Flatulence is the presence of a mixture of gases in the digestive tract of mammals. Such a mixture of gases is known as flatus, and is expelled from the rectum in a process also known as flatulence, or as 'breaking wind', 'trumping' or 'farting'. A symptom is a manifestation of a disease, indicating the nature of the disease, which is noticed by the patient. ... In medicine, a sign is a feature of disease as detected by the doctor during physical examination of a patient. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) is a coding of diseases and signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). ... // R00-R99 - Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R09) Symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems (R00) Abnormalities of heart beat (R000) Tachycardia, unspecified (R001) Bradycardia, unspecified (R002) Palpitations (R008) Other and unspecified abnormalities of heart beat (R01) Cardiac murmurs and other... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... Gut redirects here. ... Orders Subclass Monotremata Monotremata Subclass Marsupialia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Subclass Placentalia Xenarthra Dermoptera Desmostylia Scandentia Primates Rodentia Lagomorpha Insectivora Chiroptera Pholidota Carnivora Perissodactyla Artiodactyla Cetacea Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals primarily characterized by the presence of mammary... The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ... This article is about the word fart itself. ...

Explanation

This article may be too technical for a general audience. Please help improve this article by providing more context and better explanations of technical details to make it more accessible, without removing technical details.

Flatus is expelled under pressure through the anus, whereby, as a result of the voluntary or involuntary relaxation of the anal sphincter, the rapid evacuation of gases from the lower intestine occurs. Essentially this happens when the flatus pressure inside the rectum exceeds the anal sphincter's ability to restrain it. Depending upon the relative state of the sphincter (relaxed/tense) and the positions of the buttocks, this often results in a crackling or trumpeting sound, but gas can also be passed quietly. The olfactory components of flatulence include skatole, indole, and sulfurous compounds.^[1] The non-odorous gases are mainly nitrogen (ingested), carbon dioxide (produced by aerobic microbes or ingested), and hydrogen (produced by some microbes), as well as lesser amounts of oxygen (ingested) and methane (produced by anaerobic microbes).^[2] Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... This article is about the bodily orifice. ... Male Anatomy The anus, in anatomy, is the external opening of the rectum. ... -1... In anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. ... Look up Sphincter in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about audible acoustic waves. ... Skatole or 3-methylindole is a mildly toxic white crystalline organic compound with chemical formula C9H9N and CAS number 83-34-1. ... Indole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... General Name, symbol, number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... Carbon dioxide (chemical formula: ) is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria can be identified by growning them in liquid culture: 1: Obligate aerobic bacteria gather at the top of the test tube in order to absorb maximal amount of oxygen. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... This article is about the chemical element and its most stable form, or dioxygen. ... Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula . ... Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria can be identified by growning them in liquid culture: 1: Obligate aerobic bacteria gather at the top of the test tube in order to absorb maximal amount of oxygen. ...

Composition of flatus gases

Nitrogen is the primary gas released. Carbon dioxide is often present, especially in persons who drink carbonated beverages in quantity. Methane and hydrogen, lesser components, are flammable, and so flatus can be ignited. Not all humans produce flatus that contains methane. For example, in one study of the feces of nine adults, only five of the samples contained archaea capable of producing methane.^[3] Similar results are found in samples of gas obtained from within the rectum. General Name, symbol, number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... For other uses, see Gas (disambiguation). ... Carbon dioxide (chemical formula: ) is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula . ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... Flammable or Flammability refers to the ease at which a substance will ignite, causing fire or combustion. ... Fart lighting or fart-burning, also referred to as a Blue Blazer, Blue Dart,Blue Flame, and Blue Angel, is the practice of setting fire to the gases produced by flatulence often producing a blue hue. ... Horse feces Feces, faeces, or fæces (see spelling differences) is a waste product from an animals digestive tract expelled through the anus (or cloaca) during defecation. ... Phyla Crenarchaeota Euryarchaeota Korarchaeota Nanoarchaeota ARMAN The Archaea (pronounced ) are a group of prokaryotic and single-celled microorganisms. ... The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ...

The gas released during a flatus event frequently has a foul odor which mainly results from low molecular weight fatty acids such as butyric acid (rancid butter smell) and reduced sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) and carbonyl sulfide that are the result of protein breakdown. The incidence of odoriferous compounds in flatus increases from herbivores, such as cattle, through omnivores to carnivorous species, such as cats or dogs. Flatulence odor can also be caused by the presence of large numbers of microflora bacteria and/or the presence of feces in the rectum. The molecular mass of a substance (less accurately called molecular weight and abbreviated as MW) is the mass of one molecule of that substance, relative to the unified atomic mass unit u (equal to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12). ... In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid (or organic acid), often with a long aliphatic tail (long chains), either saturated or unsaturated. ... Butyric acid, (from Greek βουτυρος = butter) IUPAC name n-Butanoic acid, or normal butyric acid, is a carboxylic acid with structural formula CH3CH2CH2-COOH. It is notably found in rancid butter, parmesan cheese, and vomit, and has an unpleasant odor and acrid taste, with a sweetish aftertaste (similar to ether). ... Rancidification is the decomposition of fats and other lipids by oxidation. ... For other uses, see Butter (disambiguation). ... ed|other uses|reduction}} Illustration of a redox reaction Redox (shorthand for reduction/oxidation reaction) describes all chemical reactions in which atoms have their oxidation number (oxidation state) changed. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... Hydrogen sulfide (or hydrogen sulphide) is the chemical compound with the formula H2S. This colorless, toxic and flammable gas is responsible for the foul odour of rotten eggs and flatulence. ... Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Carbonyl sulfide is a colourless gas at room temperature with an unpleasant odor. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin showing coloured alpha helices. ... In zoology, an herbivore is an animal that is adapted to eat primarily plants (rather than meat). ... For general information about the genus, including other species of cattle, see Bos. ... Omnivores are organisms that consume both plants and animals. ... This article deals with meat-eating animals. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Felis lybica invalid junior synonym The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal. ... This article is about the domestic dog. ... Phyla Actinobacteria Aquificae Chlamydiae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Lentisphaerae Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Verrucomicrobia Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular microorganisms. ... The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ...

The major components of the flatus (which are odorless) by percentage are:^[4]

• Nitrogen - 20% - 90%
• Hydrogen - 0% - 50%
• Carbon Dioxide - 10% - 30%
• Oxygen - 0% - 10%
• Methane - 0% - 10%

General Name, symbol, number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... This article is about the chemistry of hydrogen. ... Carbon dioxide (chemical formula: ) is a chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. ... This article is about the chemical element and its most stable form, or dioxygen. ... Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula . ...

Mechanism of action

The noises commonly associated with flatulence are caused by the vibration of the anal sphincter, and occasionally by the closed buttocks. The sound varies depending on the tightness of the sphincter muscle and velocity of the gas being propelled, as well as other factors such as water and body fat. The auditory pitch (sound) of the flatulence outburst can also be affected by the anal embouchure. Among humans, flatulence occasionally happens accidentally, such as incidentally to coughing or sneezing or during orgasm; on other occasions, flatulence can be voluntarily elicited by tensing the rectum or "bearing down" and subsequently releasing the anal sphincter, resulting in the expulsion of a flatus. This article is about noise as in sound. ... Oscillation is the variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states. ... This article is about the bodily orifice. ... Look up Sphincter in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Bottom commonly refers to the human buttocks but also has other uses. ... For other uses of Muscle, see Muscle (disambiguation). ... This article is about velocity in physics. ... For other uses, see Gas (disambiguation). ... The embouchure is the use of facial muscles and the shaping of the lips to the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. ... A sneeze is the semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the nose. ... An orgasm (sexual climax) is the conclusion of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, and may be experienced by both males and females. ... The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ...

Flatus is brought to the rectum by the same process which causes feces to descend from the large intestine, and may cause a similar feeling of urgency and discomfort. Nerve endings in the rectum usually enable individuals to distinguish between flatus and feces, ^[5] although loose stool can confuse the individual, occasionally resulting in accidental defecation. The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ... Horse feces Feces, faeces, or fæces (see spelling differences) is a waste product from an animals digestive tract expelled through the anus (or cloaca) during defecation. ...

