What foods cause flatulence? Chewing gum without sugar

It is quite obvious that there is nothing shameful in human physiology, but, nevertheless, such beautiful word"flatulence",

meaning bloating due to increased gas production, is in the untouchable category: it is taboo to discuss it.

By sharing that you are “suffering from a migraine” or “your blood pressure is up,” you can certainly get a good dose of sympathy, but revelations that your “stomach is swelling” will cause, at a minimum, bewilderment. But the problem is very common!

Gases: where do they come from?

What gases live in our body and where do they come from?

Everyone has gases. Most gases are a waste product of bacteria that live in the intestines.

1. Stomach
Normally, the stomach contains about 900 ml of air daily. Air gets there when eating and drinking. For example, with a drunk glass of water, up to 200 ml of air can enter the body. Eating quickly helps you swallow more air. Excess air accumulated in the stomach is expelled from the body during belching.

2. Small intestine
IN small intestine there is a physiological chemical reaction- hydrochloric acid (stomach contents) mixes with alkali (intestinal contents), and a reaction occurs with the release of carbon dioxide. Some of the carbon dioxide is absorbed into the blood, and some moves further and leaves the large intestine.

3. Large intestine
In the large intestine, as a result of bacterial fermentation of intestinal contents, gases are formed, which include hydrogen, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, mercaptan and methane in various proportions.
Mercaptan and methane are compounds that give intestinal gas an unpleasant odor. In addition, they are highly toxic and flammable.

The body has a special detoxification system, thanks to which these toxic intestinal gases do not circulate in the bloodstream, but are eliminated.

One liter is approximately the same amount of gas released on average human body per day. The composition of these gases can change significantly depending on what food you eat, what air you breathe during the day, depending on the types of bacteria in your gut, and depending on how long you retain the gases inside your body.

Typically, your rectum will release 9% nitrogen, 21% hydrogen, 9% carbon dioxide, 7% methane, 4% oxygen and 1% hydrogen sulfide (this component gives the unforgettable aroma of your farts) during a fart.

The smell of this gas is formed by tiny amounts of components containing sulfur and nitrogen, which are formed in our body due to incompletely digested food and due to bacteria living in the rectum.
The sulfur compound is mainly hydrogen sulfide and mercaptan (an organic sulfur compound in which oxygen is replaced by sulfur).
The nitrogen compounds are mainly skatole and indole.

99 percent of the gas you produce doesn't smell. The unpleasant odor of gases is largely due to the presence of sulfur compounds in them, such as hydrogen sulfide.
In the process of converting food into useful nutrients, the bacteria produce a smelly byproduct of hydrogen sulfide (the same stench that comes from rotten eggs).

Although not all products are complex carbohydrates contain sulfur in beans, onions, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, milk and many other products have it.

The gaseous response of bacteria to nutrition varies from person to person (since everyone has a unique "collection" of microorganisms), there are basic gas-generating ingredients:

• Fructose - natural ingredient plants such as onions, corn, wheat and even pears. Often present in sugar syrup for soft drinks and fruit drinks.
• Lactose is a sweet natural ingredient that is added to various products nutrition.
• Raffinose - found in grains and various vegetables.
• Sorbitol – Found in almost all fruits, it is also used as an artificial sweetener in dietary products. Yes, sugarless gum, candy, and anything else deceptively sweet from sorbitol can cause bloating.

Foods that are rich in sulfur include cabbage, eggs and meat. It is because of this food that “human” gas may have a stronger odor.

It is noteworthy that that beans and legumes produce a lot of gas, but the smell is not as strong.
Another remarkable fact is that the pressure that is exerted on our intestines due to the gas accumulated in it is sometimes twice as much as the pressure of air pumped into a regular car inner tube!

By the way, women fart no less often than men. According to several studies, when eating the same food, women tend to release even more concentrated gas than men.

“Something was eaten wrong!”

Why does my stomach swell? The very first thing that comes to mind in this case is the relationship with the food consumed: “Oh, I probably ate something wrong.”.
Is it so? Yes and no - indeed, a lot depends on the food you eat, but not everything. If the reason for concern has recently appeared and flatulence is a fleeting phenomenon in your life, it is quite possible that the culprit is precisely what got into the stomach.

As already mentioned, in principle, the digestion of any food is a fermentation process. When there are not enough enzymes for digestion, gases are formed.
Fermentation and breakdown of fats, proteins, carbohydrates occurs in duodenum and small intestine. And absorption occurs in the large intestine. 90% of microflora lives in the large intestine.

Products that could affect the normal level of gases in the body:

• foods that cause gas formation (cabbage, legumes, apples, highly carbonated drinks);
• food that causes fermentation processes (kvass, beer, black bread).

Eliminate foods completely causing gas formation, impossible, there are too many of them. Gas formation may cause legumes(beans, peas, beans, soybeans) , yeast-containing products, flour, apples, cabbage(white cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower) , tomatoes, carbonated drinks, milk, bran, starches (potatoes), sauces, corn, etc.

