Flatulence And Serious Illnesses

The Association Between Flatulence And Serious Illnesses

Intestinal Gases Cause Flatulence  Flatulence can cause different emotions, dependent on the person and situation. In some cases it can be very embarrassing, such as in the middle of an interview; however, flatulence can also be rather amusing when you are among your friends at a raucous party. Irrespective of the response it can cause, flatulence can sometimes be more than just a poorly digested dinner; in fact it can sometimes be a symptom of a serious illness.

While some will use herbal remedies as a flatulence treatment, or just walk the flatulence off; there are others who find their flatulence to be a symptom or sign of a life-threatening illness. Some of the more common conditions are discussed below:

1. Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a severe disease that is also known as regional enteritis. It is a bowel disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Symptoms include inflammation, blood-filled diarrhea, severe abdominal pains, vomiting and flatulence.

2. Gastritis

Gastritis is another type of inflammation disease that occurs in the stomach lining. The primary causes of acute gastritis include excessive alcohol and drug intake (including Ibuprofen and Aspirin). Symptoms of this condition include vomiting, bloating, indigestion and subsequential flatulence.

3. Gastric Flu

Gastric flu is also known as gastroenteritis and a ‘tummy bug’. This inflammatory condition is generally seen when there are digestive difficulties within the stomach and small intestine, resulting in severe diarrhea and vomiting. Some will also experience intense flatulence.

4. Hypolactasia

Hypolactasia is more commonly known as lactose intolerance. This is the inability to digest the sugar known as lactose and is evident in a vast majority of the global population. Unfortunately, when an individual who is unable to metabolize lactose ingests lactose he/she will experience bloating, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence and severe acid reflux.

5. Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis is a type of infection that occurs when one ingests water and/or fresh produce that has been contaminated by feces. This is seen among many individuals in third world countries and is a large travelling risk for individuals who visit those areas. The cyclospora cayetanensis protozoan infects the small intestine, incubating in the lining; thus causing blood-filled diarrhea, vomiting, bloating and flatulence.

In conclusion, flatulence can be an amusing (although embarrassing) behavior; however, it is vital to establish whether or not it is a symptom of a larger difficulty before writing it off as a mere digestion problem.