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Flatulence
Also known as Bloating relieved by gas, Gassy, and Gas
Flatulence is defined in the medical literature as "flatus expelled through the anus" or the "quality or state of being flatulent", which is defined in turn as "marked by or affected with gases generated in the intestine or stomach; likely to cause digestive flatulence." The root of these words is from the Latin flatus – "a blowing, a breaking wind". Flatus is also the medical word for gas generated in the stomach or bowels. These standard definitions do not reflect the fact that a proportion of intestinal gas may be composed of swallowed environmental air, and hence flatus is not totally generated in the stomach or bowels. The scientific study of this area of medicine is termed flatology.
Source: WikipediaWhat causes it?
The most common causes of flatulence are chronic constipation, diabetes, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd). Other possible causes, such as pain after an operation, are more rare.
What symptoms are related?
Within all the people who go to their doctor with flatulence, 67% report having sharp abdominal pain, 63% report having diarrhea, and 51% report having nausea.
What might my doctor prescribe?
Common Tests and Procedures
Patients with flatulence often receive hematologic tests, complete blood count, glucose measurement, urinalysis, electrolytes panel, intravenous fluid replacement, kidney function tests and electrocardiogram .
Common Medications
The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with flatulence include simethicone (degas), aluminum hydroxide / magnesium hydroxide, diatrizoate, psyllium, alpha-d-galactosidase enzyme (beano), nizatidine (axid), nateglinide (starlix), lubiprostone (amitiza), glycerin (fleet), tetracycline, sodium phosphate / sodium phosphate, monobasic, vardenafil (levitra) and sucralfate (carafate) .
| Simethicone (Degas) | $7 (21 days) | |
| Diatrizoate | ||
| Psyllium | $11 (28 days) | |
| Alpha-D-Galactosidase Enzyme (Beano) | ||
| Nizatidine (Axid) | $39 (28 days) | |
| Nateglinide (Starlix) | $104 (28 days) | |
| Lubiprostone (Amitiza) | $190 (28 days) | |
| Glycerin (Fleet) | $4 (21 days) | |
| Tetracycline | $5 (28 days) | |
| Vardenafil (Levitra) | $94 (28 days) | |
| Sucralfate (Carafate) | $49 (28 days) |
Who is at risk?
Groups of people at highest risk for flatulence include age 60-74 years age < 1 years.
Age
| < 1 years | 5.7x | |
| 1-4 years | 0.5x | |
| 5-14 years | 0.2x | |
| 15-29 years | 0.4x | |
| 30-44 years | 0.7x | |
| 45-59 years | 0.9x | |
| 60-74 years | 1.6x | |
| 75+ years | 1.4x |
Sex
| Male | 0.9x | |
| Female | 1.0x |
Race/Ethnicity
| Black | 0.9x | |
| Hispanic | 1.3x | |
| White | 1.0x | |
| Other | 0.8x |
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