Intestinal Gas: Flatulence and When to See a Doctor

A medical record may contain the word "pneumatosis." What it means in a specific case is clarified by a doctor. Below is what is known about intestinal gas, flatulence, and when to seek medical care.

What is known about intestinal gas

Gas in the digestive tract is normal. A healthy adult has about 1 liter of gases in the stomach and intestines, formed mainly through the activity of the microflora; normally, 0.1–0.5 liters are expelled from the intestines per day. The composition of the mixture is: nitrogen — 24–90%, carbon dioxide — 4.3–29%, oxygen — 0.1–23%, hydrogen — 0.6–47%, methane — 0–26%, as well as traces of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and volatile mercaptans.

Flatulence and excessive gas formation

Gas formation is individual: everyone has gas, but each person's idea of what is normal is their own. Excessive gas is discussed when the usual baseline changes or the condition affects daily life.

Flatulence is the excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines. As a rule, it manifests as abdominal bloating; flatus — copious gas expulsion — is possible. The volume of gas expelled can reach three or more liters. The condition is accompanied by belching, hiccups, a feeling of heaviness and distension, attacks of cramping pain that disappear after passing gas, nausea, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and loss of appetite; sometimes diarrhea alternates with constipation.

Possible causes of excessive gas formation

Intestinal gases come from exogenous (about 90%) and endogenous (about 10%) sources. Their content increases with the consumption of foods high in carbohydrates, foods that cause gas formation (legumes, cabbage, apples, highly carbonated drinks), fermentation products (black bread, kvass, beer, kombucha), and dairy products in cases of lactose intolerance. Increased gas is also possible when swallowing air during eating — aerophagia.

Flatulence is also a common sign of certain diseases: dysbiosis, pancreatitis, enteritis, colitis, liver cirrhosis, acute intestinal infections, and helminthiases. Separately, impaired passage of gas is distinguished — in intestinal obstruction and intestinal atony due to peritonitis; neurosis is also mentioned. Among the causes of bloating are constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and lactose intolerance.

Excessive gas formation can be a side effect of medications: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, ibuprofen), certain laxatives, antifungal drugs, and statins; bloating is possible when taking acarbose or products containing lactulose or sorbitol. A prescribed medication is not changed on one's own.

What to discuss with a doctor

Things to discuss with a doctor:

• abdominal pain that does not go away or keeps returning;
• bloating that does not go away or keeps returning;
• changes in stool — constipation, diarrhea, or their alternation;
• weight loss without trying to lose weight or blood in the stool;
• taking medications, for example nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or laxatives.

When a doctor is needed

See a doctor if gas formation affects your life and home measures together with over-the-counter remedies have not helped, if abdominal pain or bloating does not go away or keeps returning, if constipation or diarrhea recurs, if there is weight loss without trying to lose weight, or if there is blood in the stool. Reasons for consultation also include dark tarry stool, worsening heartburn, and vomiting.

Mention of intestinal gas on its own is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103/112 — for a life-threatening condition, for example a sudden sharp deterioration in well-being.

This material is for reference: it does not replace consultation with a doctor, who evaluates complaints and examination data together.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer