Painful flatulence: These tips will help

Painful flatulence: These tips will help you!

Flatulence is an unpleasant topic that nobody likes to talk about. However, it can easily be avoided with a few simple tips and tricks. You can find out how to prevent painful flatulence here.

via Anna-Lisa

06/05/2020, 16:21

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What is the cause of painful flatulence?

When your stomach is rumbling again - increased swallowing of air, increased gas formation during digestive processes and an obstructed outflow of gas in the intestine are the cause of bloating (technically known as meteorism), which can sometimes be painful. Suppressing flatulence is not harmful in principle - but at some point the air has to come out. And holding it in can sometimes be painful. Exactly how bloating occurs varies. Eating too quickly, lack of exercise or problems with the gastrointestinal tract are all causes of (painful) flatulence.

A simple change in habits can prevent painful bloating. You don't even have to restrict yourself too much. If you regularly suffer from painful flatulence, you should reconsider your eating habits. There are many possible causes: Are the meals you eat too rich? Are you eating too much? Do you eat a lot of cabbage, pulses or other vegetables? This could overload your intestines. A lot of alcohol, nicotine and coffee can also lead to painful flatulence. Sweets, sugar, fruit sugar(fructose) or sugar substitutes also place a great strain on the intestines, as more intestinal gas is produced when they are metabolized. If this gas cannot be ideally eliminated, painful flatulence occurs.

If you suffer from diarrhea or abdominal pain for days on end, you should see a doctor. The cause may also be a food intolerance such as fructose intolerance(intolerance to fructose), lactose intolerance(lactose intolerance) or coeliac disease(gluten intolerance). Intolerances can be determined in a test. Irritable bowel syndrome is also a common cause of painful flatulence. Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder of the intestine for which there is no physical cause. In this case, anything in the diet that leads to a bloated stomach should be avoided. Taking antibiotics can also lead to flatulence. Stress should be avoided, as the psyche can also affect the stomach and intestines.

Serious illnesses as a reason for flatulence

If you suffer regularly or even daily from symptoms such as painful flatulence, this can also be a sign of serious illness. A doctor can determine whether any food intolerances, intestinal diseases or bowel cancer are the cause of the symptoms. Problems with the pancreas can cause problems digesting fatty foods: Flatulence, bloating, belching, severe cramps and diarrhea are symptoms. In addition to chronic flatulence and irregular digestion, bowel cancer (colorectal cancer) causes a change in the stool - if you see blood in the stool, you should see a doctor immediately. Cirrhosis of the liver also causes severe, painful flatulence, which is usually accompanied by constipation. Intestinal obstruction caused by constipation is extremely painful and results in abdominal pain and bloating. There are many causes of an obstruction: a sluggish bowel, scar adhesions after surgery, Chrohn's disease, tumors or haemorrhoids can be the cause.

Home remedies for painful flatulence

For acute symptoms, natural home remedies such as herbal teas, a hot water bottle or an abdominal massage can have a calming effect on the stomach and intestines. The following home remedies help against painful flatulence:

Teas made from medicinal plants such as peppermint, aniseed, fennel or caraway
plenty of fluids (preferably tea and still water)
Abdominal massage: gently massage the abdomen with clockwise circular movements
Hot water bottle or a warm bath
Turmeric: The spice has a digestive and anti-inflammatory effect
Rolling cure: Drink a cup of chamomile tea. Then lie down and roll from your back to your left side, then to your stomach and from there to your right side, alternating every five minutes. This should ensure that the gases in the intestines are released.

Well-tolerated foods

Flatulence and other gastrointestinal complaints can be prevented with the right diet. The following foods are well tolerated and can be included in meals, provided there is no intolerance:

Artichoke
ginger
Herbal tea
potatoes
Wholemeal bread
zucchini
carrot
fennel
Tomato
broccoli
Kohlrabi
Apple
Pear
banana
Low-fat dairy products
turmeric

Preventing painful flatulence

If you frequently suffer from digestive problems or painful flatulence, you can make a difference with just a few small changes to your diet. You can prevent bloating with these tips:

avoid carbonated drinks
Do not eat large meals, preferably several small portions throughout the day
Eat slowly and chew thoroughly
Regular sport or exercise in the form of walks stimulates digestion
Avoid cigarettes
Avoid flatulent foods such as cabbage, pulses and onions
only eat fiber-rich foods such as linseed and wheat bran in moderation
Avoid sugar and sugar substitutes such as stevia

Do gastrointestinal complaints increase with age?

The production of gastric juice decreases with age - and with it the protective function of the gastric mucosa. The stomach also takes longer to digest food. This can therefore lead to increased intolerances because food remains in the body for longer. This also applies to the intestines - muscle strength also decreases with age, so that digestion and elimination take longer. This is therefore a natural reason why older people suffer more frequently from constipation and flatulence. Older people should therefore tailor their diet to their tolerance and eat several small portions instead of fewer large ones. And: drink, drink, drink!

Medication for flatulence

Quick help for flatulence: To help your bowels relax during the day and at night, you can get decongestant, antispasmodic or digestive medication from the pharmacy over the counter for painful flatulence. Or enjoy tea with caraway or turmeric, which are tried and tested household remedies. Cabbage dishes, for example, can be made more digestible in advance by adding a little caraway.

Date: 25.03.2020