrointestinal tract does not produce the enzyme lactase, which breaks down milk sugar– lactose. Excess milk sugar in the gastrointestinal tract can also lead to a phenomenon such as bloating.

In addition, other sugars - fructose, sucrose, raffinose (sugar found in legumes) and starches, as well as sorbitol (sugar alcohol) - are poorly digested in the gastrointestinal tract. And if some of the sugar remains in the intestines, then it becomes favorable environment for the growth of bacteria that produce gases. Thus, sweet foods can also cause flatulence.

Another syndrome that can cause increased gas formation and bloating is celiac disease. This is the name of a condition in which a person’s gastrointestinal tract is unable to digest gluten, a protein found in many cereals.

In addition, eating heavy, overly spicy and fatty foods does not contribute to digestion.

Other diseases that may cause increased gas formation and bloating:

enteritis,
gastritis,
colitis,
hepatitis,
cirrhosis,
cholecystitis,
thrombosis of the intestinal walls,
helminthic infestations,
biliary dyskinesia,
pancreatitis,
adhesions in the intestines,
intestinal obstruction,
Crohn's disease,
tumors
intestinal stenosis.

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons that can cause bloating. If increased gas formation is caused by any functional intestinal disease, then, as a rule, it does not go away even if the diet is adjusted.

Additional factors that, as a rule, are not the direct cause of flatulence, but can contribute to its development:

severe infections
inflammatory processes,
intoxication of the body,
sedentary lifestyle,
excess weight.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is another possible cause of bloating and flatulence. This is a very common disease, affecting 20% of people, most of whom are women. Its occurrence is influenced increased level stress, depression and neuroses.

Dysbacteriosis

Dysbacteriosis is also among possible reasons flatulence. Dysbiosis is not considered to be a separate disease; rather, it is a syndrome that occurs as a result of other gastrointestinal diseases or as a result of the use of antibiotics. It is expressed in a decrease in the number of lacto- and bifidobacteria in the large intestine and an increase in the amount of gas-producing pathogenic microflora.

Flatulence and bloating in women

Flatulence and bloating can also be caused by premenstrual syndrome in women, adnexitis, endometriosis, fibroids, ectopic pregnancy. In addition, pregnant women often later also face flatulence - due to the increased size of the uterus, pressing on the abdominal organs.

Symptoms

Flatulence is not only an increased release of gases from the intestines. This syndrome is also accompanied by symptoms such as bloating, pain, heaviness in the abdomen, intestinal colic. In most cases, however, abdominal pain goes away after gas leaves the anus. This condition may also be accompanied by constipation or diarrhea, nausea, decreased appetite, bad aftertaste, bitterness in the mouth and even vomiting. A swollen abdomen can put pressure on the diaphragm, which, in turn, can cause negative symptoms associated with the respiratory system or heart - shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, tachycardia. Also, flatulence and bloating often lead to insomnia, irritability, depression and other neurological symptoms.

In most cases, the release of gas and bloating in itself does not pose a direct threat to life. However, a person’s quality of life with this syndrome can sharply deteriorate. That is why this condition requires diagnosis and treatment.

Flatulence and bloating in combination with diarrhea can be a consequence of diseases and pathological conditions such as enterocolitis, IBS, helminthic infestations, dysbacteriosis, colon infections, cirrhosis.

Bloating and pain syndrome may indicate chronic enterocolitis, Crohn's disease, peritonitis, intestinal obstruction, biliary dyskinesia, acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis.

Flatulence and bloating with simultaneous constipation may be symptoms chronic gastritis, colitis, intestinal obstruction, liver failure, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis.

With enteritis, a bloated abdomen and pain in the navel area that appears after eating are often observed. Also with enteritis, diarrhea, deterioration of the skin and hair, and weight loss are observed.

Colitis is often accompanied not only by flatulence, but also by diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Biliary dyskinesia is usually accompanied, along with flatulence, impaired intestinal motility, atonic constipation, and intoxication of the body. Cholecystitis and hepatitis lead to a lack of bile production, which, in turn, leads to flatulence, pain in the right hypochondrium and diarrhea.

