Intestinal gases, called scientifically flatulence, are produced by bacteria that ferment the food during digestion.
The gases are involuntary, being produced naturally by the body, and, most of the time, does not smell very badly. However, when the person eats very fast, makes use of antibiotics or has a diet rich in protein, especially with the regular consumption of pork, there is greater production and higher concentration of gases, and can smell very badly.
Main causes of gases
The formation of gases is greatly influenced by the habits and lifestyle of the person. Thus, the main causes of intestinal gas are:
1. Swallowing air during meals
When you eat very fast, due to stress or anxiety, for example, there may be air in the body, which causes the formation of gas, which is called this condition of intestinal meteorism. In addition, swallowing air during meals makes the belly swollen and promotes belching. Understand more about intestinal meteors.
2. Eating foods that are difficult to digest
Some foods, mainly carbohydrates, proteins and fats, have a slightly slower digestion and increase the fermentation in the intestine, causing the formation of gases. The main foods responsible for excess intestinal gas are:
- Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, milk;
- Chickpeas, peas, lentils, potatoes;
- Beans, sweet potatoes, yogurt, eggs, wheat bran;
- Drinks with gas, black beer, onions, asparagus.
Combining high-fiber foods with foods that are high in fat also encourages the formation of gas, so avoid eating wholegrain bread with cheddar cheese, for example.
However, a food that can cause gas in one individual may not cause in another, and therefore, if you notice the appearance of gases, try to know what food was causing it and avoid it. Learn how diet can reduce gas production.
3. Taking antacids or antibiotics
The use of antacids and antibiotics can alter the intestinal flora and thus the fermentation process of microorganisms. In this way, a greater production of intestinal gases occurs.
4. Do not practice physical activities
The lack of physical activities causes the digestion process to slow down, increasing the fermentation of food. In addition, sedentary people tend to have constipation, which also favors the formation of intestinal gas due to the stool stays in the intestine for longer. Find out what the consequences of sedentarism are.
5. Drinks with gas
They facilitate the swallowing of more air and therefore eliminating the fizzy drinks can greatly improve the need to burp and eliminate gas.
6. Constipation
As the stool stays longer in the intestine they increase fermentation and make it difficult to escape the gas, so it is recommended to end constipation by making changes in food.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of intestinal gas are:
- Abdominal distension, swollen or swollen belly;
- General malaise;
- Abdominal pain in the form of stitches;
- Flatulence.
If these symptoms are causing great discomfort, what you can do is take a tea for gas or take a medicine for gas that you buy at the pharmacy, even without a prescription. See how gas treatment can be done.
Remedy for intestinal gas
Some good remedies for intestinal gas remedies are:
- Dimethicone (Luftal);
- Activated charcoal;
- Fennel tea with lemon balm;
- Star anise tea with cinnamon stick.
In addition, a great natural remedy for stopping intestinal gas is to practice some exercise on a regular basis, such as cycling or walking for 30 to 40 minutes daily. Learn how to prepare home remedies for gases.
Intestinal gases in pregnancy
The formation of intestinal gases is somewhat greater in pregnancy and this is also due to the slowness of the digestion that occurs at this stage as a consequence of the increase of progesterone in the bloodstream.
The most common symptoms of gas in pregnancy are:
- Abdominal pain in the form of a stitch;
- Noises in the belly;
- Abdominal distension;
- Feeling full of stomach.
In addition, constipation, also common in pregnancy, can aggravate the situation.
To avoid excessive gas during gestation, it is important to avoid foods that cause gas, drink plenty of water and practice some form of physical exercise such as walking daily. Learn how to eliminate the gases.
