Flatulence and frequent farting can be prevented by changing behavior

Flatulence and frequent farting can be prevented by changing behavior

What causes flatulence?

Flatulence is due to excessive gas in the intestines. The body has to expel the intestinal gas by farting or vent the gas through the mouth by burping. Flatulence can stem from intolerance to certain foods or everyday behaviors such as swallowing air (Aerophagia).

What is Air Swallowing (Aerophagia)?

Swallowing air is one of the most overlooked causes of flatulence. Because swallowing air often happens unconsciously.

The swallowed air courses from the mouth to the stomach, contributing to flatulence. Here are some behaviors that cause air swallowing:

• Eat or drink too hastily
• Talk while eating.
• Chewing gum.
• Smoking
• Laughing
• Stress
• Snoring

Flatulence, farting often, is it normal?

Flatulence and farting are normal, happening in everybody unless the farting are excessively frequent to the point of feeling insecure in public; if farting or burping occurs more than 20 times a day, you should see a doctor because you may have problems in your gastrointestinal tract.

How long is the duration of flatulence?

How soon flatulence resolves depends on the activity of daily living and food intake. This symptom goes away quickly once the cause of the problem is identified and corrected. Changing eating habits is, therefore, crucial and should be the first thing to deal with to prevent flatulence.

Prebiotics and Fibers: Do they help reduce flatulence?

Food rich in prebiotics and fibers is what the body needs. It can help move food along the digestive tract and help flush out the stool remaining in the intestines through the rectum to resolve constipation. Eating prebiotics and fibers, therefore, helps in reducing bloating. It also promotes the bacteria in the intestines to suck up excess gas, effectively balancing the intestines.

Daily dietary fiber requirement

Foods to avoid while experiencing flatulence

• Cow's milk products, including cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and creamer
• Legumes, including mung beans, black beans, fava beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts.
• Cruciferous vegetables, including Brussels sprouts, broccoli, lettuce, and kale.
• High-sulfur vegetables, including onions, spring onions, and garlic.
• Starchy foods, including rice, corn, and potatoes.
• All types of soft drinks
• Fermented food of all kinds.

Five measures to prevent flatulence

1. Eating a meal and drinking water slowly. Chewing food thoroughly before swallowing will help prevent prolonged food retention in the intestines for gas accumulation in the digestive tract to occur.
2. Drink enough water, at least 1.8 liters per day. Drinking water will stimulate the motility of the digestive tract and prevent the digested food from solidifying and packing within the intestines, causing constipation
3. Be cautious of sudden changes in the types of food you consume. For example, a sudden increase in fiber intake may beg the question, "Why do I have flatulence when traveling abroad?"
4. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, preferably 3-4 days a week help stimulate bowel movements. Increased physical activity helps with the elimination of intestinal gas.
5. Avoid uninterrupted sitting for longer than one hour.

What kind of flatulence should you see a doctor?

• Fart or burp more than 20 times a day.
• Flatulence longer than one week.
• Associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Frequent constipation, and rectal bleeding.
• Tense abdominal bloating with discomfort
• Failure to lessen flatulence symptoms.

Flatulence is a common symptom that can happen to anyone, mainly from eating behaviors. If you pay close attention to your flatulence and adjust your diet gradually, adhering to the daily behavior mentioned above will help reduce flatulence. If you try to improve flatulence without success or notice gastrointestinal tract abnormalities, it is advisable to consult a gastroenterologist to determine the cause of your bloating and meal planning.