Belching and farting are unpleasant, get help!

Generally, we produce gas in both the small and large intestines, especially as our food is in the process of digestion.

But experts say while the gas in the large intestines (colon) is readily absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually exhaled either as a belch or as a fart, the gas that accumulates in the small intestine has nowhere to go, and it easily accumulates and puts pressure against the intestinal wall.

Gastroenterologists say when enough pressure builds, it translates into painful distensions, with symptoms that may include abdominal bloating, cramping, or intense pain. They also warn that gas produced by bacteria in the small intestine might cause either constipation or diarrhoea.

General Practitioner, Dr. Chika Okpala, says the dietary habits of people do influence how much gas their body produces.

He explains that if your diet is not rich in enough vegetables and fruits, it may lead to problems of indigestion and consequently, your body may start producing excessive gas.

“Too much gas is an indication that large quantities of food are passing through the gut undigested. This may lead to fermentation, as your food will literally rot inside your gut!” he warns.

Indeed, gastroenterologists warn that when food decomposes in the colon, it leads to the production of trace gases such as hydrogen sulfide, indole and skatole. No wonder you feel most uncomfortable when you have too much gas in your system.

With indigestion comes the problem of heartburn, gastric reflux and hyperacidity, experts say.

At the presentation of Gascol, a newly-repackaged antacid made by Fidson Healthcare Plc, a pharmacist, Mr. Friday Enaholo, says sometimes when we eat too late or when a meal is unduly heavy, digestion may be slowed down — especially among people ages 40 years up and pregnant women.

Nutritionists even warn that too much consumption of any particular food for an extended period may end up overwhelming all the elements that are necessary to fully break down food material and digest it. “That’s why flatulence is common among people who lack true knowledge of food combination.

“Such people belch endlessly; and among older adults, it’s one of the things that make them pass air through the anus virtually in an uncontrollable manner,” Enaholo enthuses.

Bacterial infection

Experts at American Gastroenterological Association say though gas is not necessarily a sign of any medical problem, it could become an issue when it makes you uncomfortable, as it is a warning that the small intestines have acquired a big army of bacteria!

The scientists say the amount of gas that each individual produces varies, with quantity ranging between a pint and half a gallon of gas per day! “Awesome,” I hear you exclaim.

And, would you know, too much gas puts your body under so much stress, with the implications that you end up swallowing much air — a situation that leads to more belching!

The authorities at AGA also note that another cause of repeated belching is gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining).

“There are many causes of acute or chronic gastritis, but the most common cause is infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). When this organism gets into the stomach, it can produce bloating,” the scientists submit.

Other causes of gassiness, experts say, include bacterial food poisoning, viral infections of the gut (gastroenteritis or ‘stomach flu’), peptic ulcers, gallstones/gallbladder disease, parasitic infections of the gut, etc.

Gas war is winnable

Experts say in the bid to treat gas-related problems, there may be need to start from diet elimination. In other words, you may be advised to watch your foods in order to eliminate the offending ones.

But in a situation where this step fails, physicians say, caution is advised, since calorie intake may probably have been restricted due to the symptoms caused by the gas.

They thus recommend intake of antacids — a substance which not only neutralises stomach acid but which also provides relief from acid-related pain.

Speaking at the presentation of Gascol, another pharmacist, Mr. Ola Ijimakin, notes that the new drug is effective in low doses because it possesses a large acid neutralising capacity that produces sustained relief and does not cause bloating, diarrhoea or constipation.

Again, Ijimakin says, the newly-repackaged drug is sugar-free because, as the American scientists warn, foods that contain sugar are difficult to digest and tend to accumulate in the colon, hence the formation of gas, to start with.

“The lack of sugar and artificial sweeteners make this newly-repackaged drug to be suitable for a large number of people, including those who are on no-sugar diet such as the diabetics; or those who are simply conscious of their food intake,” Ijimakin submits.

Indeed, physicians say a good antacid readily relieves gastric pain associated with hyperacidity in heartburn, gastric reflux and indigestion. It also relieves hyperacidity-induced pain associated with gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and peptic esophagitis, as well as pregnancy-related acid reflux.