Excess gases is most often normal and is due to the fermentation of food by intestinal bacteria during the digestion process, not smelling bad and nor being indicative of health problems.
In addition to production by bacteria, gases can also arise when the person eats very quickly, as it is common for the air to enter the body, increasing the amount of gas formed.
However, gases formation can happen as a result of the use of antibiotics or slower digestion food consumption, because there is increased fermentation of microorganisms, which results in greater production and greater concentration of gases, and may smell very poorly and cause symptoms such as belly swelling, general malaise and twinge abdominal pain.
Main causes
The main causes of excess gases are:
1. Swallow air during meals
When it is very fast, due to stress or anxiety, for example, there may be air entry into the body, which causes the formation of gases, being called this condition of intestinal meteorism, which can be quite uncomfortable and cause swelling and abdominal pain. See how to identify intestinal meteorism.
What to do: In this case, it is important to eat more slowly to prevent air from entering the body again during food and thus symptoms appear again. In addition, it is possible to relieve symptoms through the use of some medications such as luftal and dimethicone, for example.
2. Eating hard digestion foods
Some foods, especially carbohydrates, proteins and fats, have slightly slower digestion and increase the fermentation in the gut, increasing the amount of gas formed. The main foods responsible for excess intestinal gases are:
- Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, milk;
- Chickpeas, peas, lentils, potatoes;
- Beans, sweet potatoes, yogurt, eggs, wheat bran;
- Drinks with gas, beer, onion, asparagus.
The combination of foods rich in fiber with foods that have a lot of fat also favor the formation of gases. However, a food that can cause gases in one person may not cause in another, and therefore, it is important to be aware of the food that led to increased gases.
What to do: It is important to avoid the food responsible for increasing gases, as well as having a light and easily digestible diet, as it is possible to promote the balance of gastrointestinal microbiota and relieve the symptoms of excess gases. Learn how the diet can decrease gas production.
3. Taking antacids or antibiotics
The use of antacids and antibiotics can alter intestinal flora and thus the fermentation process of microorganisms, which could increase the production of intestinal gases.
What to do: In this case, it is important to consult the doctor to find out if it is possible to change the medicine or to stop its use if the gases are causing a lot of discomfort, and an assessment of the possibility of using medicines to relieve the discomfort caused by the gases.
4. Do not practice physical activities
The lack of physical activities makes the digestion process slower, increasing the fermentation of food. In addition, sedentary people tend to have constipation, which also favors the formation of intestinal gases due to the intestine’s stay for longer.
What to do: It is recommended to start the practice of physical activity regularly, as this is possible to improve the functioning of the intestine and decrease gases. Thus, in order to start physical activity, it may be interesting to take a 20 -minute walk every day and, as physical activity is more frequent, the walk can be done longer or the practice of running, for example. Check out some tips to get out of physical inactivity.
5.
Constipation can also cause increased intestinal gases, as the feces remain more time in the gut, favor increased fermentation and make it difficult to exit gases, causing abdominal pain and discomfort.
What to do: It is important to invest in habits that help combat constipation such as healthy and fiber -rich eating, ingestion of plenty of water during the day and physical activity practice. Thus, it is possible to improve the functioning of the intestine and thus reduce gases.
6.
Gas drinks can also increase gas production, because they facilitate more air swallowing.
What to do: In this case, the best thing to do is to eliminate the consumption of gas drinks, as this is possible to improve the need to burp and eliminate gases.
Watch the following video to learn more about the causes and check out other tips to get rid of excess gases:
How to eliminate fast gases: food, teas, exercise and myths!
11:44 | 4,253 views
Intestinal gases in pregnancy
The formation of intestinal gases is slightly larger in pregnancy and this is also due to the slowness of digestion that occurs at this stage as a result of the increase of progesterone in the bloodstream. The most common symptoms of gases in pregnancy are:
- Clove abdominal pain;
- Noises in the belly;
- Abdominal distension;
- Feeling of stomach full.
In addition, constipation, also common in pregnancy, may aggravate the situation. To avoid excess gases during pregnancy, it is important to avoid foods that cause gases, drink plenty of water and practice some type of exercise such as walking daily. Learn how to eliminate the gases.
Source: www.tuasaude.com