Why does flatulence increase with age

Causes of flatulence Intestinal gas is a normal part of digestion. The gas is produced by different means, including: Swallowed air — the mouth isn't vacuum-sealed, so small quantities of air are swallowed along with food and liquid. The oxygen and nitrogen from the swallowed air is absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine, and any excess is allowed to continue its journey through the bowel for expulsion.

Normal digestion — stomach acid is neutralised by pancreatic secretions, and the resulting interaction creates gas carbon dioxide as a by-product. Intestinal bacteria — the bowel contains a host of bacteria that help digestion by fermenting some of the food components. The process of fermentation produces gas as a by-product. Some of the gas is absorbed into the bloodstream and breathed out by the lungs. The remainder is pushed along the bowel. High fibre foods — fibre is essential to the health of the digestive system, but it can create excessive gas.

The small intestine can't break down certain compounds, which means extra work for the gas-producing intestinal bacteria, and accompanying flatus. High-fibre diets should be introduced slowly to allow the bowel sufficient time to adjust. Lactose intolerance — the body's inability to digest the particular sugars found in cows milk will produce excessive amounts of intestinal gas. This is because the bacteria of the gut digest the sugars by fermentation, a gas-creating process.

Intolerance of short-chain carbohydrates other than lactose — certain people may be susceptible to gas production from fermentation of other carbohydrates such as fructose, present in many foods including honey, corn syrup and some fruits. Common complaints with flatulence Some of the more unpleasant or embarrassing problems with flatulence include: Loud flatus — this is caused by the muscles of the bowel forcing air through the tight ring of muscle at the anus.

Suggestions include passing the air with less power, and reducing the amount of intestinal gas by making dietary adjustments. Smelly flatus — the gas produced by bacterial fermentation can smell, depending on the food eaten. Suggestions include limiting common culprits such as garlic, onions, spicy foods and beer.

Avoiding lying in a supine position for at least two hours after eating can also help, says Priyanka Chugh, assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

In conjunction with this, Chugh says, eat your food slowly, chew it carefully, avoid gulping water and skip the bubbly drinks altogether. Lastly, over-the-counter products such as simethicone Gas X, Phazyme and Beano alpha Galactosidase can help with excess bloating and gassiness caused by our diets. You are leaving AARP. Please return to AARP. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age.

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We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. When to See a Healthcare Provider. Prevention and Treatment. Don't Believe These Flatulence Myths. Recap It's normal to fart up to 25 times per day. Is Holding in a Fart Bad for You? Why Do Beans Cause Gas? Diagnosing Causes of Intestinal Gas. Recap If your excessive gas is caused by an underlying disorder, your doctor will want to treat that first.

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