What can gases say about your health?

(CNN) — Just like everyone has bowel movements, everyone gets gas. But the reasons why you have gas can be different and sometimes they can also be a cause for concern.

“As a pediatric gastroenterologist, I get asked about this all the time,” says Dr. Mark Corkins, chief of the division of pediatric gastroenterology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. “There are two sources of gas, and not all gases are gas. What we exhale is air. We all swallow some air, and some people swallow a lot of air. It seems odorless.”

Actual gas, on the other hand, is primarily a byproduct of food fermentation in the colon, said Corkins, who is also a professor of pediatrics. “There are (billions of) bacteria living in our colon. …If we don’t digest (food), the bacteria will.”

He stated that with respect to the amount of space occupied by gases, the actual volume is usually greater and is produced as food passes through the large intestine.

“Passing gas five to 15 times a day … is completely normal,” says Dr. William Che, the H. Marvin Pollard Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan. “That’s because people differ in the way their (gastrointestinal) tract works, the microbiome that lives inside the gastrointestinal tract, and what they eat. All of these things are really important factors in determining how much you Bars pass gas, how much you pass, and what your gas smells like.

Experts say that for these reasons some odors are more pungent than others, but no single odor is a signal of danger.

Gas is not an indicator of intestinal health as much as the frequency and texture of bowel movements. But dietary choices can lead to more or less gas, and there are some points where it’s worth telling your doctor about gas.

causes of flatulence

Gut flora is important because it helps the body make vitamins and produce some short-chain fatty acids that feed the lining of our colon, so a little gas (from those processes) is good, Corkins says. . “Otherwise, we’re not nourishing our flora, which is really a symbiotic relationship,” he said.

But experts say that the main reason for gas or excessive amounts of it is to eat foods that are difficult to digest and hence more prone to fermentation.

“The classic is beans, which contain a protein that is difficult to digest,” explains Corkins.

Beans are a source of FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols). These are short-chain carbohydrates or sugars that, in some people, are poorly absorbed by the small intestine, causing digestive problems such as gas, cramps, diarrhea, constipation or abdominal bloating. High-FODMAP foods include certain vegetables, fruits, starches and dairy products such as cauliflower, garlic, apples, peaches, milk, wheat and high fructose corn syrup.

“Many of us eat a lot of FODMAPs without realizing it, but each person has a different pattern in their ability to absorb and metabolize them,” said Dr. Rena Yadlapati, professor of medicine in the department of gastroenterology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Is.” San Diego. ,

“Some people, alternatively, will have problems when they eat too much red meat,” Che said. “In fact, (for) almost everyone, if you eat enough red meat, you won’t be able to digest or absorb it properly, and it will reach the colon, where it will produce gases and chemicals. “

The same can happen with excess carbohydrates that aren’t absorbed and ferment in the colon, he said.

“The second thing is to make sure your bowel habits are regular,” Che said. “People who suffer from constipation are more likely to have problems with bloating and flatulence. This is because if things move too slowly through the gastrointestinal tract, they have more bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, especially the colon. And that’s going to produce more gases.

How to Treat Uncontrollable Gas

According to experts, if gas causes discomfort or interferes with your daily life, you should see a doctor. There are other things you can try.

“We’ll question patients about those different factors — diet, microbiome and gastrointestinal tract function — and try to pinpoint some of the things that we think may be contributing to flatulence problems,” Che said. ” “If someone is eating a typical Western diet that includes a lot of processed foods and carbohydrates, sugars, cutting that out and eating a healthy diet can be really helpful.”

“The low-FODMAP diet is probably one of the biggest interventions I’ve talked to patients about,” Yadlapati said.

You should also check with your doctor if you’re experiencing unintentional weight loss, blood in your stool, or changes in bowel habits – especially frequent diarrhea – in addition to excessive flatulence. Must meet, Che and Yadalapati said.

“This could be a sign of infection, inflammation or enzyme deficiency, all of which can be identified and corrected with the help of a healthcare provider,” Che said.

While you wait for your doctor’s appointment, keep a “gas diary” in which you write down when you have gas and what types of physical activities and foods surround it, Yadlapati said, so you can keep track of the pattern. Can start identifying.

Your doctor may also recommend taking over-the-counter treatments like simethicone, activated charcoal, enteric-coated peppermint oil or probiotics, Che said.