What Causes Flatulence?
Flatulence can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
Diagnose your symptoms now!
- see your health summarized and in detail
- learn what you should be doing right now
- identify any nutritional deficiencies
Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose flatulence, we could:
- Research the topic
- Find a doctor with the time
- Use a diagnostic computer system.
Step 1: List all Possible Causes
We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "flatulence" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):
- Ovarian Cancer
- Giardia
- Blastocystosis
- Low Digestive Enzymes
- Crohn's Disease
- Food Allergies
- Gallbladder Disease
- Gluten Sensitivity
Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist
We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
premenstrual abdominal bloating
meals worsen top-right abdomen pain
above average sneezing frequency
frequent meal-related bloating
eczema
chronic productive cough
having watery stools
joint pain/swelling/stiffness
coffee consumption
fatigue after slight exertion
severe hypogastric pain
very great unexplained weight loss
premenstrual abdominal bloating meals worsen top-right abdomen pain above average sneezing frequency frequent meal-related bloating eczema chronic productive cough having watery stools joint pain/swelling/stiffness coffee consumption fatigue after slight exertion severe hypogastric pain very great unexplained weight loss... and more than 130 others
Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause
A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of flatulence:
| Cause | Probability | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten Sensitivity | 90% | Confirm |
| Giardia | 27% | Unlikely |
| Ovarian Cancer | 18% | Unlikely |
| Crohn's Disease | 3% | Ruled out |
| Low Digestive Enzymes | 0% | Ruled out |
| Blastocystosis | 0% | Ruled out |
| Food Allergies | 0% | Ruled out |
| Gallbladder Disease | 0% | Ruled out |
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process
Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis
The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.
In the Gastrointestinal Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about flatulence:
|
Do you suffer from excess lower bowel gas (flatulence)? The average adult passes gas ("farts") 8 to 20 times a day, but this depends on various factors. Try to compare yourself to others with similar diet and eating habits.
Possible responses:
→ No / average / only after overeating / don't know→ Yes, but it is probably due to my diet → Somewhat more than most people → Very much more than most people |
Gallbladder Disease
Persistent and severe flatulence may be a symptom of gallbladder problems.
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
The altered digestion found in IBS will usually lead to higher gas production. If intestinal transit is too quick, food is only partially digested. Natural bacteria residing in the gut will cause fermentation of this food, producing gas. Fast-moving bowel contents may also lead to pockets of trapped gas, worsening the problem. Some studies suggest that the populations of gut bacteria in IBS patients differ from the normal, with more 'bad' than 'good' bacteria, which can cause excess flatulence.
Lactose Intolerance
"Lactose malabsorption and lactase deficiency are chronic organic pathologic conditions characterized by abdominal pain and distention, flatulence, and the passage of loose, watery stools. Once correct diagnosis is established, introduction of a lactose-free dietary regime relieves symptoms in most patients... who remain largely unaware of the relationship between food intake and symptoms." [Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 1999 Apr, 28:3]
Stress
Gas can be caused by stress and the nervous habit of frequent swallowing.
Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™
Symptom Entry
Diagnosis
Suggestions
LifeMeter®
Explanations
Review (optional)
Related Questions
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Last updated: Dec 27, 2023