Meteorism is the accumulation of gases in the digestive tract, which causes bloating, discomfort and bloating. It is usually related to swallowing air unconsciously while drinking or eating something quickly, which is called aerophagia.
Factors such as stress and anxiety cause people to eat faster, which facilitates the entry and accumulation of air in the digestive tract.
When air is present in the stomach, it can cause a feeling of satiety early, and can be removed through voluntary or involuntary burping. When present in the intestine, air can cause abdominal distension and acute pain located in a specific region. Its presence in this place is due to the air swallowed during swallowing and also to the production of gas at the time of digestion. See how to eliminate the gases.
Intestinal meteorism is not serious and can happen at any age and can be easily resolved by changing eating habits or, ultimately, using medications to relieve abdominal pain. In addition, it is important to pay attention to chewing, which should be slow, avoiding liquids during the meal. Avoiding chewing gum and candy is also essential.
Causes of meteorism
The main cause of meteorism is aerophagia, which is the large intake of air during feeding. Other causes are:
- Fast chewing, due to stress or anxiety; Increased consumption of soft drinks; Increased consumption of carbohydrates; Use of antibiotics, as they alter the intestinal flora and, consequently, the fermentation process by intestinal bacteria; Inflammation in the intestine.
Meteorism can be diagnosed by x-ray or computed tomography, but it is usually only palpated in the abdominal region to check for the presence of gases. See what to do to decrease air swallowing.
How the treatment is done
Meteorism treatment can be done using medications that relieve abdominal pain and discomfort caused by gases, such as dimethicone and activated carbon. There are natural ways to get rid of gases, like fennel tea and gentian tea. See which are the best home remedies for gases.
It is usually possible to get rid of the bloated feeling and gas by changing the diet. Thus, one should avoid leguminous foods, such as peas, lentils and beans, some vegetables, such as cabbage and broccoli, and whole grains, such as rice and whole flour. Find out which foods cause gas.
