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Causes of flatulence

Medical expert of the article

Surgeon, oncosurgeon
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

The causes of flatulence are varied. This disorder appears at any age, even in newborns.

One of the causes of flatulence is a lack of enzymes due to imperfect functioning of the enzyme system or diseases of the digestive organs.

Lack of enzymes leads to poor digestion of food, which is why pieces of food reach the lower parts of the intestine, where there are no conditions for digestion. As a result, undigested food residues begin to rot and ferment, which leads to the formation of a large amount of gases.

Flatulence can also be caused by a disruption in the bacterial composition of the intestines, one of the reasons for which is the consumption of foods rich in fiber (peas, beans) in large quantities.

In a natural process, gases in the intestines are processed by bacteria, but with too much food or a lack of the necessary microorganisms, bloating occurs.

Also, bloating can be caused by a disruption of the motor function of the digestive organs, especially after surgery. When feces stagnate in the intestines, rotting begins, which provokes excessive gas formation.

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Causes of flatulence in adults

The causes of flatulence in adults are often associated with gastrointestinal diseases, but the accumulation of gases in the intestines can also be associated with the food a person eats (legumes, black bread, baked goods, carbonated drinks, etc.).

Some people have a deficiency of digestive enzymes, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients and causes flatulence.

Flatulence can also be caused by medications (which neutralize stomach acid), infections, varicose veins, and tumors that put pressure on the intestines.

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Causes of flatulence in women

The causes of flatulence in women are in most cases the same as in men.

Increased gas formation in women may be observed during pregnancy or menopause, which is caused by hormonal imbalances in the body.

Bloating in women can be associated with the consumption of coarse fiber (found in nuts, seeds, some raw fruits). The body is unable to digest such products and as a result, increased gas formation occurs.

Some people have low levels of lactose in their bodies, which is needed to digest milk, and in this case, bloating may occur when consuming dairy products.

Often the cause of bloating is excessive or too fast consumption of food, which leads to swallowing air and its entry into the gastrointestinal tract.

Allergies to certain foods can also cause bloating, especially if you have a weakened immune system.

The causes of flatulence in women can be pathologies or neoplasms of internal organs (gastrointestinal tract tumors, fibroma, cysts, appendicitis, gallbladder dysfunction, urinary tract obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.).

Causes of flatulence in children

The causes of flatulence in children are associated with the underdevelopment of the digestive system or gastrointestinal diseases. Accumulation of gases in the intestines can be a consequence of a lack of digestive enzymes or functional disorders of the digestive organs.

Another reason for childhood flatulence may be a disruption of the intestinal bacterial flora as a result of taking antibiotics or an undeveloped system for suppressing the reproduction of microorganisms.

Excessive gas production may be the result of abnormal development of the intestines, causing food debris to accumulate in the intestines.

In most cases, flatulence in children is caused by the consumption of foods that cause increased gas formation.

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Causes of flatulence in infants

The causes of flatulence in newborns are varied. Flatulence is mainly associated with the imperfection of the digestive system. In infants, the intestinal microflora begins to form after birth, so the process of digesting food is quite difficult, in addition, there is a lack of some enzymes and bacteria that help digest milk.

Sometimes increased gas formation can be caused by a lack of lactose in the child's body, which makes it difficult to digest milk.

Bloating can be caused by air that the baby swallows while feeding (especially in the wrong position) or while crying.

Also, flatulence in a child may be a consequence of the mother’s violation of her diet or early feeding with foods that irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa (apple and pear puree).

Bloating can also be caused by E. coli or other pathogenic microorganisms.

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Causes of Flatulence and Bloating

The causes of flatulence and bloating are often related to a person's diet and lifestyle. Frequent and excessive consumption of carbonated drinks, eating too quickly or in large quantities, consuming foods that promote gas formation, etc. lead to food being retained in the intestines, beginning to ferment, which causes excess gas accumulation.

Bloating may be associated with taking soda or heartburn medications (which neutralize hydrochloric acid in the stomach).

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Causes of severe flatulence

The causes of flatulence, especially in its severe form, are often related to a person's diet. Legumes, lamb, as well as carbonated drinks or kvass, cause fermentation in the intestines and increased gas formation.

Often, severe flatulence appears due to nervous tension or stress, which causes spasms of smooth muscles and reduces intestinal peristalsis.

Severe bloating can result from a cellulose diet, problems with digestion or bowel function, or bacterial overgrowth.

Causes of flatulence after eating

The causes of flatulence after eating arise from digestive disorders, lack of enzymes or imbalance of microflora in the intestines.

Many people experience flatulence after drinking milk or dairy products, this phenomenon is often associated with a lack of lactose, which helps digest milk. It is worth noting that with a lack of lactose, hard cheeses especially increase gas formation.

Bloating and increased gas formation can be caused by foods rich in fiber (pastries, cereals, mushrooms, vegetables, etc.), foods that promote fermentation processes in the gastrointestinal tract (kvass, beer, legumes, etc.), carbonated drinks, excessive consumption of sweets, and certain fruits (pears, grapes, apples).

In addition, flatulence can be a consequence of hasty food intake (swallowing too large pieces, not chewing enough, etc.).

The amount of water you drink is also important; when there is a lack of fluid in the intestines, bacteria produce more gases.

Causes of constant flatulence

The causes of flatulence, especially constant flatulence, can be associated with various pathological conditions:

  • cirrhosis
  • constant stress, neuroses
  • disruption of the process of swallowing air during eating
  • acute infections
  • intestinal microflora disorder
  • inflammation of the peritoneum, weak intestinal peristalsis
  • inflammation of the mucous walls of the stomach or intestines
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • Parasites in the rectum
  • inflammation of the small intestine
  • anal fissures, hemorrhoids

Causes of flatulence and belching

The causes of flatulence and belching are associated with air entering the gastrointestinal tract or with the consumption of products that promote gas formation.

Belching is the release of air from the stomach, which gets there when eating quickly, chewing gum, with carbonated drinks, etc.

But belching can also be associated with medical conditions, such as acid reflux, gastritis, or gastroparesis.

Belching occurs when gases accumulate in the intestines and stomach, and pain (weak or sharp) often occurs; usually after the air is released, the person feels better.

This condition is provoked by eating too much fatty food, smoking, nervous tension, etc.

Causes of flatulence in the morning

The causes of flatulence in the morning are associated in most cases with poor nutrition. Dinner should be no later than 3-4 hours before bedtime, otherwise the body does not have time to digest the food and it begins to ferment, which causes increased gas formation in the morning.

Flatulence in the morning may occur for physiological reasons, since in a horizontal position the release of gases is difficult, then when getting out of bed this process may intensify. In this case, the release of gases occurs painlessly and practically does not cause discomfort.

Causes of flatulence in the evening

The causes of flatulence in the evening may be associated with the consumption of foods that promote gas formation or the consumption of foods that are poorly combined with each other.

Flatulence can also be caused by excessive consumption of carbonated drinks, quick snacks during the day, changes in the bacterial flora of the intestine, and gastrointestinal diseases.

The causes of flatulence are varied, usually the disorder occurs due to poor nutrition, quick snacks, as well as diseases of the digestive organs (gastritis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, etc.), disturbances in the bacterial flora of the intestine (usually after taking antibiotics), weak intestinal peristalsis.


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