Disease

 
 
  
Disease
Gas
 

What is flatulence?

Flatulence is often due to swallowing of air (aerophagy). Under normal circumstances a small amount of air is swallowed with food, drink and saliva. Some of this gas is expelled as a belch. The remainder passes into the intestine. Most of the colonic gas is the consequence of bacterial action on food residues in the lower small intestine and colon.

What are the predisposing factors?

  1. Aerophagia : This is commonest factor involved. It may be due to faulty dietary habits such as eating fast, excessive consumption of carbonated drinks or tobacco or spicy foods.
  2. Psychological: Anxiety, grief, nervous tension play an important role.
  3. Diseases such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, may lead to flatulence.
  4. Mouth breathing is also a common factor.
  5. Abnormal bacterial flora : This may be the result of the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
  6. Constipation: This is the commonest pre-disposing factor and the most neglected too.
  7. Foods into which air is whipped e.g. dhokla, dosa etc.

    What are the signs and symptoms?

The signs and symptoms here probably need no introduction. But, persistent flatulence not responding to home remedies should make you cautious to seek professional advice, since it may be a symptom of an underlying disease such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, cholecystitis, hiatus hernia etc.

What are the investigations?

Plain X-ray of abdomen will reveal an underlying disease if there is any. In obstruction of the bowel there may be an excessive amount of gas and fluid in the bowel above the obstruction. This should be done only on professional advice.

In what way Ayurved can resolve this?

Following are some of the home remedies worth trying:

  1. Add 1tsp dry ginger powder to a glass of luke warm water and boil it to one fourth. Then stain and drink. Repeat the procedure at least twice or thrice daily.
  2. 2 tsp of bishop’s seeds with a glass of warm water, 2 to 3 times a day, will give good results.
  3. A glass of grape juice twice daily will be of immense help.
  4. A glass of lemon juice with a little ginger added to it will be of great help.
  5. Clove, asafetida, fennel seeds, bishops seeds, rock salt, black salt will do well.
  6. In small children 2 tsp asafetida mixed with water and applied to the abdomen as a paste gives good results.

  7. What are the preventive measures?
  • The preventive measures would be to refrain from gulping down food while eating, avoid consumption of carbonated drinks, tobacco, and spicy food.
  • Try to beat stress, since anxiety and nervous tension can be the possible cause of flatulence.
  • If constipated, a mild laxative daily will be of immense help.
  • Avoid the use of antibiotics for a long term or at least do not continue the drugs without doctor’s advice.

    What are the dietary recommendations and other regimen?
  1. The diet should include moong dal, black gram, grapes, figs, oranges, Indian goosberry, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Drink boiled water.
  3. If at home, drink warm water every time you feel thirsty.
  4. Avoid green peas, gram, curds, cheese, freeze water, potatoes, sago etc.
  5. Do not whip air into the mouth especially while drinking tea, coffee etc.
  6. Do not suppress the urges such as flatus, urine, stool etc.

We offer some classical Indian supportive remedies for this disease which are supposed to be taken strictly under medical supervision. Kindly Ask a Doctor