Flatulence with abdominal pain – causes, treatment and prevention

Bloating (flatulence) that occurs with abdominal pain is not uncommon. Almost everyone suffers from them from time to time. The symptoms are rarely caused by an illness, so that they usually go away on their own. However, if they show up regularly or if there are other symptoms, this can indicate a need for treatment. Painful bloating is not a disease in its own right. Rather, they are among the symptoms, with the abdominal pain being a side effect of the flatulence.

Causes

In most cases, bloating with abdominal pain is caused by nutritional problems. In some people, however, there are also serious food intolerances behind the symptoms. This can be an intolerance to milk sugar, which doctors call lactose intolerance, or an intolerance to fructose, which is called fructose intolerance. An intolerance to gluten (celiac disease) can also trigger the symptoms. The boundaries of the disease value merge smoothly into one another. Stomach pain, diarrhea and irregular bowel movements can be a sign of a disease.Flatulence is caused by excess air in the intestines . The intestine swells and the intestinal gases escape from it. However, some amount of air in the intestines is not considered unusual. The same applies to the unpleasant odor associated with flatulence. This is caused by the intestinal bacteria, which produce sulphurous gases. The formation of intestinal gases occurs primarily during digestion. This is especially true when the diet is high in fiber or the gut bacteria break down protein . In this process, for example, methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced. While most of the gases enter the bloodand is exhaled through the lungs, the rest leaves the organism through the intestines.

Common causes of flatulence are certain foods such as onions , cabbage or legumes . A lack of exercise or sweet or greasy foods can also cause flatulence, which is accompanied by abdominal pain. The enzymes fail to break down the nutrients completely, resulting in bacterial activity. Likewise, hasty eating can result in swallowing a lot of air, which collects in the intestines. Sometimes there are also carbonated drinks, coffee or alcoholresponsible for the bloating. In sensitive people, abdominal pain and bloating are also due to anxiety or stress that disrupts the digestive tract.

Diseases are rarely responsible for flatulence. In addition to the various food intolerances, they can also have irritable bowel syndrome, which, in addition to flatulence and abdominal pain, often also causes changes in the stool, cramps or discomfort . A disease of the pancreas, which is also associated with belching and diarrhea, or disorders of the intestinal flora are considered to be of concern. Sometimes painful flatulence is even triggered by life-threatening diseases such as liver cirrhosis, intestinal obstruction or colon cancer. In the case of colorectal carcinoma, there is also blood in the stool .

Diseases

• food intolerance

• lactose intolerance

• fructose intolerance

• celiac disease

• irritable bowel syndrome

• liver cirrhosis

• intestinal obstruction

When to the doctor?

If flatulence with abdominal pain occurs shortly after eating, it is usually due to an intolerance to the food. In these cases, a doctor’s visit is not necessary. The discomfort reduces as digestion progresses and disappears completely once the process is complete. If the symptoms occur regularly, a doctor should be consulted. Further investigations to clarify the intolerance must be initiated before a gradual deterioration sets in.

Flatulence with abdominal pain should be presented to a doctor if it lasts for several days. This is another disease that needs to be clarified. If the person concerned suffers from additional symptoms such as general pain, a feeling of fullness or diarrhea, a doctor should also be consulted. It is very likely that a heart attack is present, which is contagious and must be treated.

When bloating with abdominal pain occurs at a time of heightened emotional challenges, in most cases the symptoms resolve once these are managed. A doctor should always be consulted if the condition is perceived as a burden or the psychological problems are increasing in character. If the person concerned needs support in coping with current challenges or is looking for strategies to deal with stress better in the long term, a visit to the doctor is helpful.

Diagnosis and course

A visit to the doctor is rarely necessary for flatulence. However, if the affected person also suffers from severe abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements or vomiting , they should definitely consult a doctor. The same applies if the symptoms keep coming back. During the examination, the doctor first looks at the medical history of the patient. He is particularly interested in abdominal pain and other possible complaints.

