Occasional flatulence or releasing stomach gases through anus is a normal process. But, for those who produce excessive gases during the digestion process, it can become embarrassing, particularly if it makes sound, and gets even worse when it stinks.
You can use simple home remedies for flatulence and avoid all the discomforts and embarrassments.
The gases your release from your bottom are the result of what you eat and how your stomach digests what you eat. You can control flatulence with home remedies and diet control.
Flatulence can cause frequent gas releases with or without odor, belching, bloating and pain in the stomach. Usually flatulence is not an emergency, but if it is followed by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps or fever requires medical attention.
The microbial breakdown of foods generates hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane. Some of the other trace waste gases or compounds such as skatole and sulfur-containing substances cause the odor.
Before you treat flatulence, learn what causes it. That will help prevent it.
What Causes Flatulence?
A. Certain Foods and Drinks can Cause Flatulence
Flatulence with pain in the right side of abdomen can be a sign of peptic ulcer. However, occasional flatulence is generally caused by certain foods and it stops if you do not consume those food items again.
Some of the main causes of flatulence are mal-absorption of certain foods and lactose intolerance.
Some carbohydrates can't be easily digested and absorbed by the intestine. They move down to colon where they are broken down by bacteria causing gases released as flatulence through your bottom.
These food items include apples,artichokes, beans,broccoli, Brussels sprouts,cabbage, cauliflower, lentils, onions,prunes, pulses and raisins. Even the high fiber bran can produce flatulence, wind and bloating.
B. Specific Health Conditions are also Responsible for Flatulence
Certain health conditions such as indigestion, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease, lactose intolerance, gastroenteritis,mal-absorption and giardiasis can cause flatulence. You need to treat these underlying conditions to stop flatulence.
Swallowing Excess Air Produces Flatulence
Swallowing excess air can accumulate in the stomach and cause bloating and flatulence. You may swallow more air than required without even knowing it. Certain activities such as chewing gum, smoking, sucking on hard sweets and not chewing food slowly and thoroughly can cause flatulence.
If you wear loose fitted dentures then also you can swallow air unknowingly which will ultimately lead to flatulence.
D. Certain Medicine will Create Flatulence
Many medicines have side effects. Some of the medicines produce flatulence as a side effect. These medicines include orally consumed anti-fungal medicines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen,some laxatives and statins.
Home Remedies for Flatulence
Following home remedies will help you to stop excessive flatulence. First few remedies are preventative measures and involve lifestyle and dietary changes. Then there are remedies which will treat the flatulence to give you instant relief.
1. Stop Consuming Milk Products
This is valid for those people who have lactose intolerance but are not aware of it. Stop drinking milk and consuming other milk products for two days or so to see if the excessive flatulence stops. If it stops then it certainly is lactose intolerance. Get it checked with a health care provider to confirm it.
If you do not have lactose intolerance, then do the following.
2. Eat Slowly
Eating fast is one of the main causes of flatulence. People eat under stress without realizing that they are eating fast and swallowing lots of air along with it. This excess air needs an exit causing flatulence.
Eating is a process you should enjoy. Eat slowly and enjoy every bite. Eating quickly just to fill the stomach will not only cause flatulence but will cause a lot of health problems in the long term.
3. Avoid Flatulence Causing Foods
There are many food items that are capable of causing excessive gas production in the intestinal tract. These products are otherwise healthy food items therefore reduce their consumption and replace it with other fruits and vegetables. All types of beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and other food of the family of vegetables, Brussels sprouts, onions, prunes, raisins, pear, apple Etc.
While you stop certain types of foods and drinks to reduce flatulence, you should also consider changes in the way you cook your food.
Adding garlic, coriander and turmeric to your food will greatly help in reducing flatulence. Turmeric is antibacterial and particularly helps in neutralizing the gases caused by the bacteria in the colon.
Remember some carbohydrates such as beans , lentils and pulses are difficult to digest and are pushed in the colon where bacteria interact and cause gases. Turmeric will help neutralize these gases.
So, prepare food with these herbs and improve your digestion process to reduce flatulence.
In addition to the above dietary controls, you can use the following very powerful remedies to stop flatulence.
4. Ginger
Ginger is one the best help to stop flatulence and gas pains. Drink ginger tea 2-3 times during the day. Ginger has anti-bacterial capabilities.
- Cut a half inch of ginger root piece.
- remove the skin and finely chop it
- put it in a pot, add one glass of water and boil it
- strain it, cool it and drink it
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another great remedy for stopping flatulence. Dilute ACV in the ratio of 1:10 with water and drink it. Do it 2-3 times a day.
In addition to these remedies begin some exercise. Mild exercises like walking for 40 minutes, swimming and even gardening will improve your blood circulation and improve metabolism resulting in less flatulence.