It should be remembered that bloating, accompanied by sharp pain, and often such phenomena as bleeding from anus, tension in the abdominal wall, retention of stool and gases, drop in pressure, increase in temperature, is called “ acute abdomen" With this syndrome, you should not guess what disease caused it, but you should immediately call a doctor.

Treatment

In most cases, eliminating such unpleasant phenomena can be done at home. Treatment methods should be selected so that they are aimed both at removing the negative symptoms, and directly to eliminate the disease that caused it.

Medicines

Various medications can be used to reduce gas formation. First of all, these are defoamers or carminatives, such as Espumisan. The principle of their action is based on the fact that they destroy the foam accumulated near the walls of the colon, as a result of which the gases contained in it come out.

Also useful will be drugs - enterosorbents that absorb the contents of the gastrointestinal tract. Although they usually do not absorb gases themselves, they can absorb bacteria and carbohydrates, fermentative and, as a result, increased gas emissions. At home, they are most often used to treat flatulence and combat bloating. the following varieties sorbents:

Activated carbon,
Smecta,
Polysorb,
Enterosgel.

Also, drugs that increase tone are highly effective for flatulence and bloating. muscle walls stomach and intestines, for example, metoclopramide. These drugs speed up gastrointestinal emptying. They are often prescribed before endoscopic and x-ray examinations.

Often, increased gas formation can be caused by dysbiosis - a lack of lactobacilli in the large intestine and the dominance of pathogenic microflora provoked by this deficiency. In this case, probiotic preparations are suitable - Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Lactofiltrum.

In the event that flatulence is caused insufficient production bile and digestive enzymes necessary for the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, enzyme preparations are needed - Mezim, Pancreatin, Creon, containing these enzymes in the required quantity, as well as choleretic agents.

Antispasmodics - drotaverine (noshpa) and papaverine, are also often used for the syndrome of increased gas formation and bloating. They help remove muscle spasms, due to which various departments gases may accumulate in the intestines. In addition, antispasmodics can relieve pain and intestinal colic.

Diagnostics

As already mentioned, there can be many reasons that cause flatulence, as well as leading to bloating. And independent attempts to treat the syndrome may not help. Only a gastroenterologist, after conducting a thorough diagnosis of the patient and analyzing the medical history, is able to identify the source of the problem - an irrational lifestyle and diet, or some serious gastrointestinal disease.

To diagnose the causes of increased gas formation, methods such as radiography, colonoscopy, computed tomography of the abdominal cavity, blood and stool tests can be used.

What can be done in case of a sudden attack of flatulence?

However, an attack of flatulence can occur suddenly, and a person may not be able to immediately run to the doctor. What means can quickly remove this? unpleasant symptoms?

To the means fast action that help primarily include the following:

antispasmodics (Noshpa),
defoamers (Espumizan),
drugs that increase the tone of the walls of the gastrointestinal tract (metoclopromide),
sorbents (activated carbon),

Diet for flatulence and bloating

Diet plays important role and helps prevent flatulence and bloating. In addition, diet is necessary in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases that provoke these phenomena.

A diet for flatulence and bloating involves, first of all, avoiding foods that can cause increased gas formation. These are dairy products, primarily whole milk, butter bakery products, fruits and vegetables that cause strong fermentation - grapes, legumes, White cabbage, corn, sugar substitutes - xylitol and sorbitol.

Fatty meats, chocolate, sweets, ice cream, and alcohol are also excluded.

The gastrointestinal tract of each person has its own characteristics, and sometimes flatulence can be caused by a product that seems quite harmless at first glance. Therefore, the problem can be solved by simply eliminating this product from the diet. In terms of selection suitable diet The patient can be helped by a food diary, in which all the dishes he eats are recorded. Thus, you can find those products that provoke unwanted gas formation.

It is best to eat as often as possible – 5-6 times a day. However, the interval between different episodes of eating should be at least 3 hours. It is advisable not to change the time of eating so that the body gets used to producing enzymes at a certain time. Food should be warm, not too hot and not too cold. Preference should be given to thermally processed food - boiled or stewed, but not fried and, especially not smoked. It is recommended to drink plenty of liquids – 1.5-2 liters per day.

It is recommended to include in the menu products that improve intestinal motility - vegetable salads, cereals, low-fat dairy products, dietary varieties of meat and fish. An optimal diet in the absence of chronic gastrointestinal diseases should lead to relief from flatulence and bloating.

