Q. What is flatulance?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Flatulance, also known as passing gas or farting, is the act of releasing intestinal gas from the rectum. This is a normal part of digestion and consists mostly of odorless gases like oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and sometimes methane. In some cases it can contain trace amounts of other smelly compounds created by bacteria in the large intestine such as indole and skatole.
Flatulence can vary greatly between individuals depending on their diet and gut flora (the population and types of microorganisms that live in their intestines). Some foods are known to produce more flatulence than others; these include beans, lentils, cabbage-like vegetables (such as broccoli), dairy products (like milk), onions and garlic. Eating fiber-rich foods may also result in increased flatulence due to undigested material being broken down by bacteria in the large intestine. Stressful or emotional situations can also contribute to an increase in flatulation.
While it’s generally considered an uncomfortable topic for discussion - if not outright embarrassing - passing gas is natural body function that serves a purpose; it helps release toxins from the body through expelling residue gases from food digestion which would otherwise build up within your digestive system if not expelled this way.
Related Questions
-
Are there any ongoing research or clinical trials related to atrial fibrillation treatment and management? | Secondmedic
-
Are there any warning signs or early symptoms of myocardial infarction that I should be aware of? | Secondmedic
-
Are there any lifestyle changes or dietary recommendations for managing Congenital Heart Disease? | Secondmedic
-
What role do lifestyle factors play in triggering or exacerbating arrhythmia? | Secondmedic
-
Cardiology Heart disease What's the best way to control Atrial F