Flatulence is the presence of a mixture of gases known as flatus in the digestive tract of mammals expelled from the rectum. It is more commonly known as 'farting', 'passing gas. Due of the fast and carefree lifestyle that we are living today, flatulence has become a common problem. Generally people who don't care about what they eat, where they eat, and how clean is the food they are eating suffer from flatulence and ibs. Flatulence can be embarrassing, but it is a common problem and affects everyone at some point. On average, the majority of people pass gas 15 times a day but anything up to 40 times in one day is considered normal.



Causes

Gas can be caused by any of the following:

* Swallowing air while eating.

* Eating foods that are difficult to digest, such as fiber. If you recently introduced fiber into your diet, having gas may be temporary. Give it a little time. Your body may adjust and stop producing gas.

* Eating foods that you cannot tolerate -- for example, if you have lactose intolerance and eat dairy products.

* Irritable bowel syndrome -- a chronic form of stomach upset that gets worse from stress.

Flatulence (Gas) Symptoms

Symptoms of flatulence are increased passage of gas, abdominal bloating or pain, and belching. Embarrassment can be caused by the increased passage of flatus or the often-offensive odor it causes. Following symptoms that the person may experience -

A feeling of bloating and discomfort

Excessive expulsion of wind

Belching

Pain in the abdomen.

Abdominal distension and discomfort

Rumblings in the lower abdomen.

Medical Treatment

The goal of treatment of flatulence is to reduce gas and odor. Medical intervention includes treatment with antibiotics if bacterial overgrowth of the gastrointestinal tract is suspected or evidence of parasitic infection is seen.

* Some promising studies have investigated feeding nonoffensive strains of bacteria to push out the bacteria that are offensive, although no established treatments are available at this time.

* Regulation of bowel function is essential. Constipation should be treated with increased dietary fiber or certain laxatives.

You can help relieve this symptom by adopting the following lifestyle measures:

* Eat more slowly.

* Chew your food thoroughly.

* Relax whilst you eat.

* Avoid carbonated drinks and chewing gum.

* Limit foods associated with large amounts of flatus such as legumes, beans, lentils, raisins, foods high in insoluble fibre, artificial sweeteners and vegetables of the cabbage family.

* Quit smoking.

Foods to limit

A healthy diet requires plenty of variety. Foods that tend to produce large amounts of flatus also contain essential nutrients and shouldn't be eliminated. Limiting their consumption is a better option. Examples of foods that commonly cause flatulence include:

* Dairy products - such as milk, if lactose intolerance is present

* Dried fruit - raisins and prunes

* Fruit - apple, apricot, peach and pear