Paradoxical but true: many healthy foods cause bloating. Especially those that are rich in dietary fiber - cereal flakes, beans and other legumes. Dietary fiber is essential for health, but its absorption is associated with the active release of gases. This does not bother most people, but those suffering from bloating should not eat a lot of fiber-enriched bread; it is advisable to limit the consumption of fruits, nuts, and seeds. Healthy cereal bars, by the way, are also problematic in this sense. Often leads to gas and bloating protein diets, including the Atkins diet.

The foods that cause gas are united by one thing: carbohydrates - sugars. It is sugars, and these include starch and many other easily digestible carbohydrates, that are food for microbes living in the large intestine. Try keeping a food diary. For a week or a little longer, write down everything you eat. Determine what you eat on days when your stomach is bloated and when you don't. Most likely, it turns out that your stomach is bloated from food that contains sugar (especially lactose), which is included in many products.

Give up dairy products for a week and see what difference it makes. If the gases disappear, lactose intolerance is evident.

With absence enzymatic disorders in the body, you can cope with the problem of gas formation first of all by limiting the consumption of these products and generally avoiding overeating.
The average serving volume should be no more than 200-250 ml. Then food bolus will reach the colon digested and the microbes will get almost nothing.

By the way, rice is the only carbohydrate, starch, that does not form gases in the body, but, on the contrary, adsorbs them.

The simplest treatment for flatulence, unless of course it is caused by an intestinal disease, is to avoid eating foods that promote the formation of gases and correct technique food.

1. Eat slowly - If you eat in a hurry, you will swallow a lot of air.
2. Chew your food thoroughly - large pieces take longer to digest, which means they spend more time in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. intestinal tract.
3. You need to chew food with your mouth closed and do not talk with your mouth full - this will allow you to swallow less air.
4. Do not drink hot drinks, wait until they cool down a little - when drinking a hot drink, you try to cool it by opening your mouth and swallowing a lot of air.
5. Reduce your consumption of carbonated drinks, including sparkling wines and beer.
6. Don't chew gum - chewing gum “helps” you swallow more air.
7. Don't drink through a straw.
8. Don't smoke after eating. It's best to quit smoking completely: o).

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get rid of flatulence through dietary changes alone. You will have to be examined by a gastroenterologist to find out whether any of the departments are seriously affected digestive tract.
If this is so, it’s worth saying “thank you” to flatulence - after all, it was he who initiated the examination: with accurate diagnosis, after which it is possible full treatment, which means getting rid of not only flatulence, but also many other problems that would sooner or later develop in the case of an advanced course of the disease.

But if no serious diseases requiring medical intervention are identified, then nutrition correction is a really big and effective step towards getting rid of flatulence.

Common causes of flatulence

It should be noted that the causes of long-term tormenting flatulence are quite diverse:

1. Insufficient enzyme activity.
Because of this, food is not digested as successfully as it should, so lower sections the intestines accumulate a large amount of undigested residues. The processes of fermentation and decay are activated, accompanied by the release of gases in increased quantity. Usually this problem is a consequence of diseases upper sections digestive tract (gastritis, duodenitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis), dysbacteriosis and others inflammatory processes in the intestines. Residues of food accumulate in the lower intestines, which should have been digested, but this did not happen due to the presence of the above diseases.)

2. Impaired intestinal motility.
This happens after organ surgery abdominal cavity. Due to the fact that the movement of food masses is slowed down, fermentation and putrefactive processes intensify, and more gases are formed.

3. Wrong food combinations.
The main source of gas formation within us is 2 processes: fermentation and rotting. If food stays inside us longer than it should, it begins to decompose on its own, releasing large amounts of smelly gases.

There are combinations of foods that are guaranteed to slow down or even stop the digestion process. For example, fat (like milk, by the way) is known for its digestion-slowing properties. Fat envelops the walls of the stomach with a thin film, preventing the secretion of digestive juices.
Moreover, when the fat itself is digested, carbon dioxide is released. That is, fatty foods give a double “gas effect”.

Or, for example, if you eat sweet food, washing it down with juice, and before that eat heavy, protein food (as often happens during feasts), then flatulence may occur. The same can be said about the combination of any milk products with animal proteins or unsweetened fruits. In addition, drinking soda with food also causes flatulence.

By the way, it turns out that the combination of nuts and dried fruits for the majority of the population will result in explosive flatulence, which will “delight” those around you for several hours!

For more details about food combinations... just Google it - there is plenty of information on this topic.

4. Stress, nervous overload.
We got nervous and got a stomach ache - a familiar situation, isn’t it? IN stressful situation stomach problems may get worse. Unpleasant experiences are one of the the most important factors development of irritable bowel syndrome. This disorder manifests itself at the slightest excitement with abdominal pain and diarrhea. Due to overexcitation of the nervous system, spasm of the intestinal muscles occurs. Gases accumulate, the intestines stretch unnecessarily, which is felt as pain.

