Flatulence: Find information & a doctor for flatulence

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Leading Medicine Guide Editors

Flatulence is the involuntary retention of intestinal gas. The abdomen is bloated and feels tense, and in some cases painful abdominal cramps occur. Flatulence can have a variety of causes, from eating bloating foods to illnesses. In most cases, flatulence can be treated with simple remedies.

Here you will find further information and selected doctors for flatulence.

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ICD codes for this diseases: R14

Brief overview:

Flatulence is caused by increased gas production in the gut and often leads to an uncomfortable feeling of pressure or a bloated stomach. Typical triggers include certain foods, particularly those that cause flatulence, eating too quickly, or disorders of the digestive tract. Changes in gut flora or food intolerances can also contribute to the development of flatulence. In most cases, the symptoms are harmless; however, if flatulence occurs frequently or is severe, the cause should be investigated by a doctor.

Article overview

What are the possible causes of flatulence?

Eating flatulent foods (e.g. pulses, cabbage, onions, fresh bread, high-carbon drinks)
Eating or drinking too hastily
Meals that are too rich
Sweets, sugar and sugar substitutes (more intestinal gas is produced than when metabolizing healthier foods)
Excessive alcohol, nicotine and coffee consumption
Change of diet to whole foods or raw foods
Disorders in the composition of the digestive juices
Mental disorders: Stress, anxiety, depression, nervousness, etc.
Infections and inflammations
Lactose intolerance
Disturbance of the bile flow
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease

Flatulence can cause abdominal pain © AliceCam | AdobeStock

What to do about flatulence? What remedies help with flatulence?

The following measures may help to alleviate the acute symptoms of flatulence:

Herbal remedies: caraway, fennel or aniseed in the form of tea or drops. You can also test the effect of ginger, coriander, peppermint, yellow gentian, marjoram and wormwood on your physical well-being
Defoaming preparations: preparations based on the active ingredient dimethicone or similar (chewable tablets, suspension) dissolve the gas bubbles in the intestine
Hot water bottles, a warm cherry stone cushion or warm, moist compresses around the abdomen
Abdominal massage in a clockwise direction
Avoid tight-fitting clothing in the area of the intestines (pants, belts, etc.) so that the intestines can move better

Flatulence should disappear or be significantly alleviated after a short period of self-treatment. If the symptoms remain very severe or recur repeatedly, you should consult a doctor to clarify the cause.