Causes

Intestinal gas is composed of varying quantities of exogenous sources (air that is ingested through the nose and mouth) and endogenous sources (gas produced within the digestive tract). The exogenous gases are swallowed (aerophagia) when eating or drinking or increased swallowing during times of excessive salivation (as might occur when nauseated or as the result of gastroesophageal reflux disease). The endogenous gases are produced either as a by-product of digesting certain types of food, or of incomplete digestion. Anything that causes food to be incompletely digested by the stomach and/or small intestine may cause flatulence when the material arrives in the large intestine due to fermentation by yeast or procaryotes normally or abnormally present in the gastrointestinal tract. Aerophagia (var. ... Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD, or GORD when -oesophageal, the BE form, is substituted) is injury to the esophagus that develops from chronic exposure of the esophagus to acid coming up from the stomach (reflux). ... Look up Endogenous in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For the industrial process, see anaerobic digestion. ... In anatomy, the stomach is a bean-shaped hollow muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication. ... In biology the small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract (gut) between the stomach and the large intestine and comprises the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. ... For other uses, see Fermentation. ... Typical divisions Ascomycota (sac fungi) Saccharomycotina (true yeasts) Taphrinomycotina Schizosaccharomycetes (fission yeasts) Basidiomycota (club fungi) Urediniomycetes Sporidiales Yeasts are a growth form of eukaryotic micro organisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with about 1,500 species described;[1] they dominate fungal diversity in the oceans. ... Gut redirects here. ...

Flatulence-producing foods are typically high in certain polysaccharides (especially oligosaccharides such as inulin) and include beans, lentils, dairy products, onions, garlic, scallions, leeks, radishes, sweet potatoes, cashews, Jerusalem artichokes, oats, wheat, yeast in breads, and other vegetables. Cauliflower, Broccoli, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables that belong to the Brassica family are commonly reputed to not only increase flatulence, but to increase the pungency of the flatus. In beans, endogenous gases seem to arise from complex oligosaccharide (carbohydrates) that are particularly resistant to digestion by mammals, but which are readily digestible by microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tract. These oligosaccharides pass through the upper intestine largely unchanged, and when these reach the lower intestine, bacteria feed on them, producing copious amounts of flatus.^[6] In the case of those with lactose intolerance, intestinal bacteria feeding on lactose can give rise to excessive gas production when milk or lactose-containing substances have been consumed. Polysaccharides (sometimes called glycans) are relatively complex carbohydrates. ... The term “oligosaccharide” refers to a short chain of sugar molecules (“oligo” means “few” and “saccharide” means “sugar. ... Note: This article title may be easily confused with insulin. ... Green beans Bean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae) used for food or feed. ... This article is about the species Lens culinaris. ... Dairy products are generally defined as foodstuffs produced from milk. ... For other uses, see Onion (disambiguation). ... Binomial name L. Allium sativum L., commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion family Alliaceae. ... Green onions redirects here. ... For other uses, see Leek (disambiguation). ... This article is about the vegetable. ... Binomial name (L.) Lam. ... Binomial name L. The cashew (Anacardium occidentale; syn. ... Binomial name Helianthus tuberosus L. The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), also called the sunroot or sunchoke or topinambur, is a flowering plant native to North America grown throughout the temperate world for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable. ... Binomial name Avena sativa Carolus Linnaeus (1753) The Oat (Avena sativa) is a species of cereal grain, and the seeds of this plant. ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 Wheat Wheat For the indie rock group, see Wheat (band). ... Typical divisions Ascomycota (sac fungi) Saccharomycotina (true yeasts) Taphrinomycotina Schizosaccharomycetes (fission yeasts) Basidiomycota (club fungi) Urediniomycetes Sporidiales Yeasts are a growth form of eukaryotic micro organisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with about 1,500 species described;[1] they dominate fungal diversity in the oceans. ... For other uses, see Bread (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Vegetable (disambiguation). ... Cauliflower within Brassica oleracea, in the family Brassicaceae. ... Broccoli is a plant of the Cabbage family, Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). ... Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Cabbage plants Edible plants in the family Brassicaceae (also called Cruciferae) are termed Cruciferous vegetables. ... Species See text. ... An oligosaccharide is a saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to six) of component sugars, also known as simple sugars. ... Lactose is a disaccharide found in milk. ... A microorganism or microbe is an organism that is so small that it is microscopic (invisible to the naked eye). ... For the Physics term GUT, please refer to Grand unification theory The gastrointestinal or digestive tract, also referred to as the GI tract or the alimentary canal or the gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals which takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and... An oligosaccharide is a saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to six) of component sugars, also known as simple sugars. ... In anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. ... In anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. ... Phyla Actinobacteria Aquificae Chlamydiae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Lentisphaerae Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Verrucomicrobia Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular microorganisms. ... Phyla Actinobacteria Aquificae Chlamydiae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Lentisphaerae Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Verrucomicrobia Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular microorganisms. ... | IUPACName = | OtherNames = | Section1 = ! style=background: #F8EABA; text-align: center; colspan=2 | Identifiers |- | bgcolor = | CAS number | bgcolor = | [63-42-3] |- | PubChem | |- | MeSH | |- | Section2 = ! style=background: #F8EABA; text-align: center; colspan=2 | Properties |- | Molecular formula | C12H22O11 |- | Molar mass | 342. ... A glass of cows milk. ...