5. Bad habits.
When eating in a hurry, which is called “on the go,” talking during a meal, or chewing gum for a long time, a much larger amount of air enters the stomach than is acceptable. Unfortunately, this does not pass without a trace: the air will wander through all parts of the digestive tract, causing rumbling in the stomach, sometimes pain, until it leaves the body. In addition, in the presence of air, the optimal ratio of microorganisms, which should normally be in the intestines, changes. Therefore, the digestion process is disrupted even more, and the manifestations of flatulence are aggravated.

Help your intestines with exercises

You can quickly eliminate bloating by increasing intestinal motility. If you don't have acute conditions, heavy infectious diseases and tumors in the abdominal cavity, this can be done with simple physical exercises.

The following exercises stimulate the intestines and facilitate the passage of gases:

Bend forward alternately to one leg, then to the second.

- “Bicycle”: from a lying position on your back, bend your knees and try to imitate riding a bicycle. 15 repetitions of circular leg movements are enough.

Lie on your stomach on a hard surface. Lean on your hands and begin to gradually lift your torso, bending in the lumbar spine. 10 lifts are enough.

Lying on your back, legs slightly bent at the knees: quickly pull in and relax your stomach. 15-20 times daily.

Abdominal massage. It is important to do it in a clockwise direction so that it coincides with intestinal peristalsis. Start movements with light superficial ones, moving on to deeper pressures.

Training the muscles of the perineum and anus: squeeze and unclench the anus up to 50 times daily.

This complex will be enough for you to significantly reduce the phenomenon of bloating. Within 3-5 days everything unpleasant symptoms will be completely eliminated. You will feel better and your stool will normalize.

Drug therapy for flatulence

What about medications?
Is it possible to take a pill and make everything go away immediately?

The following groups of drugs can be used to treat bloating:

• antispasmodics;
• enzymes;
• adsorbents;
• analgesics;
• enveloping agents;
• prokinetics;
• defoamers.

✅ Adsorbents (Activated carbon, smecta, polysorb) absorb gases and are eliminated from the body along with them. It would seem that the issue is resolved! They are prescribed if the cause of bloating is poor nutrition.
But along with unnecessary and inconvenient gases, they remove everything else that they can absorb. And adsorbents are capable of a lot, since they are completely non-selective - they work only due to their porous structure...
Therefore, together with them, both vitamins and minerals, and microorganisms that are normal inhabitants of the intestines.

If swallowed, activated charcoal may stick to the esophagus, causing discomfort.
In addition, the ability to adsorb gases is directly proportional to the size of the particles, so powdered enterosorbents are preferable in the treatment of flatulence; tablets should be chewed.
Activated carbon should be washed down well with water.

✅ Defoamers They work differently: they release gases from mucous vesicles, precipitating foam, which disrupts the absorption of nutrients and reduces enzyme activity.
Probably, defoamers are the most popular group of drugs for bloating. This includes the well-known Espumisan - “in
belly hurricane" and all his relatives. Active ingredient is simethicone.
Their action does not bring those side effects, which are described in adsorbents, but it also develops more slowly. Therefore for emergency assistance Adsorbents are taken in the form of short courses, and defoamers are taken for longer courses.

✅ Enzymes. Flatulence often occurs against the background chronic diseases digestive system. Patients may exhibit various abnormalities, for example, inflammatory processes of the pancreas, accompanied by low enzymatic activity and slow digestion. In this case, it is impossible to do without enzymes that break down nutrients and accelerate their absorption.
To improve digestion, the use of enzymatic agents is indicated medicines(panzinorm, pancreatin, festal, mezim) - as prescribed by a doctor.
Everyone knows the names: “Mezim” is irreplaceable for the stomach.” “The stomach can’t do it - “Festal” will help” and others, no less interesting. The principle of operation is simple: if you drink the medicine, the food will be digested.
In fact, there is an addiction and after long-term continuous use, your own organs significantly reduce the production
own enzymes. Can be used as a temporary remedy for chronic pancreatitis, gastritis and cholecystitis. Side effects include diarrhea.
Enzymes are strictly contraindicated in the presence of hepatitis and intestinal obstruction.

✅ If during the examination changes in the acidity level of gastric juice are detected, agents are used that normalize secretion of hydrochloric acid, and enveloping drugs(Almagel, Phosphalugel, Sucralfate, Vikair, etc.).
They are prescribed to protect the inflamed gastric mucosa.

✅ Prokinetics- drugs in this group normalize the contractions of the muscles of the esophagus and stomach. Often the problem of flatulence is caused by slow movement of food masses. In this case, the food simply “stands” in the stomach and intestines, without moving lower, and begins to ferment with the formation of gases. Treatment consists of accelerating the process of food evacuation, while gases are eliminated under the action of peristalsis.
Prokinetics seem to “push” food in the right direction, thereby reducing the feeling of heaviness in the upper abdomen, including that that occurs after overeating, belching and other unpleasant symptoms.
Motilium, Motilak, Domperidone, Passazhix are sold without a prescription in almost all countries of the world.

