When Excessive Flatulence Isn't Just Caused By The Usual Suspects: What Can You Do?

Quite a few health conditions cause excessive flatulence. If you are constantly passing gas and you know it isn't because you've been eating gas-producing foods, it may be time to see a doctor. Let's take a look at the conditions that can lead to excessive flatulence, and the other symptoms they produce.

Indigestion is a rather common condition that affects most of us from time to time, but not for long periods of time. It can manifest in the form of heartburn or dyspepsia, discomfort in the upper abdomen. It's usually caused by food, but can also be related to smoking, stress, pregancy, alcohol, or the use of certain medications.

 

Bloating, feeling full quickly, heartburn, nausea and vomiting and either burping or flatulence can all be symptons. If you experience indigestion regularly, especially if you are over 55 and have lost a lot of weight suddenly, it is time to see a doctor — indigestion can be the symptom of a serious underlying condition, including stomach cancer.

IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, is a long-term condition of the digestive tract that is characterized by alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Stomach cramps are also a common symptom. IBS is believed to be caused by problems during the digestive system and an extra sensitive gut, though experts have not identified a definite underlying cause yet. People with IBS will often experience excessive flatulence, along with mucus secretion from the anus and the feeling that they have not completed a bowel movement.

Celiac disease is an oversensivity to gluten, a protein present in wheat, barley and rye. Its symptoms are abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and — you guessed it — flatulence. Because many of the most popular foods contain gluten, people with celiac are going to encounter these symptoms rather a lot. The answer lies in diagnosis and then following a gluten-free diet.

People with lactose intolerance are not able to digest lactose, a sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. This leads to a bloated stomach, cramps, diarrhea, and flatulence. Once diagnosed, the key to keeping those nasty symptoms away is avoiding lactose.

Gastroenteritis, typically caused by viral or bacterial infections, is a condition in which the stomach and intestines become inflamed. Fortunately, gastroenteritis is of a temporary nature, caused by food poisoning or the norovirus for instance. That doesn't make its symptoms any better though: vomiting, severe diarrhea, a fever, aching limbs, and headache are some of the tell-tale signs you can expect — along with a lot of farting.

 

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar to you? Don't continue to suffer! Get checked out by your healthcare provider, who will be able to offer diagnosis and hopefully treatment or management that will make your excessive flatulence a thing of the past very soon.