AyuKarma Ayurveda

Ayurvedic Treatment for Flatulence

What is Flatulence?

Flatulence or buildup of gas is a very common digestive system issue that can lead to abdominal discomfort. Usually, one passes gas 20 times a day, but an unordinary recurrence can be painful, discomfort and embarrassing.

Usually, one gets rid of gas through the mouth (burping) or anus (flatulence).

The body makes gas in two ways: when you swallow air when you consume food or drink. The swallowed air is usually removed by the burping process. The leftover gas, which is not released by burps, goes into the intestine and is removed as flatulence.

The other time is when the bacteria act on the food to help with digestion.

Undigested food travels from the small intestine to the large intestine. Once it reaches there, the bacteria may act on, producing carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen, which then leave your body.

Either of the processes produces gas or flatulence.

Although most gas is related to food, not everyone gets gas from the same foods.

Why do some foods cause more flatulence?

Foods that cause flatulence are high in polysaccharides, mainly oligosaccharides, such as inulin. Inulin is related to dietary fibres known as fructans.

Examples of foods that can worsen flatulence include:

  • vegetables such as artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, garlic, onions, beans
  • cereals, such as wheat or oats
  • dairy products
  • yeast in baked products, such as bread
  • cashews
  • pulses, including beans and lentils

But there are some reasons why some foods cause more gas than others, such as:

  • Beans: Complex forms of carbs are hard to digest by the body. They are digested by microorganisms called gut flora in the gut, which generates methane. When the complex carbs reach the intestine, bacteria act on them and produce gas.
    When the complex carbohydrates reach the lower intestine, bacteria feed on them and produce gas.
  • Lactose intolerance: Many people who consume food that contains lactose, such as milk, and lack the enzymes to tear it down; the bacteria feed on the lactose. This produces too much gas.
  • Artificial sweeteners: Including sorbitol and mannitol in chewing gums, sugar-free sweet foods can cause diarrhea or gas or both.
  • Fibre: Consuming fibre supplements that contain psyllium can cause gas if taken too rapidly.
  • Carbonated drinks: Fizzy drinks, including beer, may cause gas to stuck up in the intestinal tract.
  • Celiac disease: Intolerance to gluten can make people’s body to produce more gas. Examples include barley, wheat, and rye.

Causes

  • Medical conditions: For example, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease can cause flatulence. Some forms of cancer may also block the intestines, thereby worsening the situation even more. Less likely, gas is also caused due to pregnancy, endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome, a hernia, pancreatitis, etc.
  • Constipation: Feces can make the body’s gas to be accumulated and cause discomfort.
  • Gastroenteritis and other intestinal infections: A viral or bacterial infection of the digestive system can also cause a buildup of gas and so do food poisoning.
  • Gallbladder problems: Gallstones and cholecystitis can cause additional gas.
  • Antibiotics: They can harm the normal bacteria flora or intestinal flora in the gut, leading to flatulence.
  • Laxatives: Regular use of laxatives can threaten your digestive system and results in the production of gas or flatulence.

If there are signs of a blockage, or if there is blood in the feces, you need immediate medical intervention.

Signs

If you have flatulence, and if you experience the following girls, see your doctor right away.

  • swelling and pain in the abdominal area
  • blood in stool
  • gas that’s persistent and severe
  • heartburn
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • unintentional weight loss

Home Remedies

Depending on the cause of the flatulence, you may treat it at home using some measures, such as:

  • Say no to certain foods: It is always good to have carbs in your diet that are easy to digest, such as bananas, rice, potatoes, etc. After you have learned about the foods that are not good for your health, you can avoid them or substitute them for others.
  • Chew properly: Avoid doing anything that may let you swallow more air than usual. This includes chewing your food properly and avoiding chewing gum or smoking.
  • Exercise: Exercise keeps the muscles moving and helps to pass the bowel. This also prevents flatulence.
  • Eating smaller meals: Instead of taking large meals, prefer eating four to six smaller meals each day.
  • Avoid carbonated drinks: Fizzy drinks can make the body get more prone to gas or flatulence.
  • Quit smoking: Smoking causes people to swallow more air; it can irritate the digestive system.

Ayurvedic treatment for flatulence

In Ayurveda, flatulence is also known as Aadhaman. The characteristics of vitiated Vata and Pitta Doshas often resemble the symptoms of gas or flatulence causing foul smelly defecation, pain in the lower abdomen, breathing issues, etc.

Pitta controls the digestive power that symbolizes heat or fire. If you have aggravated Vata and Pitta doshas, this may result in poor digestion, which leads to gas.

Agni feeds on the food and digests it into nutrient plasma. The nutrient plasma thus nourishes all the other dhatus or body tissues. But when agni is weak, it results in impaired digestion, resulting in the production of toxins.

As this happens, ama may accumulate itself to the dhatus and tissues, thereby vitiating Vata even more.

Aggravated Vata may trap air in the digestive tract, which triggers the signs linked to flatulence.

Ayurvedic medicines for flatulence are quite effective in managing issues linked to the digestive system, including gas. The cleansing herbs in the medicines are meant to pacify or calm the doshas that tend to be aggravated in this case.

At AyuKarma, we are dedicated to helping our patients with our ayurvedic methodologies only. Medicines which are prepared by us are helpful in overall health improvement and come with little or no downsides.

Approved by

Approved by

Certificate no- AH-2022-0145
FEB 23,2022 - FEB 22,2025