✅ Antispasmodics. Many people who suffer from flatulence, due to the accumulation of gases, experience severe pain in a stomach. They can be either permanent or periodic. The pain is more like sharp spasms that most often occur after eating, especially against the background of overeating.
In these cases, the doctor prescribes antispasmodics from the trimebutine group. In addition to improving intestinal motility, they relieve spasms of the digestive system. Trimebutine normalizes the evacuation of gases, preventing them from accumulating, and also promotes the dissolution of gases.

First aid for bloating

Attention: Doses are for adults. For children, drugs are available in the form of suspensions. The doctor selects the dosage based on the weight and age of the child.

Traditional medicine against bloating

• With bloating and increased gas formation, the following folk remedy, proven by many generations, is an excellent help. Take two tablespoons of dill seed and pour a glass of boiling water. Let it brew and strain the broth through a fine strainer. Drink half a glass several times a day.

• From funds traditional medicine good carminative tea. It is made from equal parts of fennel fruit, valerian root and mint leaves. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes and take a third of a glass 3 times a day.
• A drink made from cumin helps with flatulence. Pour 1 teaspoon of ground cumin into 250 ml of boiling water, let stand for 15 minutes with the lid closed, stir) or dill (1 teaspoon of seeds, pour 150 ml of boiling water, strain after 10-15 minutes).
• You can also eat a teaspoon of ground cumin and drink plenty of water. It works as a carminative, relaxes the intestines, facilitates the passage of gases, and relieves pain associated with flatulence.

There is a point in fighting flatulence - the reward will not just be getting rid of unpleasant symptoms, but also improving the digestion process as a whole, the quality of which, as is known, depends on longevity, appearance, and the general perception of life.
Based on materials from www.1tv.ru, medimir.ru, www.zoj.kz

PS. Many women experience bloating before menstruation due to changes in hormone levels. Women before menopause complain about the same problem. During menopause, bloating is often accompanied by constipation. In this case, it is advisable to consult a doctor and nutritionist.

The condition improves by taking B vitamins and eating foods containing potassium and magnesium. If bloating is accompanied by pain and cramping, it is advisable to go to bed and put a warm compress on your stomach.

Many people feel how coffee affects the intestines within 10-30 minutes after drinking a cup of their favorite drink. Symptoms manifest themselves in different ways - it may be the urge to go to the toilet, there may be pain or stinging, heartburn, flatulence. They manifest themselves in weak or to a strong extent, and a person does not always associate them with the fact that he drank his espresso or latte. But everyone who cares about their health should know about the effect of coffee on the intestines in order to understand what is happening to their body.

How does coffee affect the intestines?

The effect of coffee on digestive system, including the small and large intestines, the most direct. If you drink it on an empty stomach, the effect can be noticeable within 10-15 minutes, during which time the drink passes through the stomach and begins to be absorbed. If you first have a hearty breakfast or at least eat a sandwich with your morning coffee, the effect may occur after 30-40 minutes and be weaker.

It doesn't matter whether you drink natural or instant drink, decaf or regular. The effect is caused not only by caffeine, but also by other components, and there are about 2000 of them in the grain, and not all of them have been studied.

So, let’s understand the effects that are caused by the influence of coffee on the intestines, and the reasons for their manifestation.

Usually occurs in the small intestine and may feel like a pain in the stomach. Quite strong, it comes suddenly, it feels like your stomach is cramping.

The reason most often is drinking coffee on an empty stomach, especially if a person has not had enough sleep, is stressed, is sick, or the body is weakened. A sharp intake of hot, strong black coffee (especially instant) leads to the release of adrenaline into the blood, caffeine quickly enters the brain, and weakened nervous system perceives it as a toxin. And you need to get rid of the toxin. The intestines contract, peristalsis accelerates, the muscles actively work - you need to move the stimulus faster and remove it from the body.

To get rid of intestinal pain after coffee, try drinking more water and induce vomiting. Or just drink water, after 15-20 minutes you will feel better.

Diarrhea

Actually, the result quick disposal body from toxins. If, according to the body, there were a lot of toxins, diarrhea can be very rapid and severe, however, it will pass quickly. Just remember to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

The problem may be caused solely by coffee with milk, since it is often poorly absorbed by the adult body. Since it is not digested, the product enters the intestines as is, diluting feces, fills the gaps, the stool becomes liquid. Giving up milk can completely solve the problem.

The urge to have a bowel movement

If the dose is small, the effect of coffee on the intestines is weak, but it is there. About a third of people obviously want to go to the toilet after drinking coffee, but their stomach doesn’t hurt. Intestinal motility accelerates, this good effect for those suffering from constipation or those who want to lose weight, but do not use it too often. It also helps in cases after operations on the gastrointestinal tract, when you cannot strain too much.