Interest in the causes of flatulence was spurred by high-altitude flight and the space program; the low atmospheric pressure, confined conditions, and stresses peculiar to those endeavours were cause for concern.^[6] In the field of mountaineering, High Altitude Flatus Expulsion was first noticed over two hundred years ago. For other uses, see Flight (disambiguation). ... Human spaceflight is space exploration with a human crew, and possibly passengers (in contrast to unmanned space missions, which are remotely-controlled or robotic space probes). ... Atmospheric pressure is the pressure at any given point in the Earths atmosphere. ...

Remedies

Dietary

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Certain spices have been reported to counteract the production of intestinal gas, most notably cumin^{[citation needed]}, coriander^{[citation needed]}, caraway and the closely related ajwain, turmeric, asafoetida (hing), epazote, and kombu kelp (a Japanese seaweed).^{[citation needed]} Most starches, including potatoes, corn, noodles, and wheat, produce gas as they are broken down in the large intestine. Rice is the only starch that does not cause gas.^[7] The amount of water-soluble oligosaccharide in beans that may contribute to production of intestinal gas is reputed to be reduced by a long period of soaking followed by boiling,^{[citation needed]} but at a cost of also leaching out other water-soluble nutrients.^{[citation needed]} Also, intestinal gas can be reduced by fermenting the beans, and making them less gas-inducing, and/or by cooking them in the liquor from a previous batch^{[citation needed]}. Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum have recently been hypothesized as being responsible for this effect.^[8] Some legumes also stand up to prolonged cooking, which can help break down the oligosaccharides into simple sugars. Fermentation also breaks down oligosaccharides, which is why fermented bean products such as miso and tofu are less likely to produce as much intestinal gas^{[citation needed]}). For other uses, see Spice (disambiguation). ... Geerah redirects here. ... For other uses, see Coriander (disambiguation). ... Categories: | | | | ... Ajwain seeds Ajwain (also known as carom seeds or bishops weed), is an uncommon spice except in certain areas of Asia. ... Binomial name Linnaeus Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae which is native to tropical South Asia. ... Binomial name L. Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida, family Apiaceae), alternative spelling asafetida (also known as devils dung, stinking gum, asant, food of the gods, hing, and giant fennel) is a species of Ferula native to Iran. ... Binomial name L. Epazote, Wormseed, Jesuits Tea, Mexican Tea, or Herba Sancti Mariæ (Chenopodium ambrosioides) is an herb native to Central America, South America, and southern Mexico. ... Kombu or konbu (Japanese: 昆布), also called dashima (Korean), or haidai (Chinese: 海带; pinyin: ), are edible kelp widely eaten in Northeast Asia. ... Families Alariaceae Chordaceae Laminariaceae Lessoniaceae Phyllariaceae Pseudochordaceae Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Ascophyllum nodosum exposed to the sun in Nova Scotia, Canada Dead Mans Fingers (Codium fragile) off Massachusetts coast For the band, see; Seaweed (band) For the rock musician, see; Seaweed (musician) Seaweeds are any of a large number of marine benthic algae. ... An oligosaccharide is a saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to six) of component sugars, also known as simple sugars. ... Binomial name Lactobacillus casei (Orla-Jensen 1916) Hansen & Lessel 1971 Lactobacillus casei is a transient, anaerobic microorganism of genus Lactobacillus found in the human intestine and mouth. ... Binomial name Lactobacillus plantarum (Orla-Jensen 1919) Bergey 1923 Lactobacillus plantarum is a widespread member of the genus Lactobacillus, commonly found in sauerkraut, pickles, brined olives, korean kimchi, nigerian ogi, sourdugh and other fermented plant material and also in some cheeses and fermented sausages. ... This article is about the fruit of the plants also called legumes. For the plants themselves, see Fabaceae . ... For other uses, see Fermentation. ... A pot of commercial barley miso Miso for sale in a Tokyo food hall. ... For other uses, see Tofu (disambiguation). ...

