Symptoms
Flatulence is manifested by an increased accumulation of gases in the intestines (meteorism), which may pass voluntarily or involuntarily (flatulence). They may be accompanied by an uncomfortable feeling, a bloated abdomen, cramps and other digestive symptoms such as constipation, increased bowel activity and diarrhea. Bloating is primarily a psychosocial problem because of the embarrassing sounds and unpleasant odor, but it can also have a disease value.
Causes
There are numerous possible causes for the discomfort. Intestinal gases are usually composed of nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen and are formed primarily by bacteria from carbohydrates and proteins. Bloating is often caused by foods such as legumes, beans, sausages, onions, cabbage, leeks, fruits and vegetables. Mild indigestion also often causes temporary symptoms. Other causes include:
- Drugs, for example, laxatives such as fiber and certain sugars.
- Food intolerance, for example, a lactose intolerance or fructose malabsorption.
- Carbonated drinks, stimulants such as coffee.
- Indigestion, dyspepsia, hypofunction of the pancreas.
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Motility disorders, gastric paralysis, intestinal obstruction, stenosis.
- Stress, hasty eating, swallowing air (aerophagy), for example, in infants.
- Infectious diseases, bacterial miscolonization, diarrheal diseases.
- GERD, gastric and intestinal ulcers, tumors, short bowel syndrome.
Diagnosis
Simple flatulence can be treated yourself. In chronic complaints or unusual accompanying symptoms, such as fever, blood in the stool or severe diarrhea, the family doctor should be consulted.
Nonpharmacologic treatment
- Triggers such as foods, medications, carbonated beverages, and sugar substitutes that cause flatulence should be avoided.
- Use heat pads, such as a hot water bottle.
- Physical exercise
- Abdominal massage
- Treatment of concomitant constipation
- Take sufficient time for the meal
If possible, the treatment should start with the cause.
Drug treatment
The so-called antiflatulent agents or carminatives are used for treatment. The following is a selection of the most common agents. Defoamers:
- Simeticon (e.g., Flatulex) and dimethicone are defoamers that act locally in the intestine and are excreted unchanged in the stool. They are therefore considered well tolerated and are widely used. Some preparations can already be administered to children.
Herbal medicines:
- Fennel tea
- Tea blend with anise, fennel and caraway (eg Sidroga).
- Activated carbon (eg Norit)
- Healing clay (eg Luvos internal)
- Flatulent tea PH (Species carminativae)
- Peppermint oil in caspules (colpermine).
- Peppermint oil with caraway oil (Gaspan)
Digestive agents:
- Herbal bitter remedies, bile remedies (eg Boldocynara, Weleda Amara drops, Iberogast).
- Digestive enzymes such as pancreatin (Panzyrat), the alpha-galactosidase, lactase and xylose isomerase.
- Prokinetic drugs such as domperidone (Motilium), metoclopramide (Paspertin, generics).
Anticonvulsants:
- Scopolamine butylbromide (buscopan).
- Herbal spasmolytics such as chamomile or butterbur.
Probiotics:
- Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Vitafor probi-intestis).
Massage oils:
- Four winds oil (external)