Other treatments for flatulence and bloating

Just one diet and medications will not help the patient if the unpleasant symptoms are caused by his incorrect lifestyle. Therefore, you should avoid stress, organize good rest, show more physical activity, engage in physical therapy.

Flatulence in infants

Flatulence and a bloated belly are common in infants. Flatulence occurs in approximately 80% of children under one year of age. This is due to the fact that children’s intestines are growing rapidly, while the amount of enzymes produced is not yet at a level sufficient to digest food. This phenomenon can cause the child to experience pain. To prevent bloating, the child must be periodically placed in vertical position to make it easier for gases to escape. Also, while breastfeeding, it is necessary to ensure that the child wraps his lips tightly around the nipple. The baby should be fed on demand, otherwise the baby will get hungry and suck too greedily, which will lead to a large amount of swallowed air and, ultimately, to bloating. To facilitate digestion, the child can be given enzyme preparations, herbal carminatives, for example, dill water.

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All people, after eating, produce a small proportion of gases that do not interfere with the normal functioning of the body, which is eliminated during bowel movements. If severe bloating appears, the patient experiences a feeling of heaviness, as if his stomach is inflating from the inside. In this article we will reveal the causes of this condition and tell you what to do in this case.

Causes of the disease

Strong gas formation can be permanent or temporary. The first type occurs as a result of pathologies of the abdominal cavity. Temporary develops due to digestive disorders, accumulation of gases or liquid. When there is a disturbance in the functioning of the abdomen, the reasons can be very diverse: from an incorrectly formulated diet, to serious problems with health. The most common of them are:

Uncontrolled consumption of foods containing large amounts of fiber. Easily digestible carbohydrates begin the fermentation process, resulting in heaviness in the abdomen.
During eating, air is swallowed. This is especially true if eating occurs while moving, rushing, or talking. A person's stomach swells and he feels nauseous./
Large food consumption. Eating large amounts of food at once often leads to this problem.
Impaired intestinal motility often leads to irritable stomach syndrome.
When the stomach swells immediately after eating, this may indicate diseases such as gastritis, pancreatitis, enteritis.
Often the cause of this condition is intestinal dysbiosis. After the body weakens protective properties, the intestines are attacked by foreign bacteria, resulting in severe flatulence.
It is not uncommon for the stomach to swell during pregnancy. In the first trimester, this is due to increased production of progesterone, in the third, due to increased uterine pressure.
Chronic constipation.
Insufficient production of digestive enzymes.

Symptoms of bloating

Many people do not pay attention to the fact that their body produces strong gases. Signs pathological condition gradually progress, while the person unnoticed by himself gets used to the discomfort.

If the stomach is swollen, it causes a lot of inconvenience, he consults a doctor, usually complaining of the following symptoms:

increased abdominal volume,
bright rumbling in the gastrointestinal tract, heard in a supine position,
strong tension in the diaphragm, which is observed when bending forward,
after eating, the patient is forced to regurgitate air,
feeling of heaviness
stool disorder,
intestinal colic,
flatulence.

As a rule, the above symptoms disappear after the gases pass. If the patient has an advanced course of the disease, then he may feel signs of general intoxication such as:

headache,
feverish condition,
weakness,
complete loss of appetite
shortness of breath,
insomnia,
arrhythmia,
decreased body immunity.

When to Seek Medical Care Urgently

Usually people don't pay attention if their stomach is swollen. However, there are symptoms that should you see a doctor as soon as possible, as they may indicate that serious illness, How intestinal obstruction. These include:

asymmetrically swollen abdomen;
belly hard to the touch;
blood streaks in stool;
increased body temperature;
The stomach hurts and swells very much;
sudden weight loss;
chest pain;
nausea accompanied by vomiting.

Diagnosis of bloating

If a patient has bloating, only a doctor can tell you what causes it and what to do after an examination. First of all, during the conversation he will try to identify clinical picture diseases and find out what the patient ate.

After which he will prescribe the following examination:

stool analysis to determine intestinal microflora,
study of bile,
study of gastric juice,
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs,
bacterial examination of stool.

Only based on the results obtained, the attending physician should prescribe adequate treatment.

