Gas
• Definition
Gastrointestinal gas is:
· Flatus: the gas passed from the colon
· Belching: the gas release from the stomach
• Overview
Flatus is derived from:
· swallowing air
· the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates which produces hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide gas and methane gas
• Common gas producing foods include:
· beans
· beer
· brussels sprouts
· cabbage
· coffee
· lentils
· onions
· peas
• Symptoms
Bloating
crampy abdominal pain
• Treatment
Dietary restriction of complex starches and fiber
References
Gas distribution within the human gut: effect of meals. Am J Gastroenterol. 2007 Apr;102(4):842-9. [PMID: 17397409]
Posted on September 24, 2008
