All human beings have gas in the stomach and intestines. Air enters the body when swallowed, this is called aerophagia . And the one that is not eliminated by burping will eventually pass through the digestive tract and be expelled as flatus through the rectum.
How Stomach Gas Is Produced
An average person can produce up to 1.5 liters of gases daily. These gases are made up of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and methane .
The annoying odor that these can generate is due to the bacteria present in the large intestine that produce gases that contain sulfur and sulfuric anhydride.
The accumulation of air in the stomach increases gastric volume, which activates the receptors in the gastric wall. This triggers a reflex that leads to gas passing through the upper digestive tract and occasionally produces an audible belching.
Excessive belching is often reported in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional dyspepsia.
Sometimes patients present with excessive belching as an isolated symptom. These patients burp at very high rates, up to 20 times per minute, and frequently during consultation.
This condition is known as aerophagia. In these patients, air is drawn into the esophagus or injected by pharyngeal contraction, after which it is immediately expelled.
Aerophagia is a behavioral disorder, and behavioral therapy and / or speech therapy appear to be the therapy of choice.
Causes of stomach gas
Gas in the large intestine is produced by fermentation of unabsorbed food by bacteria in the normal flora of the intestine. The main causes of excessive gas production are listed below:
Fermentation
The fermentation of food occurs in the large intestine, however, some bacteria ascend to the small intestine and produce early fermentation and because the digestion process has not finished, the production of gases that will later be expelled as flatulence increases.
Feeding Habits
Chewing food is the first step towards good digestion and producing adequate salivation to speed up the process.
In addition, when eating fast, people open their mouths too much and food is eaten with a large amount of air (aerophagia). In addition, other habits such as drinking liquid with a straw, chewing gum, sucking on candy or talking while eating, make you swallow air.
Excessive consumption of dairy
Some factors can affect lactase production, one of them is age. It is recommended to avoid its consumption or change it for alternatives of lactose-free products.
Food
The most common sources of gases are: high-fiber foods, some fruits and vegetables, beans, eggs, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, mushrooms, cabbage and bran, onion, sugars, sweetener, dairy, starches, carbonated drinks such as soda or beer.
Medical Pathology
Here are some medical conditions that can be conducive to the development of stomach gas and flatulence.
Imbalances in the bacterial flora
Some pathological conditions in the intestine such as infections can trigger an imbalance in the bacterial flora and in the pH of the intestine which increases gas production and can also cause diarrhea and weight loss.
Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is often a complication of other conditions.
Constipation
In cases of occasional or chronic constipation, stagnant stools in the intestine generate gas.
Intestinal disease
Chronic diseases such as diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, colon cancer, or any disease that causes intestinal obstruction.
Carbohydrate intolerance
Disorders to digest carbohydrates may cause symptoms such as gas, diarrhea and posterior abdominal distension dairy intake these include: i ntolerancia lactose, fructose intolerance and celiac disease corresponding to an immune disorder in which not can tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and some products like lip balm and cosmetics. When you have celiac disease, gluten damages the lining of the small intestine.
Irritable bowel syndrome
This syndrome can affect the way gas moves through the intestines and also causes abdominal pain or discomfort and changes in bowel movement patterns.
Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition that occurs when stomach contents return to your esophagus. People with GERD may burp repeatedly to relieve reflux symptoms.