Probiotics (yogurt, kefir, etc.) are reputed to reduce flatulence when used to restore balance to the normal intestinal flora.^[9] Yogurt contains Lactobacillus acidophilus which may be useful in reducing flatulence^{[citation needed]}). L. acidophilus may make the intestines more acidic, thus maintaining the natural balance of fermentation processes.^{[citation needed]} L. acidophilus is available in supplements (non-dairy is reputedly best^{[citation needed]}). Prebiotics, which generally are non-digestible oligosaccharides, such as fructooligosaccharide, generally increase flatulence in a similar way as described for lactose intolerance.^{[citation needed]} Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeasts. ... Yoghurt Yoghurt or yogurt, less commonly yoghourt or yogourt, is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. ... Grains of kefir For the Islamic term, see Kaffir. ... Binomial name Lactobacillus acidophilus (Moro 1900) Hansen & Mocquot 1970 Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of several bacteria in the genus Lactobacillus. ... Binomial name Lactobacillus acidophilus (Moro 1900) Hansen & Mocquot 1970 Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of several bacteria in the genus Lactobacillus. ... Binomial name Lactobacillus acidophilus (Moro 1900) Hansen & Mocquot 1970 Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of several bacteria in the genus Lactobacillus. ... The word prebiotic has two separate and disparate meanings: Before Life From the roots pre (meaning before) and biotic (referring to life), the word prebiotic can refer to the time before life appeared on the earth or any other planet with the capacity to harbor it. ... Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) also sometimes called oligofructose or oligofructan, is a class of oligosaccharides used as an artificial or alternative sweetener. ...

Medicinal activated charcoal tablets (brand name CharcoCaps) have also been reported as effective in reducing both odor and quantity of flatus when taken immediately before food that is likely to cause flatulence later.^{[citation needed]} Activated carbon Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal or activated coal, is a general term which covers carbon material mostly derived from charcoal. ...

Pharmacological

Digestive enzyme supplements may significantly reduce the amount of flatulence caused by some components of foods not being digested by the body and thereby promoting the action of microbes in the small and large intestines. It has been suggested that alpha-galactosidase enzymes, which can digest certain complex sugars, are effective in reducing the volume and frequency of flatus.^[10] The enzymes alpha-galactosidase ), lactase, amylase, lipase, protease, cellulase, glucoamylase, invertase, malt diastase, pectinase, and bromelain are available, either individually or in combination blends, in commercial products. Digestive enzymes are enzymes in the alimentary tract that break down food so that the organism can absorb it. ... The intestine is the portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. ... A β-galactosidase is a type of hydrolase enzyme (EC 3. ... Neuraminidase ribbon diagram An enzyme (in Greek en = in and zyme = blend) is a protein, or protein complex, that catalyzes a chemical reaction and also controls the 3D orientation of the catalyzed substrates. ... Neuraminidase ribbon diagram An enzyme (in Greek en = in and zyme = blend) is a protein, or protein complex, that catalyzes a chemical reaction and also controls the 3D orientation of the catalyzed substrates. ... A β-galactosidase is a type of hydrolase enzyme (EC 3. ... Lactase is a member of the β-galactosidase family of enzyme: enzymes that hydrolysis β 1,4 bonded attachments off of galactose. ... Amylase is the name given to glycoside hydrolase enzymes that break down starch into glucose molecules. ... A computer-generated image of a type of pancreatic lipase (PLRP2) from the guinea pig. ... Proteases (proteinases, peptidases, or proteolytic enzymes) are enzymes that break peptide bonds between amino acids of proteins. ... Cellulase is an enzyme complex which breaks down cellulose to beta-glucose. ... Amylase is the name given to glycoside hydrolase enzymes that break down starch into glucose molecules. ... Invertase (EC 3. ... A diastase (from Greek διαστασις, separation) is any one of a group of enzymes which catalyses the breakdown of starch into maltose. ... Pectinase is a general term for enzymes that break down pectin, a polysaccharide substrate that is found in the cell walls of plants. ... Pineapple, one member of the Bromeliaceae family Bromelain can refer to one of two protease enzymes extracted from the plant family Bromeliaceae, or it can refer to a combination of those enzymes along with other compounds produced in an extract. ...