Treatment of the problem

Only a specialist can tell you what to do if your stomach is regularly bloated. First of all, it is necessary to find out and eliminate the cause of the bloating. Treatment of this pathology is based on the following principles:

diet correction;
treatment of the disease that caused bloating;
prescription of drugs that restore motor function intestines;
therapy that helps restore intestinal microflora;
elimination of gases accumulated in the body.

Daily exercises, walks fresh air will also help get rid of flatulence.

Drug treatment

The following medications help treat bloating:

Activated carbon is taken before meals, 2-3 tablets, previously dissolved in water.
Smecta and Polyphepan remove gases and toxic substances.
Antispasmodics, for example, No-shpa, Spazmalgon, will help relieve pain.
Espumisan can be used not only for temporary bloating, but also for those that have developed as a result of chronic diseases.
White coal is swollen alimentary fiber, which collect gases and toxins.
If the pathology is caused by a dysfunction of the pancreas, then digestive enzymes will help eliminate the cause, for example, Festal, Mezim Forte.
For dysbacteriosis, drugs that normalize intestinal function are prescribed, such as Lactobacterin, Bifidumbacterin, Linex.
Duphalac activates the activity of beneficial bacteria and suppresses pathogenic ones.

Diet for bloating

To avoid bloating, nutritionists recommend frequent but small meals. You need to eat slowly, while chewing your food slowly. Undesirable products for this condition:

grape;
bananas;
legumes;
apples;
pears;
fresh bakery;
salty fish;
full fat milk;
pearl barley.

For bloating, the following foods are recommended:

stewed lean meat;
lean fish;
pureed soup;
lean poultry;
cereals;
grenades;
beet;
green tea;
prunes.

Often, eating fried and fatty foods can cause an overly bloated stomach. Provocateurs should be completely excluded this process. It is better to replace milk with fermented milk products, and wheat bread with bread made from coarse grains.

ethnoscience

Has proven itself in the treatment of bloating ethnoscience. However, it must be remembered that any traditional methods can be used after consultation with a specialist and in combination with conservative treatment.

Most often, dill is used for these purposes. To do this, take 1 tbsp. l. dill seeds, pour ½ l. boiling water Leave for 3 hours in a warm place. Adults should take 1/3 cup 3 times a day before meals. Dill can also be prepared as a decoction. 1 tsp. dill seeds pour 1 cup cold water, simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Cool, drink 1 glass twice.
Pour pre-chopped parsley root (1 teaspoon) into 1 glass of cold water. Let it brew for 15 minutes, then bring to a boil, strain, and take a small sip every hour. Drink 1 glass of decoction throughout the day.
Take 1 tsp. thyme, dill seeds, pour 1 cup of boiling water, let steep for 10 minutes, then bring to a boil, take half an hour before meals every 60 minutes.
For the next infusion you should take 1 tbsp. l. fennel, valerian and 2 tbsp. l. mint. 2 tsp. the resulting collection, pour 250 ml of boiling water, leave for half an hour, strain. Drink ½ glass twice.
Ginger root also helps well, it stimulates digestion and kills pathogenic bacteria. To eliminate flatulence, it should be dissolved immediately after eating.

Exercises for flatulence

Therapeutic gymnastics, which can be done at home, will help eliminate bloating, since it does not require special training. However, before you begin, you need to be sure that there are no serious changes in the gastrointestinal tract.

You should lie on your left side and pull your legs as close to your stomach as possible. It is recommended to lie in this position for 1 minute, then carefully turn onto your back, then onto your left side, also pulling your legs towards your stomach;
get on all fours and do take a deeper breath, while raising the pelvis and head, lowering the back lower. Then slowly arch your back, pressing your head to your chest as you exhale;
from the previous pose you need to set left leg forward, knee right leg push back. Raise your arms up and stretch in this position for 8 breaths.

Eliminating increased gas formation is not difficult at home; to do this, you should balance your diet, walk more and do simple exercises.

Causes of bloating

Bloating, the causes of which we will now try to find out, can be constant or occur from time to time. A constant increase in volume, as a rule, indicates diseases of the abdominal cavity, for example, enlarged organs, tumor, fluid accumulation, obesity. Periodic bloating is caused by indigestion and may also be accompanied by the accumulation of fluid or gases. Constant bloating differs from periodic bloating in that it does not go away for a long period of time.