Lifestyle and eating habits are also rated as important. After the anamnesis , the patient’s abdomen is palpated and a stethoscope is used to listen for sounds. If there is a suspicion during the examination that an organic disease is causing the flatulence and abdominal pain, further examination procedures follow. This can be a stool examination , a sonography (ultrasound examination) or various tests to determine a food intolerance. The stool examination makes it possible to diagnose triggering germs such as bacteria or parasites .

In order to determine structural changes in the gastrointestinal tract, imaging procedures such as computed tomography are carried out. In most cases, bloating and abdominal pain go away on their own. In some people, however, a chronic course is conceivable, which requires appropriate therapy.

Complications

Bloating with abdominal pain leads to reduced well-being and an increase in shame. The pain leads to discomfort, restricted mobility, increased irritability and reduced food intake. If the symptoms persist over a longer period of time, unwanted weight loss occurs. In severe cases, there is a risk of an eating disorder . Bloating is very uncomfortable for many people. You feel uncomfortable interacting with other people in public places or at work. This can lead to physical detachment and withdrawal. The flatulence with abdominal pain leads to a feeling of pressure in the body. The sufferer feels tense or may experience mood swings.

If there is already a lack of exercise, there is a risk that this will intensify due to the symptoms. Many people use medication for flatulence with abdominal pain. These are associated with side effects such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. The cardiovascular system is additionally stressed. Cardiac arrhythmias can occur. In the case of food intolerance, an allergy test should be carried out. This is followed by a change in the menu. This is often associated with restructuring within family processes. If the cause is psychosomatic, therapy should be initiated. In this case, the behavior and attitudes of those affected can take on a new direction. Stress is reduced and provides relief.

Treatment and therapy

Treatment for bloating and abdominal pain depends on what is causing the symptoms. Drugs that have antispasmodic , defoaming or digestive effects are usually suitable for treating the symptoms. The drugs are administered in the form of capsules, tablets or drops. Antispasmodics are used to treat colicky abdominal pain. They contain active ingredients such as trospium chloride, mebeverine or butylscopolamine, which relax the intestinal muscles. Some of the preparations are subject to a prescription.

Defoaming agents have the property of dissolving gas bubbles that form during digestion or get stuck in the chyme. The gases are absorbed by the intestinal mucosa by the active ingredients such as dimethicone or simethicone. Natural elimination is also possible. Since the defoamers have a purely physical effect, they cannot get into the blood. The medication is taken either in the evening before going to bed or with meals.Digestive enzymes are given when the patient is unable to fully digest foods that contain carbohydrates , protein, or fat . In such cases, insufficient digestive enzymes are produced in the stomach, liver or pancreas, which in turn can cause painful flatulence. Taking the enzymes improves digestion, so that there are no symptoms in the first place.

Outlook and prognosis

Bloating with abdominal pain is easily curable in most people. There is a good chance that the symptoms will be permanently relieved and cured. If too much food has been eaten, abdominal pain often occurs. If it is also very rich or greasy, flatulence occurs. The discomfort is reduced by the natural digestive process and disappears completely as soon as it is complete. In the case of a food intolerance, the symptoms no longer appear if the triggering substance is determined and is not consumed in the future.

In times of increased pressure or stress, the discomfort is minimized as soon as the situation is successfully managed. In the case of persistent psychosomatic complaints, the complaints disappear as soon as the cause has been determined and appropriate therapy has been initiated. The process can take a few months or even years.

Pregnant women often suffer from flatulence with abdominal pain. In most cases, expectant mothers change their diet. They pay attention to particularly healthy foods and at the same time avoid pollutants and toxins such as alcohol, caffeine or cigarettes. This leads to irritation in the digestive tract and the symptoms occur temporarily during the transition phase. In the case of an infection or a cold , the symptoms disappear as soon as the underlying disease has healed. This normally takes a few days or a few weeks.

Prevention

Those affected can also prevent abdominal pain and flatulence themselves. It is recommended to avoid foods that cause flatulence, such as legumes. The food should be as easy to digest as possible. Regular exercise and sporting activities are also considered helpful.