Most people must have experienced flatulence. You too, right? Yes, this one complaint can indeed affect every age group, ranging from infants to those who are old.
Flatulence occurs when the digestive tract is filled with air or gas. Although it looks trivial, this complaint is actually very disturbing activities and can even reduce the quality of life of people who experience it.
Symptoms of flatulence
Flatulence occurs due to various mechanisms,
Gas accumulation in the intestines
In a state of fasting, a healthy digestive tract contains 100 ml of gas which is evenly distributed. Excessive and uneven gas accumulation is strongly suspected as a cause of flatulence and distension in the stomach.
Abnormal bacteria in the intestine
More than 500 species of microbes in the intestine play an important role in the body’s immune system. These microbes produce gas, so the stomach can become bloated.
Eat a lot or hurry
Eating too much or too much in a hurry can cause flatulence. This is because the food in the digestive tract has not yet been processed, but has been added with new ones.
Eating certain foods
Spicy foods, too acidic, and containing gases ― such as cabbage, mustard greens, soft drinks, can cause flatulence.
Enzyme Disorders
To make the digestion process well, the body needs help from the enzymes amylase, protease, and lipase. If the enzyme is disrupted, one condition that is very likely to occur is flatulence.
Some of the signs and symptoms that usually accompany flatulence include:
Frequent bowel movements
Excess air or gas in the intestines can increase the frequency of bowel movements. In some cases, the wind that comes out has a bad odor. This can happen because the food in the intestine has already decomposed due to an imperfect absorption process.
Stomach distension
Excessive gas production and accumulation can cause distension in the stomach (stomach feels tight and enlarged)
Discomfort and pain
Flatulence also causes discomfort, or even accompanied by pain or cramps.
Flatulence Solution
To prevent and overcome the occurrence of flatulence, here are some tips you can apply:
- Eat slowly. Eat one serving of food within 15-30 minutes.
- Avoid eating too much, especially at one time at a time.
- Avoid talking when eating.
- Avoid consuming foods that produce gas, such as cabbage and cauliflower.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and soft drinks.
- Stop smoking.
- Consumption of foods high in fiber