Improper digestion is the most common cause of abdominal discomfort. During normal digestion, part of the food is absorbed and is a source of energy for organs and tissues, and the remaining components are excreted from the body as waste. Some of the waste produces odorous gases, which are also easily eliminated from the body. With improper digestion, sulfur-containing gases are formed in large quantities and accumulate in the intestines, stretching it and causing bloating of the abdominal cavity.

Increased gas formation can be a reaction of the body to certain foods, sometimes due to individual intolerance to any component. The following foods usually cause bloating after eating due to gas accumulation:

fruits (eg apples, grapes, peaches);
vegetables (for example, cabbage, onions, beans);
milk and dairy products;
whole grain products, bran;
canned juices and fruit drinks;
sparkling water;
artificial sugar substitutes (fructose, sorbitol).

The formation of gases also occurs in some diseases, for example, food allergies, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome.

However, it is not only foods that cause gas that cause bloating. Causes of discomfort and even painful sensations may be as follows:

Gas in the abdomen causes discomfort, but this is not necessarily associated with a medical condition. Visiting a doctor, of course, will not harm, but in some cases it may be an unnecessary precaution. If bloating is accompanied by pain, diarrhea or constipation, bleeding from the anus or weight loss, immediate medical attention is needed.

Not only adults, but also children of different ages subject to discomfort. Abdominal bloating in newborns is usually due to fluid accumulation (permeability Bladder) or gastrointestinal disorders. Constipation, diarrhea, cirrhosis of the liver and hernia are far from full list causes of bloating in children. Overeating and constipation, as well as swallowing air while eating or crying are the most common ones.

Treatment for bloating

Experts say fluid accumulation begins in the extremities and can be detected before it spreads to the abdominal area. Therefore, let us pay attention to bloating, the treatment of which will be proposed here, which arose for a number of other reasons.

1. If you suffer from constipation, get rid of it. Low fiber and fluid content in the daily diet, as well as a sedentary, sedentary lifestyle can cause constipation. Therefore, it is necessary to include whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits in your diet. Cabbage, beans, beans and other fiber-rich foods can initially cause gas, so they need to be introduced into the diet gradually, accompanied by plenty of liquid. Regular fluid intake will facilitate absorption and improve fiber tolerance, thereby preventing bloating while combating constipation. And obligatory execution physical exercise at least 20 minutes daily. Physical activity helps speed up metabolism and bowel movements.
2. Avoid carbonated and fruit drinks and canned juices. Drink water with lemon, lingonberries or cranberries, mint infusion or green tea. Some of these drinks will not only relieve thirst, but also help eliminate excess liquid, and they also contain a number of components (vitamins, antioxidants) necessary for the body.
3. Avoid canned foods that contain large amounts of MSG. Sodium intake should be no more than 1.5 g per day.

4. Eat slowly, chewing your food well. Hasty eating of large pieces of food leads to the simultaneous swallowing of air, which causes bloating. Chewing for a long time also leads to improved digestion and eating less food at one time. In addition, you should also eat small meals 5-7 times a day.
5. Stop chewing gum. Chewing gum also causes you to swallow air, which can cause bloating. If you can't do it right away, first replace chewing gum caramel or dried fruits.
6. Limit your consumption of artificially sweetened foods and drinks. Experts say that sugar substitutes also cause bloating.
7. Try using folk remedies from bloating. These include a decoction of mint, dill or parsley, ginger, and natural pineapple juice. To safe food products Yogurt containing probiotics also helps against bloating ( beneficial bacteria). It is likely that some of these remedies will be useful in your case.
8. If there is a suspicion of food allergies, consult your doctor for confirmation. You should not make a diagnosis yourself and refuse foods that contain many beneficial components (for example, milk or cereals). You can reduce the amount of their consumption or consume, for example, dairy products with more low content lactose (yogurt, cheese).

Lifestyle changes can help cure bloating. However, don't treat this process like jumping off a diving board. Change your habits gradually, step by step, and each step you take will bring you closer to better health and better well-being. Leave the discomfort and discomfort caused by bloating a thing of the past.