If you can’t go to the toilet without coffee, you need to see a doctor; over time, the intestines will cope with their work worse and worse, accustomed to the fact that coffee stimulates it. Constipation cannot be treated with coffee.

Constipation

The opposite effect, but in some people this is exactly what appears, especially in those who drink large amounts of the drink, sit a lot and drink little water. Caffeine is in some way a diuretic, that is, it has diuretic effect. When water is constantly eliminated, stool becomes dry and hard.

In this case, it is illogical to fight the problem with another cup of coffee, or you can try washing it down with plenty of water. But in general, it is better to reduce the volume of the drink, switch to coffee with milk or drink a weaker one. By the way, adding sugar can also give the drink a fixing effect.

Flatulence

The effect occurs after various reasons. For some people, coffee entering the stomach slows down the digestion process; food is not digested and ends up in the intestines. It may also be due to the ice-cold drink, which also stops the digestion process. Or too hot, scalding.

In any case, semi-digested food cannot be quickly processed in the intestines, and due to the abundance of bacteria and enzymes, the process of rotting begins, which is accompanied by bloating and flatulence.

The effects manifest themselves differently and unsystematically for everyone. Only the urge to urgently visit the toilet can be considered relatively systematic; according to various studies, they occur in at least a third of people (according to some data, almost 80%). The role can be played by:

• Individual sensitivity to coffee;
• The method of preparing the drink is that the grounds in unfiltered form are more irritating to the intestines;
• Adding sugar and milk-sugar may have a fixing effect, and milk may have a laxative effect, the overall effect is individual;
• Flavorings and impregnations for taste;
• Temperature, including very hot or iced coffee;
• Natural and instant drink;
• Stress and weakness of the body;
• The way in this moment the person feels.

The effect of coffee on the intestines can vary significantly, so if any symptoms concern you, try to remember or write down how and what kind of coffee you drank and how you felt. You may need to limit your use or see a doctor for a diagnosis.

Conclusions:

1. Coffee begins to act on the intestines within half an hour after drinking; when drinking on an empty stomach, the effect can be felt within a few minutes.
2. The most common symptoms are flatulence, bloating, laxative effect, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, severe pain.
3. The effect different people may differ significantly.
4. If your symptoms become severe, you may need to see a doctor.

Many people face the problem of bloating. Increased formation and accumulation of gases in the intestines (flatulence) is accompanied by discomfort, a feeling of fullness, and often abdominal pain and causes many problems and disrupts the usual way of life.

This condition may be a manifestation of a disease, but it often occurs in completely healthy people. Such sensations are a consequence of their diet and diet.

Many products, including dairy, cause fermentation, excessive gas formation, and as a result - bloating from milk, which is the most frequent occasion for such a condition. His poor tolerance occurs more often in mature people.

Mechanism of flatulence

The most common cause of bloating is drinking whole milk. large quantities. But for some people, even a small portion is enough to start the fermentation process in the intestines with all the unpleasant consequences.

This is explained by fermentopathy: for the breakdown milk sugar- lactose - in the human body a certain enzyme is responsible - lactase. It is produced by intestinal cells. Lactase breaks down milk sugar into glucose and galactose.

In the absence or insufficient amount of the enzyme (hypolactasia) or the consumption of a large volume of consumed dairy products from whole milk, the process of fermentation and gas formation in the intestines sharply increases. And then the stomach swells from milk, it increases in volume, discomfort or cramping pain appears, nausea is possible, sometimes vomiting, problems with stool - painful frequent diarrhea is a concern.

The general condition is not disturbed: if a person is healthy, he continues his usual activities, but feels physically and mentally uncomfortable.

Enzyme deficiency - age-related changes

At birth, the baby's body contains enough lactase to digest milk. Although there are exceptions here in the form of congenital enzyme deficiency (in such cases, the child is transferred to formulas that do not contain lactose).

With age, the level and activity of lactase decreases, and hypolactasia develops. According to statistics, 90% of representatives of the Negroid and Asian races are initially practically deprived of this enzyme at birth.

A person is classified as lactose-sensitive if, after consuming dairy products, bloating appears within an hour due to active gas formation. In some people, the decrease in lactase in the body with age reaches such low levels that they are not able to tolerate all milk products without exception.

In addition to enzymatic action, there is another possibility for the breakdown of lactose in the body: the effect on milk lactose bacterial microflora, normally present in the intestine. But the activity of bacteria also leads to increased formation of gases, aggravating flatulence.

Foods that cause flatulence

Products that are contraindicated for people with lactose intolerance include the following:

• milk (whole or skim, powdered);
• fresh kefir, curdled milk, fermented baked milk, fatty varieties cheese;
• serum;
• butter and creams based on it;
• ice cream.

