Ailments and Situations - Flatulence

 
Description

Though entirely a normal, healthy process, flatulence can range from a humourous to a very embarrassing situation. Most flatus produced is the result of helpful bacteria in your digestive tract breaking down undigested, intact carbohydrates that enter the small intestine. Two specific carbohydrates, raffinose and stachyose, cannot be digested by digestive enzymes and must wait for the bacteria to ferment them. One natural result of this process is the production of hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, and other gases.

On average, the human body produces one to three pints (0.47 to 1.42 litres) of gas daily which is expelled by flatulence or burping. In general, people pass gas eight to twenty times daily. And while this may seem like a lot, it is perfectly normal.

The odour that we so keenly detect (in amounts as low as 1 part per 100 million) is composed of methane and other trace gases comprising less than 1% of the digestive gas.

 

Symptoms and Signs:

Excess passing of gas is the most direct symptom. Digestive upset may indicate further problems such as an enzyme deficiency.

 

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