Flatulence (Gas)
Flatulence is passing gas through the anus. For the average adult, this happens about 6 to 20 times a day.
Signs & Symptoms
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•Pressure or discomfort in the lower abdomen or anal area.
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•Passing gas. A foul odor occurs sometimes.
Causes
Gas is caused by swallowing air and digesting foods. Eating high fiber foods like beans, peas, and whole-grains create more gas than other foods. Dairy foods can create large amounts of gas in some people.
Gas may signal other problems, too. These include lactose intolerance, taking certain antibiotics, and abnormal muscle movement in the colon.
Gas can also be a symptom of celiac disease. With this, the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten. This is a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. Other symptoms of celiac disease are pain and bloating in the abdomen; diarrhea; weight loss; anemia; and a certain skin rash. Treatment is a gluten-free diet. Find out about celiac disease from www.celiac.nih.gov.
Treatment
Self-care treats most cases of gas. If the gas is due to another problem, treating the problem reduces or gets rid of the gas.