Some medications (e.g. antibiotics, medication in diabetes treatment) can also cause flatulence as a side effect. If the treatment is short term, the symptoms will disappear soon after stopping the medication. It is important not to stop the medication even if the treatment is permanent, but to treat the side effect of flatulence with over-the-counter medication.
In patients with lactose tolerance, lactose as a carrier substance (albeit in small amounts) in a medication can also be the cause. Drug group: Active ingredients include drugs for infections such as penicillins and sulfonamides, drugs for diabetes such as acarbose, drugs for obesity such as orlistat and drugs for inflammation and rheumatism such as diclofenac. Some people tolerate certain foods, such as milk, worse than others because they lack certain enzymes (e.g. the enzyme lactase).
These foods are therefore not broken down sufficiently. About an hour after consumption, you may experience flatulence or even diarrhoea. Examples of such intolerances are: 1. lactose intolerance: intolerance of milk; yoghurt and cheese are usually well tolerated.
2. fruit sugar intolerance (fructose intolerance) : flatulence occurs after eating sweet fruit (e.g. pears) or fruit juices on coeliac disease / sprue (gluten intolerance): 3. intolerance of proteins (e.g. gluten) in native cereals (e.g. wheat, barley, spelt).
Flatulence due to lactose intolerance
Flatulence caused by lactose intolerance is mainly caused by the consumption of dairy products such as cheese, butter, yoghurt and milk. Patients with acquired lactose intolerance are initially unable to assess the situation correctly, as the previous consumption of lactose-containing foods was unproblematic. Shortly after eating dairy products, these patients initially experience an unpleasant feeling in the stomach area, followed by moderate to severe flatulence and abdominal cramps.
In severe cases, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea may also occur. In any case, one should try to avoid dairy products for 7-10 days. If this leads to an improvement of the symptoms, this indicates lactose intolerance.
Flatulence due to gluten intolerance
Somewhat less common but more difficult to diagnose is gluten intolerance. Gluten is often unknown to be present in many foods and can lead to severe flatulence and abdominal pain but also to diarrhoea. Here, too, abstinence from these foods can help to quickly find out whether an intolerance is present. In this case, however, one should consult a gastroenterologist who can find out whether a gluten intolerance is present by means of appropriate rapid-acting tests.
Flatulence due to sugar substitutes
Furthermore, the body can react to the absorption of so-called sugar substitutes with increased intestinal gas formation. This is also often based on an allergic reaction. However, the healthy intestine can also react with strong flatulence and even laxative if the intake of sugar substitutes is high. Sauerkraut, crispbread and celery can have just as flatulent an effect as an excessive intake of dietary fibres. Especially the excessive consumption of wholemeal products can lead to these complaints, although the actual consumption of dietary fibres is considered to be intestine-protecting.