The antibiotic rifaximin, often used to treat diarrhea caused by the microorganism E. coli, may reduce both the production of intestinal gas and the frequency of flatus events.^[11] Staphylococcus aureus - Antibiotics test plate. ... Rifaximin Xifaxan Rifaximin is a nonabsorbable antibiotic, meaning that the drug will not pass the gastrointestinal wall into the circulation as is common for other types of orally administered antibiotics. ... In medicine, diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea (see spelling differences), refers to frequent loose or liquid bowel movements. ... A cluster of Escherichia coli bacteria magnified 10,000 times. ... See also Entamoeba coli. ...

While not affecting the production of the gases themselves, surfactants (agents which lower surface tension) can reduce the disagreeable sensations associated with flatulence, by aiding the dissolution of the gases into liquid and solid fecal matter. ^[12] Preparations containing simethicone reportedly operate by promoting the coalescence of smaller bubbles into larger ones more easily passed from the body, either by burping or flatulence. Such preparations do not decrease the total amount of gas generated in or passed from the colon, but make the bubbles larger and thereby allowing them to be passed more easily.^[12] Surfactants, also known as wetting agents, lower the surface tension of a liquid, allowing easier spreading. ... This box:      Surface tension is a property of the surface of a liquid that causes it to behave as an elastic sheet. ... Simethicone, is an oral anti-foaming agent used to reduce bloating, discomfort and pain caused by excess gas in the stomach or intestinal tract. ... BURP, Big Ugly Rendering Project, is one of the newest projects for the ever popular BOINC. BURP is set to become a huge graphics rendering farm. It will work as a publically distributed system for 3D rendering. ...

Often it may be helpful to ingest small quantities of acidic liquids with meals, such as lemon juice or vinegar, to stimulate the production of gastric hydrochloric acid. In turn, acid ingestion may increase normal gastric enzyme and acid production, facilitating normal digestion and perhaps limiting intestinal gas production. Ingestion of bromelain- or papain-containing supplements (such as raw pineapple or papaya, respectively,) may be helpful.^{[citation needed]} For other uses, see acid (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Citrus X limon {{{author}}} Lemons are the citrus fruit from the tree Citrus X limon. ... Vinegar is sometimes infused with spices or herbs—as here, with oregano. ... In anatomy, the stomach (in ancient Greek στομάχι) is an organ in the alimentary canal used to digest food. ... Hydrochloric acid is the aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas (HCl). ... Digestive enzymes are enzymes in the alimentary tract with a purpose of breaking down components of food so that they can be taken up by the organism. ... For the industrial process, see anaerobic digestion. ... Pineapple, one member of the Bromeliaceae family Bromelain can refer to one of two protease enzymes extracted from the plant family Bromeliaceae, or it can refer to a combination of those enzymes along with other compounds produced in an extract. ... Papain is a protease enzyme (EC 3. ... For other uses, see Pineapple (disambiguation). ... Binomial name L. This article is about the fruit. ...

