The person, who does it, is too ashamed to admit, whereas other people around him are totally disgusted and wonder who has done it. It is that embarrassing feeling that no one would want to be put through especially in public. Usually, the symptoms of flatulence are painless, but sometimes it causes stomach cramps.
Understanding Flatulence
Though flatulence seems to be unnatural and unnecessary, it is a normal part of existence. Thus, while it is normal for one to flatulate, too much of it can cause abdominal discomfort. A normal healthy person flatulates an average of 14 times daily. About half of this gas is swallowed air. The remaining is a by-product of the fermentation of stomach contents done by intestinal microbes. This half is responsible for the offensive odor. The best way to control flatulence is to watch what you eat. Usually, the gas is expelled out within 5-7 hours of eating indigestion-causing foods.
The most common symptoms are abdominal discomfort and pain. In severe cases, there can be belching and gurgling noises in the abdomen.
Causes of Flatulence
Listed below are some of the known causes of flatulence.
Wipe-out of good bacteria
Excessive flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive problems can happen due to lack of good bacteria in the guts. This could be due to years of taking antibiotics, eating an excessive amount of sugar and refined flour, eating cakes and pastries, and non-vegetarian food, which could wipe-out colonic flora.
Allergy and intolerance
Lactose intolerance and allergic reactions to milk also increase gas output. Foods with high fructose, corn syrup and yeast can cause stomach cramps and gas formation.
Beans
A complex carbohydrate called oligosaccharide present in beans is hard to digest. Generally, beans of smaller size like moong cause less flatulence as compared to larger beans like rajma. Soaking the beans overnight, discarding the soaked water and cooking beans well can reduce the flatulence.
Hi-fibre & carbohydrate diet
Usually a diet with lots of starchy foods like potato, wheat, and pasta can cause flatulence. Sometimes suddenly switching to a high-fibre diet can also cause discomfort and belching.
Few vegetables
Onions, turnips, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and ginger can cause gas formation too in some people.
Health problems
Health problems like anemia, diarrhea, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids and stomach infection cause flatulence too. So, if the diet is normal, and the problem worsens, it would be advisable to get a proper health check-up done to diagnose an underlying problem.
Given below is a tea recipe for reducing gas and indigestion. You may have this tea a couple of times a day.
Anti-flatulence Tea:
Ingredients
- 1 tsp dried ginger powder (soonth)
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
- 2 tbsp jaggery
- 1½ fennel seeds (saunf)
- 1 tea bag
- 1 cup of water
Procedure:
- Boil fennel seeds in water for 2 minutes and strain.
- Dip the tea bag in the hot water for a minute to flavour the water.
- Finally, add other ingredients and mix till jaggery dissolves. Have immediately.
Benefits of the ingredients used
- Cardamom: It lends a sweet flavour to food and has great medicinal properties. It activates our appetite by acting on salivary secretions. It helps in reducing flatulence and strengthening digestive activities. An Ayurvedic preparation that contains a concoction of cardamom, cloves, ginger, coriander seeds is an effective & safe remedy in digestive problems like excessive gas formation.
- Ginger: It is an excellent herb that reduces and even prevents flatulence. An anti-inflammatory compound called oleoresin relaxes the muscles in the digestive tract so food will not get blocked in the intestine which produces flatulence. A mixture of dry ginger, asafoetida in warm water acts as an instant antidote to stomach upset induced by flatulence.
- Fennel Seeds: Fennel has volatile oils and compounds like terpenoids which prevent abdominal spasms. An instant infusion prepared with crushed fennel seeds in warm water can be relied upon for quick relief when flatulence strikes.
- Jaggery: Is a rich source of calcium and adds a wonderful flavour to the tea.
Home Remedies
- Refrain from food products like milk, beans, and cabbage, which do not suit you.
- Add anti-gas foods like ginger, garlic and fennel seeds to your food preparations.
- Improve the status of gut flora by having probiotics like yogurt and buttermilk, and probiotics enriched foods and supplements.
- Avoid going empty stomach. Have small frequent meals.
- Avoid carbonated beverages and chewing gum as they cause you to take in more air, thus increasing flatulence.
Following these simple steps can help reduce the discomfort and more so the social embarrassment caused by flatulence. For a personalised diet plan to manage any digestive disorders, call toll-free 1800-266-0607 and Book an Appointment with Health Total experts.