TOP MEDICAL CAUSES OF FLATULENCE

EVERYONE MUST READ THIS:

Flatulence or farting can be a subject of ridicule, a source of social embarassement and a great inconvenience. But just like peeing and the number 2 form of easing oneself, this a just another entirely natural and normal bodily function.
However, excessive farting could be a symptom of serious underlying medical conditions and must not be ignored.

Below are just some of the medical conditions that can be symptomised by excessive flatulence:

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Lactose intolerance is the inability to break down a type of natural sugar called lactose. Lactose is commonly found in dairy products, such as milk and yogurt. A person becomes lactose intolerant when his or her small intestine stops making enough of the enzyme lactase to digest and break down the lactose. When this happens, the undigested lactose moves into the large intestine. The bacteria that are normally present in the large intestine interact with the undigested lactose and cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. The condition may also be called lactase deficiency.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

A syndrome is a collection of symptoms that often occur together. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common syndrome that causes many individuals to seek medical help. This condition is separate from inflammatory bowel disease and is not related to other bowel conditions.

Irritable bowel syndrome is also known as spastic colon, irritable colon, mucous colitis, and spastic colitis. The condition includes symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain and bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Some individuals who have the condition have minor symptoms, while others experience a significant impact on daily life.

INDIGESTION

Indigestion (also known as dyspepsia) happens to almost everyone from time to time. Eating habits or a chronic digestive problem can trigger indigestion.

Indigestion can cause stomach pain or bloating. You may also have heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Other common symptoms of indigestion include:

feeling full during a meal and not being able to finish eating
feeling extremely full after eating a normal-sized meal
a burning sensation in the stomach or esophagus
a gnawing sensation in the stomach
excessive gas or belching

GIARDIASIS

Giardiasis is an infection in your small intestine. Giardiasis spreads through contact with infected people. You can also get giardiasis by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Giardia can be found all over the world. However, it’s more common in overcrowded developing countries that lack sanitary conditions and

Giardia are found in animal and human feces. They also thrive in contaminated food, water, and soil. They can survive outside a host for long periods of time. Accidentally consuming these parasites can lead to an infection.

The most common way to get giardiasis is to drink water that contains giardia. Contaminated water can be in swimming pools, spas, and bodies of water, such as lakes.

Contracting giardiasis from food is less common because heat kills the parasites. Handling food with poor hygiene or eating produce rinsed in contaminated water can allow the parasite to spread.

Giardiasis also spreads through personal contact. Unprotected anal sex is one way that this infection passes from one person to another.

Changing a child’s diaper or picking up the parasite while working in a child care center are also common methods of infection. Children are at high risk for giardiasis because they’re likely to encounter feces when wearing diapers or potty training.

Some people can carry giardia parasites without experiencing any symptoms. Symptoms of giardiasis generally show up one or two weeks after exposure. Common symptoms include:

fatigue
nausea
diarrhea or greasy stools
loss of appetite
vomiting
bloating and abdominal cramps
weight loss
excessive gas
headaches
abdominal pain

E.COLI

E.coli is a type of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of people and animals. However, some types of E. coli, particularly E. coli 0157:H7, can cause intestinal infection.Symptoms of intestinal infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. More severe cases can lead to bloody diarrhea, dehydration, or even kidney failure. People with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, young children, and older adults are at increased risk for developing these complications.

Most intestinal infections are caused by contaminated food or water. Proper food preparation and good hygiene can greatly decrease your chances of developing an intestinal infection.

Most cases of intestinal E. coli infection can be treated at home. Symptoms generally resolve within a few days to a week.

Symptoms of intestinal infection generally begin between one and five days after you have been infected with E. coli. Symptoms can include:

abdominal cramping
sudden, severe watery diarrhea that may change to bloody stools
gas
loss of appetite/nausea
vomiting (uncommon)
fatigue
fever

FIXED HIATAL HERNIA

This type of hernia isn’t as common. It’s also known as a paraesophageal hernia.

In a fixed hernia, part of your stomach pushes through your diaphragm and stays there. Most cases are not serious. However, there is a risk that blood flow to your stomach could become blocked. If that happens, it could cause serious damage and is considered a medical emergency.

Fixed hiatal hernias can cause stomach acid, bile, or air entering your esophagus. Resulting in

heartburn that gets worse when you lean over or lie down
chest pain or epigastric pain
trouble swallowing
belching
Excessive bloating and flatulence

STOMACH CANCER

Stomach cancer is characterized by a growth of cancerous cells within the lining of the stomach. Also called gastric cancer, this type of cancer is difficult to diagnose because most people typically don’t show symptoms in the earlier stages.

Unfortunately, this means that people often don’t know anything is wrong until the cancer has reached an advanced stage.

Some of the most common symptoms of advanced stomach cancer are:

nausea/vomiting
frequent heartburn
loss of appetite (sometimes accompanied by sudden weight loss)
constant bloating and flatulence
early satiety (feeling full after eating only a small amount)
bloody stools
jaundice (a yellowish discoloration in the eyes and skin)
excessive fatigue
stomach pain (which may be worse after meals)

OVARIAN CYST

The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system. They’re located in the lower abdomen on both sides of the uterus. Women have two ovaries that produce eggs, as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Sometimes, a fluid-filled sac called a cyst will develop on one of the ovaries. Many women will develop at least one cyst during their lifetime. In most cases, cysts are painless and cause no symptoms.

There are various types of ovarian cysts, such as dermoid cysts and endometrioma cysts. However, functional cysts are the most common type. The two types of functional cysts include follicle and corpus luteum cysts.

Often times, ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms. However, symptoms can appear as the cyst grows. Symptoms may include:

abdominal bloating or swelling
flatulence
painful bowel movements
pelvic pain before or during the menstrual cycle
painful intercourse
pain in the lower back or thighs
breast tenderness
nausea and vomiting

CROHNS DISEASE

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease.

More research about this disease is necessary. Researchers aren’t sure how it begins, who is most likely to develop it, or how to best treat it. Despite major advances in treatment in the last three decades, no cure is available for Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease most commonly occurs in the small intestine and the colon. The disease can affect any part of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from your mouth to your anus. The disease can involve some parts of the GI tract and skip other parts.

What may be mild or irritating for some can be painful and debilitating for others. The symptoms vary and can change over time. In some people, the disease can lead to life-threatening complications.

The earliest symptoms of Crohn’s disease can include: