Causes & Cures for Flatulence

No matter who you are, you can't deny you've experienced some flatulence in your life. It could be random moments where you "pass gas" or an almost habitual, daily "breaking of wind." Truth be told, flatulence is just a simple fact of life. But for some people, this buildup of gas can be more severe, which can make you wonder what is causing this sometimes uncomfortable state of affairs.

Diet

• The most common cause of flatulence involves a person's diet, namely one that is high in fiber. While a well-balanced diet containing plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole-grains is a great way to keep both your body and your digestion in good health, it can also cause you to suffer from flatulence. Though nutritious, these types of foods fall into the category of complex carbohydrates, which take a bit longer for the body to digest. To aid in this digestion, certain bacteria help to breakdown these foods before they pass. Interestingly enough, this process releases the gas that causes flatulence.

Food

• Besides a person's diet, a specific food or category of foods can also lead some people to experience an increase in flatulence. This is largely due to the way in which a given body processes (or is unable to process) a given food or substance. We've all heard of food allergies that cause an allergic reaction in people, this particular cause follows the same basic principle. Dairy products, artificial sweeteners, gluten, fats and other types of foods can hold an intolerance in some people, causing a reaction in the form of flatulence.

Air

• Another fairly common cause of flatulence involves the actual air we breathe. As we chew and swallow food and drink, air can easily move into our esophagus. That which doesn't come back up in the form of a burp or belch can make its way into our intestinal tract, causing us to eventually experience some flatulence.

Digestive Disorders

• For some people, flatulence can be caused by a digestive condition or disorder. Things like gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel disease, acid reflux, colitis and even constipation can prompt varying amounts of flatulence in its sufferers. Each of these digestive conditions affects the way in which food is digested in the body. Once there is a disruption in the digestion and expulsion of food, a person becomes more and more likely to suffer from the build up of gas (due to bacteria, air, food and stomach acids). This increases the likelihood and occurrence of flatulence.

Medications

• For other people, flatulence is caused by medications they may be taking for a medical condition, even digestive disorders. When medications are used, especially long-term antibiotics, the naturally occurring bacteria within the stomach, intestines and colon can get out of whack. As this happens, you experience a change in the way in which food is digested and evacuated in the body, causing the byproduct of gas and flatulence.

Treatment

• While there isn't necessarily a cure for flatulence, as it is a common occurrence in every person, there are treatments available to lessen the intensity and frequency of this event, especially in more serious cases. If your diet is causing you to experience flatulence, you'll need to play around with the amounts of each type of food to see a change. If a specific food is causing you trouble, just avoid the item or grouping of items to see an improvement. If you're suffering from a digestive disorder, you may need to consult a medical profession to better care for the condition and decrease your flatulence. Medications follow this same practice, by talking to your doctor to see if there isn't a better form of treatment that doesn't cause excessive gas.