Odor from flatulence, caused by the intestinal bacteria called microflora in the bowel, can be treated by taking bismuth subgallate. Bismuth subgallate is commonly used by individuals who have had ostomy surgery, bariatric surgery, fecal incontinence and irritable bowel syndrome.^[13][14] Aroma redirects here. ... Bismuth subgallate, with a chemical formula C7H5BiO6, is the active ingredient in the medication Devrom that is used to treat malodor by deodorizing flatulence and stool. ... Bismuth subgallate, with a chemical formula C7H5BiO6, is the active ingredient in the medication Devrom that is used to treat malodor by deodorizing flatulence and stool. ... In medicine, a stoma is a surgically created opening into the body. ... Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, refers to the various surgical procedures performed to treat obesity by modification of the gastrointestinal tract to reduce nutrient intake and/or absorption. ... Fecal incontinence is the loss of regular control of the bowels. ...

Post-Release

In 1998, Chester "Buck" Weimer of Pueblo, Colorado, USA received a patent for the first undergarment that contained a replaceable charcoal filter. The undergarments are air-tight and provide a pocketed escape hole in which a charcoal filter can be inserted.^[15] The City of Pueblo (IPA: //) is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat of Pueblo County, Colorado, USA. Pueblo is situated at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... Underwear redirects here. ... Charcoal Filter is a Japanese male rock band. ... A hermetic seal is an airtight seal. ... Hikers choose the easy way to cross hills. ...

A similar product was released in 2002, but rather than an entire undergarment, consumers are able to purchase an insert similar to a pantiliner that contains activated charcoal.^[16] The inventors, Myra and Brian Conant of Mililani, Hawaii, USA still claim on their website to have discovered the undergarment product in 2002 (8 years after Chester Weimer filed for a patent for his product), but states that their tests "concluded" that they should release an insert instead.^[17] A pantiliner is an absorbent piece of material used for feminine hygiene. ... Mililani Town is a census-designated place and town located near the center of Oahu Island, on the plateau or central valley between the two volcanic mountains that comprise the island. ...

Health effects

As a normal body function, the action of flatulence is an important signal of normal bowel activity and hence is often documented by nursing staff following surgical or other treatment of patients. However, symptoms of excessive flatulence can indicate the presence of irritable bowel syndrome or some other organic disease. In particular, the sudden occurrence of excessive flatulence together with the onset of new symptoms provide reason for seeking further medical examination. The intestine is the portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. ... This article is about the medical term. ...

Flatulence is not poisonous; it is a natural component of various intestinal contents. However, discomfort may develop from the build-up of gas pressure. In theory, pathological distension of the bowel, leading to constipation, could result if a person holds in flatulence. This article is about the dangerous substance. ... Constipation, costiveness, or irregularity, is a condition of the digestive system where a person (or animal) experiences hard feces that are difficult to egest. ...

Not all flatus is released from the body via the anus. When the partial pressure of any gas component of the intestinal lumen is higher than its partial pressure in the blood, that component enters into the bloodstream of the intestinal wall by the process of diffusion. As the blood passes through the lungs this gas can diffuse back out of the blood and be exhaled. If a person holds in flatus during daytime, it will often be released during sleep when the body is relaxed. Some flatus can become trapped within the feces during its compaction and will exit the body, still contained within the fecal matter, during the process of defecation. In a mixture of ideal gases, each gas has a partial pressure which is the pressure which the gas would have if it alone occupied the volume. ... artery anatomy, showing lumen The lumen (pl. ... For other uses, see Blood (disambiguation). ... diffusion (disambiguation). ... The heart and lungs (from an older edition of Grays Anatomy) The lung is an organ belonging to the respiratory system and interfacing to the circulatory system of air-breathing vertebrates. ... For the death metal band, see Defecation (band). ...

Environmental impact

The flatulence of cows is only a small portion of cows' methane release. Cows burp methane due to the physiology of their digestive systems.

Flatulence is often blamed as a significant source of greenhouse gases owing to the erroneous belief that the methane released by livestock is in the flatus.^[18] While livestock account for around 20% of global methane emissions,^[19] 90-95% of that is released by exhaling or burping.^[20] This means only 1–2% of global methane emissions come from livestock flatus. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Rainbow arching over a paddock of cattle Cattle are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ... Top: Increasing atmospheric levels as measured in the atmosphere and ice cores. ... Sheep are commonly bred as livestock. ... Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula . ... Breathing transports oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide out of the body. ... Burping, also known as belching, ructus, or eructation involves the release of gas from the digestive tract (mainly esophagus and stomach) through the mouth. ...