Can be consumed fermented milk drinks, which have stood for 2–3 days, grainy cottage cheese. They contain live lactobacilli that will take part in digestive process and ease the condition. There are special acidophilus supplements that can be used successfully with food. But this does not apply to people with severe hypolactasia. You need to know that sometimes dairy products cause increased gas formation. It's connected with:

• existing dysbacteriosis;
• insufficiently high-quality dairy products with a low content of probiotics;
• adding fruit additives and sweeteners to yoghurts and curd desserts, which are a substrate for the proliferation of microflora and rapid gas formation in the intestines.

You cannot combine dairy products with grains (porridge, baked goods, cookies), which significantly enhance the formation of gases.

Other causes of lactose intolerance

Other reasons lead to the body’s inability to digest milk sugar, and, as a result, to bloating after drinking milk:

• inflammatory bowel diseases ( ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease);
• malabsorption syndrome;
• dysbacteriosis;
• recent intestinal infections;
• previous intestinal surgeries;
• taking antibiotics;
• state after various types anticancer treatment;
• immunodeficiency states.

Diagnosis of lactase fermentopathy

The diagnosis of lactose intolerance is confirmed if pain, bloating, a feeling of fullness and diarrhea appear after drinking milk or products made from it.

There are medical tests to detect lactose intolerance. You can carry out the simplest of them yourself: do not eat foods containing milk sugar for several days. Then in the morning on an empty stomach drink 2 glasses of milk. If you have lactose intolerance, it will appear after some time. clinical manifestations: flatulence, cramping abdominal pain, diarrhea.

Over the next few days, stop drinking milk again. If the condition returns to normal and the unpleasant symptoms disappear, the diagnosis can be considered established.

Urgent measures to save from flatulence

If flatulence has already developed, you can take any enterosorbent: several tablets of activated carbon (depending on weight), Maalox, Polysorb, Digel, Enterosgel are also effective. They significantly reduce flatulence and belching, but are symptomatic means and there is no cure for fermentopathy.

Is it possible to get rid of milk intolerance?

There is no cure for this condition. You can control the situation as follows:

• take ready-made enzyme with milk (sold in pharmacies in the form of capsules);
• consume milk with lactase already added initially;
• milk with oatmeal does not cause flatulence or to a very weak extent;
• exclude milk and dairy products from the diet;
• find an acceptable level of milk consumption that does not cause flatulence. To do this, it is recommended to keep a diary with detailed notes about when and how much dairy products are eaten and how the intestines react to them.

If flatulence appears, consultation with a specialist is necessary, since more than 80 diseases of the digestive system can be accompanied by these unpleasant manifestations.

Persistent bloating can occur as a result of many factors. Carbonated water, as well as quickly digestible carbohydrates, such as sweets or baked goods, can cause short-term bouts of bloating. Another fermentation reaction and, as a result, bloating, is provoked by the consumption of foods containing large amounts of fiber and starch (legumes, potatoes, cabbage). If a person experiences constant discomfort in the abdomen, in the form of bloating, this may be a sign of some kind of disease of the digestive tract; this condition requires consultation with a specialist.

A symptom such as bloating can have a variety of causes:

• First of all, this is an insufficient amount of enzymes produced. If a “bloated belly” appears after drinking milk, this is a symptom of a deficiency of the lactase enzyme, which is responsible for fermenting milk. As a result of the fact that milk is not processed in the stomach, it enters the intestines and the fermentation process begins there.
• Dysbacteriosis (disturbance of intestinal microflora) is also possible reason bloating. Normal microflora intestines can be replaced pathogenic flora as a result of certain diseases, taking antibiotics or poor nutrition. In this regard, rotting processes of food debris take place in the intestinal lumen, which causes discomfort in the abdomen. During such conditions, the bloating diet should contain pre- and probiotics.
• Impaired blood circulation, intestinal motility. Motor activity intestines in such cases can activate physical exercise. The anti-bloating diet is well complemented by sports or regular walks, since any movement is beneficial.

What causes bloating?

Discomfort in the abdominal area can also cause a reaction in other body systems, causing shortness of breath, sleep disturbances, weakness and migraines, painful sensations in heart. If you have constant pain in the abdomen and bloating, you must undergo a comprehensive examination and get tested. Regardless of the reasons for bloating, the patient should eat rationally or stick to a diet. The anti-bloating diet involves minimizing or completely eliminating simple carbohydrates, starch-containing products, products containing coarse fiber. To avoid the formation of gases in the intestines effective remedy for bloating - sorbents, for example - activated carbon. And additionally, to restore the microflora, medications containing lactobacilli. If the patient experiences severe pain, antispasmodics can be used.

If there is excessive gas formation, you can use products that reduce their formation. Foods that reduce bloating:

• Herbal medicinal teas, which include mint, St. John's wort and chamomile;
• Products containing dietary fiber (vegetables, cereals). Also bread with bran and flour coarse. Their consumption should not be excessive, as dishes made from them can cause heaviness in the stomach;
• Rice is an easily digestible grain that has a beneficial effect on intestinal function.

