Some Interesting Facts on Flatulence
FLATULENCE. Breaking wind. Passing gas. Call it what you like, it is actually a sign of a healthy body and diet. But it can often be a source of embarrassment, as breaking wind in public is considered socially unacceptable.
Did you know the average person produces between 400 and 2,400 millilitres of wind a day? With an average of 1.5 litres, it is enough to fill a balloon. Men tend to break wind more often than women, on average 12 times a day compared to seven for women.
When it comes to smell, about half the population produces methane gas, which is not smelly, while the rest produce hydrogen sulphide gas, which stinks. This depends on the kind of bacteria that are present in our bowels, which is largely determined by our genes and diet.
What causes us to break wind: Gas is a by-product of the digestive process. As the bacteria in the large intestine breaks down eaten food and causes it to ferment, it produces different types of gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulphide. Much of these gases are absorbed back into the body. The rest is expelled as flatus.
Flatulence is due to the build-up of these gases, causing fullness or discomfort in the abdomen. Air swallowed while talking or eating also contributes to the discomfort and bloated feeling, especially if it cannot escape as a belch through the mouth. Increased gas production may signal a slowing down of the intestines for a number of reasons. If it is serious enough, a medical evaluation is in order.
Foods that contribute to the cause: Carbohydrates and foods high in fibre such as bread, bran, beans, potatoes andfruit are the main culprits of producing excessive gas. Others like garlic, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and even milk can produce a lot of wind. Carbonated drinks, whipped cream, angel (sponge) cake, deli meats which have added sulphite, beer and some white wines, especially cask white wines, also contain excess gas.
Other factors: Hurried eating or gulping, talking while eating, dental, nose or palate deformities can cause gas to build up in the bowels.
Constipation is another factor, as it slows the passage of food in the intestines and increases the chance of fermentation, which then traps the gases produced. Giardia, a common parasitic infection of the bowel, can also cause excessive gas to build up in the bowels.
What you can do to reduce flatulence: * Eat minimal to moderate amounts of whipped foods, beans and cabbages, and be aware of other foods that seem to promote or produce plenty of gas * Avoid carbonated drinks * Be aware of your breathing patterns to discover if you may be swallowing air when you sigh, gasp or breathe heavily * Do not talk when your mouth is full * Eat and drink at a slow pace, and be sure to chew your food thoroughly * Drink enough fluids, and be sure to exercise regularly to prevent constipation * Physicians have other ways to treat recalcitrant gas. An evaluation may also reveal a more significant cause such as a medication, heart disease or liver disease.
There are many products out in the market that can also help minimise the amount of wind you produce. These include peppermint-based products and even a flatulence filter, an American-made charcoal-filled cushion that promises to absorb 90 per cent of bad odour! The most recommended anti- flatulent remedy, however, is charcoal tablets. When consumed orally, charcoal tablets are able to absorb gaseous substances in the intestines that cause bloating and abdominal discomfort, thereby relieving flatulence. Charcoal tablets provide a two-fold capacity: to prevent toxin absorption and to enhance toxin elimination.
Charcoal is available in the form of "loose tablets", meaning that they disintegrate rapidly into micronised fine particles of charcoal in the intestines, providing a large surface area coverage and high absorptive capacity. The charcoal particles will seek to bind toxic substances in the intestines to prevent them from entering blood circulation. These bound substances will be directed to re-enter the intestinal tract through the processes of diffusion and active secretion in bile. They will then be driven out of the body or excreted along with the stools.
Charcoal tablets are also safe for consumption as they are a physiological product (not absorbed into the body) and they present no side-effects. They also do more than eliminate toxin. Charcoal is found to reduce pain and inflammation, the common characteristics of flatulence, diarrhoea and even food poisoning.
Remember, flatulence may be a symptom of a significant disease, but it is usually harmless. Do consult a doctor or physician if flatulence is persistent or severe, or if there is chronic abdominal pain.
New Straits Times (Malaysia), Aug 10, 2003
Did you know the average person produces between 400 and 2,400 millilitres of wind a day? With an average of 1.5 litres, it is enough to fill a balloon. Men tend to break wind more often than women, on average 12 times a day compared to seven for women.
When it comes to smell, about half the population produces methane gas, which is not smelly, while the rest produce hydrogen sulphide gas, which stinks. This depends on the kind of bacteria that are present in our bowels, which is largely determined by our genes and diet.
What causes us to break wind: Gas is a by-product of the digestive process. As the bacteria in the large intestine breaks down eaten food and causes it to ferment, it produces different types of gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane and hydrogen sulphide. Much of these gases are absorbed back into the body. The rest is expelled as flatus.
Flatulence is due to the build-up of these gases, causing fullness or discomfort in the abdomen. Air swallowed while talking or eating also contributes to the discomfort and bloated feeling, especially if it cannot escape as a belch through the mouth. Increased gas production may signal a slowing down of the intestines for a number of reasons. If it is serious enough, a medical evaluation is in order.
Foods that contribute to the cause: Carbohydrates and foods high in fibre such as bread, bran, beans, potatoes andfruit are the main culprits of producing excessive gas. Others like garlic, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and even milk can produce a lot of wind. Carbonated drinks, whipped cream, angel (sponge) cake, deli meats which have added sulphite, beer and some white wines, especially cask white wines, also contain excess gas.
Other factors: Hurried eating or gulping, talking while eating, dental, nose or palate deformities can cause gas to build up in the bowels.
Constipation is another factor, as it slows the passage of food in the intestines and increases the chance of fermentation, which then traps the gases produced. Giardia, a common parasitic infection of the bowel, can also cause excessive gas to build up in the bowels.
What you can do to reduce flatulence: * Eat minimal to moderate amounts of whipped foods, beans and cabbages, and be aware of other foods that seem to promote or produce plenty of gas * Avoid carbonated drinks * Be aware of your breathing patterns to discover if you may be swallowing air when you sigh, gasp or breathe heavily * Do not talk when your mouth is full * Eat and drink at a slow pace, and be sure to chew your food thoroughly * Drink enough fluids, and be sure to exercise regularly to prevent constipation * Physicians have other ways to treat recalcitrant gas. An evaluation may also reveal a more significant cause such as a medication, heart disease or liver disease.
There are many products out in the market that can also help minimise the amount of wind you produce. These include peppermint-based products and even a flatulence filter, an American-made charcoal-filled cushion that promises to absorb 90 per cent of bad odour! The most recommended anti- flatulent remedy, however, is charcoal tablets. When consumed orally, charcoal tablets are able to absorb gaseous substances in the intestines that cause bloating and abdominal discomfort, thereby relieving flatulence. Charcoal tablets provide a two-fold capacity: to prevent toxin absorption and to enhance toxin elimination.
Charcoal is available in the form of "loose tablets", meaning that they disintegrate rapidly into micronised fine particles of charcoal in the intestines, providing a large surface area coverage and high absorptive capacity. The charcoal particles will seek to bind toxic substances in the intestines to prevent them from entering blood circulation. These bound substances will be directed to re-enter the intestinal tract through the processes of diffusion and active secretion in bile. They will then be driven out of the body or excreted along with the stools.
Charcoal tablets are also safe for consumption as they are a physiological product (not absorbed into the body) and they present no side-effects. They also do more than eliminate toxin. Charcoal is found to reduce pain and inflammation, the common characteristics of flatulence, diarrhoea and even food poisoning.
Remember, flatulence may be a symptom of a significant disease, but it is usually harmless. Do consult a doctor or physician if flatulence is persistent or severe, or if there is chronic abdominal pain.
New Straits Times (Malaysia), Aug 10, 2003
posted by James at 6:04 PM
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