What can gases say about your health?

(CNN) – Just as everyone poops, everyone has gas. But the reasons why one might experience gas can vary, and it can sometimes be a cause for concern.

“As a pediatric gastroenterologist, I get asked about this all the time,” says Dr. Mark Corkins, MD, chief of pediatric gastroenterology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. “There are two sources of ‘gas’, and not all gas is gas. Some of what we expel is air. We all swallow some air, some swallow a lot of air, and this one seems to have no smell.”

On the other hand, the actual gas is basically a byproduct of food fermentation in the colon, said Corkins, also a professor of pediatrics. “The colon has (billions of) bacteria living in it… If we don’t digest (food), the bacteria will.”

He adds that relative to the amount of space gas takes up, the actual volume is usually larger and is produced as food moves through the colon.

“This is because people differ in terms of how their digestive system works, the microbiome that lives inside their digestive system, and what they eat. All of those things are really major factors in determining how often you pass gas, how often you pass, and how It smells like your own gas.

Experts say that some scents are more pungent than others for these reasons, but none are red flags.

Gas is not so much an indicator of bowel health as the frequency and texture of bowel movements. But food choices can cause more or less gas, and there are some points where gas should be mentioned by a doctor.

Flatulence factors

Gut flora is important because it helps the body make vitamins and produce certain short-chain fatty acids that nourish the lining of the colon, so a little gas (from these processes) is good, says Corkins. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t feed our plants, which is actually a symbiotic relationship,” he added.

What can particularly trigger gas, or excessive amounts of it, the experts said, is eating foods that are difficult to digest and therefore more likely to ferment.

“The traditional bean is the kidney bean, which is where there is protein that is difficult to digest,” Corkins explains.

Beans are a source of FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols). It is about carbohydrates carbon or short-chain sugars Which, in some people, is poorly absorbed by the small intestine, causing digestive problems such as gas, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, or flatulence. between the Foods high in FODMAPs Some vegetables, fruits, starches, and dairy products such as broccoli, garlic, apples, peaches, milk, wheat, and high-fructose corn syrup have been found in it.

“Many of us eat a lot of FODMAPs without knowing it, but everyone has a different pattern in terms of their ability to absorb and metabolize them,” explained Dr. Reena Yadlapati, associate professor of medicine in the university’s department of gastroenterology. California, San Diego.

“Some people, instead, will have problems when they eat a lot of red meat,” Chi said. “In fact, (for) almost everyone, if you eat enough red meat, you won’t be able to properly digest or absorb all of it, and it will end up in the colon, where it will ferment, producing gases and chemicals.”

He added that the same thing can happen with excess carbohydrates that are not absorbed and end up fermenting in the colon.

“The other thing is making sure your bowel habits are regular,” Chi said. “People who are constipated are more prone to bloating and flatulence. The reason is that if things are moving very slowly through their digestive tract, they have more time to interact with the bacteria in the digestive tract, especially the colon. They produce more gas.”

How to treat uncontrollable gases

If gas is causing you discomfort or interfering with your daily life, you should see a doctor, according to experts. There are other things you can try.

“We’re going to ask patients for each of these different factors — diet, microbiome, gastrointestinal function — and we’re going to try to correct some of those things that we think might be contributing to flatulence problems,” Chi said. “If someone is eating a typical western diet that has a lot of processed foods and carbohydrates, sugars and reducing that and eating a healthy diet can be really beneficial.”

A low-FODMAP diet is “probably one of the biggest interventions I’ve talked about with patients,” Yadlapati said.

You should also see your doctor if you’re experiencing unintentional weight loss, bloody stools, or changes in bowel habits — especially frequent diarrhea — in addition to excessive flatulence, Chi and Yadlapati said.

“It could be a sign of infection, inflammation, or an enzyme deficiency, all of which can be identified and corrected with the help of a healthcare provider,” Chi said.

While you’re waiting for your doctor’s appointment, keep a “gas diary,” Yadlapati said, in which you note when you have gas, the types of physical activities, and the foods around it, so you can start to identify patterns.

Chi said your doctor may also advise you to take over-the-counter remedies, such as simethicone, activated charcoal, enteric-coated peppermint oil, or probiotics.