What foods are best to avoid:

• Milk. Nowadays, there are dairy products that already contain lactase and can be consumed. Also products that contain lactobacilli. The list of permitted products also includes natural, preferably low-fat yogurt, without fillers;
• Fatty foods (animal fats, offal, pork). Butter for frying, it is most useful to replace with any vegetable, preferably olive;
• Strongly brewed coffee, tea, dark chocolate can lead to severe irritability of the intestines and stomach, so people suffering from bloating should limit these products in their diet;
• Soda sweet drinks. You should not drink them due to the properties of carbonic acid to irritate the gastric mucosa and promote gas formation; moreover, the large amount of sugar they contain supports fermentation processes in the intestines, and therefore bloating;
• Raw vegetables. It is best and healthiest to eat vegetables that have been steamed, baked in the oven, or, in extreme cases, boiled. Since they are best absorbed;
• Cabbage and apples. The acids contained in these products can irritate the walls gastrointestinal tract, and therefore - bloating. The anti-bloating diet involves chewing food thoroughly, as this facilitates the digestion process.

Bloating in women can also be associated with menstruation. In this case, taking B vitamins and eating foods containing magnesium and potassium help.

Fasting days and mono-diet

The diet for bloating must necessarily come into contact with fasting days which should be done twice a week. The stomach can rest from heavy foods and work in an overloaded rhythm. For this, mono-diets are best suited, for example, kefir or rice, as well as buckwheat. To restore normal peristalsis and stomach function, eat warm rice or drink kefir throughout the day. This will cleanse the body and normalize intestinal function.

Dill water and diet for bloating

Bloating in the intestinal tract is perfectly relieved by this traditional medicine recipe, tested by many people: take two tablespoons of caraway or dill seeds and pour 200 ml of boiling water. After this, leave and strain through cheesecloth or a sieve. It is good to drink the liquid two to three times a day, half a glass. A decoction of fennel seeds is used for the same purposes.

Causes of bloating - diet for bloating

How to eat varied and tasty if almost any food causes bloating? Nutritionists say there is a way out. Let's figure it out.

What foods cause gas and bloating?

The standard set of symptoms of digestive failure includes colic and cramping in the intestinal area, accompanied by rumbling, nausea, sour belching, bad taste, problems with bowel movements (constipation or diarrhea), frequent passage of gases. Most often, gastrointestinal disorders are caused by poor diet and eating habits. Foods that make your stomach swell can also become a provoking factor for the appearance of bloating.

However, often bloating due to the consumption of certain foods indicates the presence of existing problems. For example, with diagnosed enterocolitis and colitis, patients experience a particularly strong exacerbation of symptoms from grapes eaten even in small quantities. Patients with pancreatic, liver and gallbladder diseases respond poorly to egg yolk, which causes them to produce excessive gas. For the same reason, patients with ulcers and gastritis cannot eat most types of cheese.

Vegetables can cause bloating in almost anyone. The reason for this is the acids they contain, as well as coarse dietary fiber. On the one hand, fiber improves gastrointestinal motility, but on the other, if you eat vegetables along with incompatible foods (for example, carbohydrate-containing ones), then the appearance of flatulence cannot be avoided.

What vegetables make you swell when you eat them:

• from corn;
• from cucumbers*;
• from tomatoes;
• from beans;
• from zucchini.

* you can eat thin young or ripe cucumbers in pureed form.

Fresh fruits are “dangerous” for patients suffering from flatulence. Melon causes bloating due to the large amount of fruit sugar present in the fruit pulp. Sugar increases fermentation, leading to belching and gas accumulation. The same goes for watermelons. Watermelon makes your stomach swell especially if you eat it as a dessert after the main meal. Flatulence from apples occurs due to the inhibitory effect of acidic varieties of this fruit on the production of ptyalin (an enzyme responsible for salivary digestion). Baked apples, on the other hand, are wonderful dietary product, if consumed in moderation.

Many varieties of sour fruits and berries (for example, cherries) cause intestinal irritation. If dyspepsia disrupts the usual rhythm of life, it is better to abandon them for a long period. You don’t have to exclude all fruits from your diet; sometimes you can simply limit the amount you eat. So, bananas often make your stomach swell when they are consumed in large quantities. Otherwise, it is an excellent part of the diet and can be used as a snack.

Flatulence excludes the consumption of many foods, but a variety of grains may remain in the diet. From oatmeal cooked in water, the gastric mucosa will quickly calm down, which will reduce irritation throughout the digestive tract. Can't eat oatmeal with milk and sugar: the benefits of such a dish are less than those of regular boiled oats. Buckwheat causes bloating in the abdomen if a person suffers from a severe form of gastritis: buckwheat grains have a fairly large fraction and can be difficult to digest for a sick stomach. It is recommended to eat secha (crushed buckwheat porridge). For everyone else, eating buckwheat should not provoke flatulence. On the contrary, it is considered one of the most optimal options for a diet for dyspepsia.

