JTFMax:

Bloating is usually quite annoying. But most of the time you don't have to worry about them. So, where do the gases in the stomach come from? And how can unwanted intestinal activity be prevented?

Nothing could be more uncomfortable: you're in company and suddenly want to breathe out of your stomach. Farting is not necessarily considered socially acceptable. Those that let the air out have a clear advantage.

Where do the gases in the abdomen come from?

A bacterial party in the intestine is responsible for flatulence - you could say. Typically, only waste products arrive in the large intestine. However, some food components are not adequately digested in the stomach and small intestine. As a result, they end up wrongly on the plate with the colon bacteria. "Then they celebrate a big party." This creates gases. If you're lucky, they escape through the air we breathe and in the form of flatulence. Otherwise, they remain flatulence in the stomach. And that's uncomfortable.

If you are in pain, it is worth taking a look at the menu

Whether there is any need for action depends on how much the air in your stomach bothers you. It is worth looking at your menu if the flatulence is painful or if air constantly escapes uncontrollably and is uncomfortable. The best thing to do is to write a food and symptom diary. 

Some foods, such as cabbage or legumes, have a flatulent effect. But too much fructose or carbonated drinks can also increase gas formation, says the expert.

Fewer smoothies, more walking

If you know ​​what causes flatulence or gassiness, leave it out for a while and see what happens. Usually, you don't have to go without it permanently, explains Jagemann - just maybe not drinking two fruit smoothies a day. It also makes sense to exercise after meals. The good old digestive walk can make the stomach work better.

Chronic flatulence is a case for the doctor.

If the change in diet doesn't help, it's worth visiting the doctor. Because flatulence can impair the quality of life and, for example, also trigger heartburn. If this becomes chronic, the acid can attack the esophagus. The expert advises that countermeasures should be taken in good time together with the doctor. In addition, organic causes can be behind the increased gas formation, which must be treated.