Since New Zealand produces large amounts of agricultural produce it is in a unique position of having high methane emissions livestock compared to other greenhouse gas sources. The New Zealand government is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol and therefore attempts are being made to reduce greenhouse emissions. To achieve this an Agricultural emissions research levy was proposed and it promptly became known as a "fart tax" or sometimes a "flatulence tax". It encountered opposition from farmers, farming lobby groups and opposition politicians.

Social context

This section does not cite any references or sources. (February 2008) Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

In many cultures, human flatulence in public is regarded as humorous. People will often strain to hold in the passing of gas when in polite company, or position themselves to conceal the noise and scent. In other cultures it may be no more embarrassing than coughing. For other uses, see Culture (disambiguation). ...

While the act of passing flatus is generally considered to be an unfortunate occurrence in public settings, flatulence may, in casual circumstances, be used as either a humorous supplement to a joke, or as a comic activity in and of itself.

Performance art

See also: Professional farter

• In St. Augustine's The City of God, Augustine, not otherwise noted for his levity, makes mention of men who "have such command of their bowels, that they can break wind continuously at will, so as to produce the effect of singing." That mankind in general has lost this ability he attributes to the first sin of Adam and Eve and its consequences with respect to body control. (The City of God Against the Pagans, ed and trans Philip Levine (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1966), XIV.24.
• Le Pétomane "the Fartiste" a famous French performer in the nineteenth century as well as many professional farters before him did flatulence impressions and held shows. The performer Mr. Methane carries on Le Pétomane's tradition today.

Le Pétomane. ... Augustinus redirects here. ... The City of God, opening text, created c. ... Michelangelos Creation of Adam, from the Sistine Chapel. ... Le Pétomane Le Pétomane was the stage name of the French professional farter and entertainer Joseph Pujol (June 1, 1857 - 1945). ... Le Pétomane. ... Paul Oldfield, born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, North West England, is better known by his stage name Mr. ...

See also

• Flatulence humor
• Borborygmus
• Vaginal flatulence
• The Gas We Pass
• Fart lighting
• Le Petomane

Example of flatulence humour Flatulence humor refers to any type of joke, practical joke device, or other humor related to flatulence. ... Borborygmus (plural borborygmi) is the rumbling sound produced by the movement of gas through the intestines of animals. ... Look up Vaginal flatulence in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Gas We Pass book cover The Gas We Pass: The Story of Farts is a childrens book written by Shinta Cho, published by Kane/Miller Book Publishers. ... Fart lighting or fart-burning, also referred to as a Blue Blazer, Blue Dart,Blue Flame, and Blue Angel, is the practice of setting fire to the gases produced by flatulence often producing a blue hue. ... Le Pétomane was the stage name of a French entertainer Joseph Pujol (June 1, 1857 - 1945). ...

References

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

A cure for flatulence from 1872

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Nontechnical resources

• Franklin, Benjamin (2003). in Japikse, Carl (Ed.): Fart Proudly, (Reprint), Frog Ltd/Blue Snake. ISBN 1-58394-079-0. 
• Dawson, Jim (1999). Who Cut the Cheese?: A Cultural History of the Fart. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 1-58008-011-1. 
• Dawson, Jim (2006). Blame it on the Dog: A Modern History of the Fart. Ten Speed Press. ISBN 1-58008-751-5. 
• D. von Schmausen. Official Rules, New World Odor International Freestyle Farting Championship. LULU. ISBN 978-1-4357-0919-5. 

External links

Look up flatus, flatulence in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• The Farting Survey (fartsurvey.com) - a comprehensive, worldwide survey about farts and farting.
• The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, Gas
• Facts on Farts
• Dictionary of Fart Slang
• The Great Fart Survey (simple statistical analysis of flatulence in youths) produced by Australian Broadcasting Corporation youth website, Rollercoaster)
• Flatulence Treatment
• Fart Sounds - frequently updated flog (fart+blog) dealing with all aspects of flatulence.
• Mr Methane - The world's only performing flatulist.
• Farts for websites - Fart sounds that people may add to their websites.
• CNN - Farmers let rip on flatulence tax