A gastroenterologist will explain in detail which vegetables and fruits cause bloating, and will also help you choose a course of medications that eliminate discomfort in the digestive system.

Prohibited foods for bloating should be removed from the main diet for at least a month, until all symptoms of flatulence and dyspepsia disappear. The diet will work more effectively if combined with physical exercise and special drugs that improve digestion.

What kind of bread makes your stomach bloat?

Yeast baked goods and black bread increase acidity in the stomach, cause fermentation processes and, as a result, increased gas formation. Flatulence can be caused by almost all types of baked goods containing a high amount of carbohydrates. Fresh bakery products increase bloating the most. It is recommended that those suffering from bloating eat only dried wheat bread.

Can coffee make you swell?

Caffeine is believed to aggravate symptoms of bloating and flatulence. Strong coffee will irritate the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. And this is a direct path to worsening IBS symptoms and the appearance of discomfort in the form of distension, cramping spasms, etc. If, after a cup of strong drink, rumbling and the urge to emit gas appear in the stomach, it is better to exclude coffee from the diet.

Products for bloating: list

When flatulence appears, the patient is prescribed a restrictive diet, and sometimes it seems that almost everything is prohibited. But that's not true.

Foods that do not cause gas and bloating:

• Low-fat varieties of fish and meat;
• Decoctions of herbs and berries (bird cherry, blueberry, rose hips);
• Soft-boiled eggs, steam omelet;
• Green leaf tea;
• Cereals (buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, semolina, rice);
• Compotes;
• Pumpkin, potatoes, carrots (not raw);
• Broths in unsaturated concentration;
• Parsley, spinach, dill, celery (leaves);
• Broccoli.

Fruits that don't cause bloating:

• Grenades;
• Mango;
• Kiwi;
• Raspberries;
• Blueberry;
• A pineapple.

Diet for bloating and flatulence

To get rid of bloating and involuntary release of gas, you need to adhere to special regime nutrition. Let's make a reservation right away: the diet must be strict. Curing irritable bowel syndrome is quite difficult, so full compliance with all the rules will be effective in the fight against flatulence.

How to eat:

• Meals should be regular and preferably at the same time;
• You need to eat at least 4-5 times a day (ideally three full meals and one snack);
• You can't wash down your food. You can drink only 30 - 40 minutes after finishing breakfast, lunch or dinner, otherwise the gastric juice produced will be diluted;
• Don't rush while eating. Food should be well chewed. It is not recommended to eat quickly, swallowing air - this aggravates flatulence;
• You should not eat too hot or cold food, this provokes gastrointestinal irritation. Food should be warm;
• Products are processed by boiling, stewing or baking. Fried, spicy, pickled and salty foods are completely excluded.

The duration of the diet is individual for each patient. The minimum period is two to three weeks, but sometimes treatment requires a longer period. Success largely depends on how responsibly a person approaches compliance correct mode nutrition. Eliminated foods should be reintroduced back into the diet gradually, one or a couple of foods per week.

Menu for the week

When planning your diet for the week, try to diversify your meal options. You shouldn’t rely on oatmeal and kefir alone. Food should be varied.

Monday

1. Breakfast – buckwheat egg, a glass of jelly;
2. Lunch – vegetable soup, steamed meatballs, green tea;
3. Snack – a handful of dried fruits;
4. Dinner – boiled turkey, baked sweet peppers, a glass of kefir.

Tuesday

1. Breakfast – milk noodles, 100 grams of dried apricots;
2. Lunch – vegetable salad, baked chicken fillet;
3. Snack – yogurt;
4. Dinner – baked pumpkin, biscuits, rosehip broth.

Wednesday

1. Breakfast – cottage cheese with sour cream and prunes;
2. Lunch – fish broth, baked trout with vegetables, black tea without sugar;
3. Snack – a cup of chicory and toast with butter;
4. Dinner – baked apples with cinnamon and honey, natural sourdough yogurt.

Thursday

1. Breakfast – grated baked carrot puree, avocado salad;
2. Lunch – boiled rice with sweet pepper, green cabbage soup;
3. Snack – chamomile tea, a couple of spoons of honey;
4. Dinner - cottage cheese casserole, a glass of curdled milk.

Friday

1. Breakfast – millet porridge, boiled egg;
2. Lunch – lean beef stew with vegetables, grated boiled beets, herbal tea;
3. Snack - a handful walnuts, yogurt;
4. Dinner – stewed vegetables, a glass of ayran.

Saturday

1. Breakfast - oatmeal cooked in water, toast and a soft-boiled egg;
2. Dinner - mashed potatoes, a piece of boiled chicken;
3. Snack – baked apple;
4. Dinner – ratatouille of baked vegetables, berry jelly.

Sunday

1. Breakfast – omelet with green onions, a glass of mint tea;
2. Lunch – fish cutlets with buckwheat, vegetable salad;
3. Snack – steamed broccoli;
4. Dinner – boiled potatoes, kefir.