Everyone farts and burps, it’s a fact. Still, most of us prefer not to spend too much time talking about exhaust gases. It may come naturally, but it’s not exactly a conversation piece to liven up an evening.
However, today I think we must make an exception. Fumes can be gross, but it’s important.
In general, throwing the occasional fart from time to time is even healthy. But sometimes they are a sign of colon problems that something more dangerous is going on in your body.
The truth is that gases are a powerful communication tool. Sometimes, your farts and burps are the only warning sign you can get that something is seriously wrong. Some symptoms may be simple indigestion, while others try to tell you that you have a blockage in your digestive tract or other serious colon problems.
That is why we all have to learn what gases we should pay attention to in order to go to the doctor when they appear.
7 Types of Gas You Should Share With Your Doctor Right Away
What are gases?
gases are a all-natural byproduct of our digestive system. Basically, it is the excess air that accumulates inside the body when we eat.
Many foods, such as high-fiber foods, release gas when they break down, although we can also end up with gas after drinking soda or swallowing air when we eat.
Gas type 1: Extremely stinky
It may surprise you to learn that most of the gases we expel are odorless. Only 1% of the gases we expel are malodorous.
If you notice that all your flatulence is unusually stinky, it could indicate a bacterial overgrowth in your gut.
It could also be related to a sensitivity to certain foods that irritate your digestive system greatly. Some food sensitivities, such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease, are serious and require prompt medical attention.
Gas type 2: Incredibly painful
Gas sometimes builds up in the intestines, which can cause sharp pains that change and move through the belly.
This usually just means that you need to go to the bathroom soon and there is no room for gas to reach its usual outlet.
However, if you experience continuous gas painseven after having a bowel movement, could mean that something more serious is obstructing your intestines.
A gas pain that does not go away could indicate a blockage such as a tumor or other irritation such as an ulcer or inflamed appendix.
Type 3 Gas: Excessive Bloating
Swelling is an uncomfortable symptom that is often accompanied by pain. This bulge is caused by the pressure exerted by an excessive accumulation of gas in the belly, which can generate some noise from time to time.
This is another symptom that is totally normal if it occurs once in a while, but severe swelling may indicate that you have a condition such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which causes digestive sensitivity and inflammation.
Type 4 Gas: Gaseous stools
This happens when any bowel movement is interrupted by gas. You may notice that droppings break into pieces or are loose (almost like diarrhea) because it contains pockets of gas trapped inside.
The occasional gassy bowel movement is nothing to worry about, but if it happens every time you go to the bathroom, you may need to check the pancreas. If the pancreas begins to fail, food will not be properly digested and compacted.
Gas type 5: Constant gases
Do you feel like you’re always struggling to contain a prick? You may have excess gas.
In other words, your body produces much more gas than it should. This could indicate that your diet is too high in sugars and fiber.
Excess gas can also indicate the effects of Irritable bowel syndrome or, in more serious cases, colon cancer.
Type 6 Gas: Sulfur Burps
In general, we tend to worry more about gases escaping from the end of the digestive tract, but belching can also reveal serious health problems.
Most burps are just trapped gas from our food, but you have to watch out for those.”sulfur burps«.
These smelly and rotten burps can show up as one more symptom of IBS, although they can also may be associated with the Giardia parasite.
Type 7 Gas: Painful Farts
We’ve heard about GI pain, but what about pain when gas is expelled?
If you experience a stinging and burning sensationit could indicate that you have a painful problem such as anal fissures or hemorrhoids.
These conditions are not very serious at first, but you must treat them right away to prevent the conditions from becoming more dangerous and painful.
How to deal with gases?
So if you have uncomfortable experiences with gas, what should you do?
You probably want talk to a gastroenterologist about the reasons that could be causing your upset stomach.
You can too Investigate if you are sensitive to certain foodsIn which case, a dietician should be able to help you change your lifestyle to meet the needs of your belly.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you tell your doctor about your problem instead of worrying that it could be an embarrassing topic.
