Flatulence is the presence of a mixture of gases in the digestive tract of mammals. A symptom' (from Greek σύμπτωμα, "accident misfortune that which befalls" from συμπίπτω, "I befall" from A Sign is an indication of some fact or quality and a medical sign is an objective indication of some medical fact or quality that is detected by a Physician The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify Diseases The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision ( ICD -10) is a coding of diseases and signs symptoms abnormal findings R00-R69 - Symptoms and Signs (R00-R09 Circulatory and Respiratory systems ( Abnormalities of Heart beat The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify Diseases The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands 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'. The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals Fart is an English language Vulgarism most commonly used in reference to Flatulence.

Explanation

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. The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an Animal 's Digestive tract from the Mouth. The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an Animal 's Digestive tract from the Mouth. This page is about the physical properties of gas as a state of matter 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 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. A sphincter is a structure usually a circular Muscle, that normally maintains constriction of a natural body passage or orifice and which relaxes as required by normal physiological Sound' is Vibration transmitted through a Solid, Liquid, or Gas; particularly sound means those vibrations composed of Frequencies The olfactory components of flatulence include skatole, indole, and sulfurous compounds. Skatole or 3-methylindole is a mildly Toxic White Crystalline Organic compound belonging to the Indole family Indole is an Aromatic heterocyclic Organic compound. It has a bicyclic structure consisting of a six-membered Benzene ring fused to a five-membered Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 ^[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). Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single An aerobic organism or aerobe is an Organism that has an Oxygen based Metabolism. Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Methane is a Chemical compound with the molecular formula. It is the simplest Alkane, and the principal component of Natural gas. An anaerobic organism is any Organism that does not require Oxygen for growth and may even die in its presence ^[2]

Composition of flatus gases

Nitrogen is the primary gas released. Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 This page is about the physical properties of gas as a state of matter Carbon dioxide is often present, especially in persons who drink carbonated beverages in quantity. Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single Methane and hydrogen, lesser components, are flammable, and so flatus can be ignited. Methane is a Chemical compound with the molecular formula. It is the simplest Alkane, and the principal component of Natural gas. Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Flammability is the ease with which a substance will ignite causing Fire or Combustion. Fart lighting, (also called fart-burning, blue-darting, blue flame, blue angel, flatus ignition, and pyroflatulence) is 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. Feces, faeces, or fæces (see spelling differences) is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the Anus ^[3] Similar results are found in samples of gas obtained from within the rectum. The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals

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 molecular mass (abbreviated m of a substance, more commonly referred to as molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the Mass of one In Chemistry, especially Biochemistry, a fatty acid is a Carboxylic acid often with a long unbranched Aliphatic tail ( chain) which Butyric acid (from Greek βούτυρος = butter) also known under the systematic name butanoic acid, is a Carboxylic acid with the structural Rancidification is the decomposition of Fats Oils and other Lipids by Hydrolysis or Oxidation, or both Butter is a Dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented Cream or Milk. Redox (shorthand for reduction-oxidation reaction describes all Chemical reactions in which atoms have their Oxidation number ( Oxidation state Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 Hydrogen sulfide (or hydrogen sulphide) is the Chemical compound with the formula H 2 S. Carbonyl sulfide is the Chemical compound with the formula OCS Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl The incidence of odoriferous compounds in flatus increases from herbivores, such as cattle, through omnivores to carnivorous species, such as cats or dogs. Herbivory is a form of Predation in which an Organism, known as a herbivore, consumes principally Autotrophs ref name=Campbell>Campbell Cattle, colloquially referred to as cows, are domesticated Ungulates a member of the Subfamily Bovinae of the family Omnivores (from Latin omne all everything vorare to devour are species that eat both Plants and Animals as their primary A carnivore (ˈkɑrnɪvɔər meaning 'meat eater' ( Latin carne meaning 'flesh' and vorare meaning 'to devour' is any animal with a diet consisting In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. WikipediaManual of Style (spelling, articles should conform to one overall spelling style of English typically the one most linked to the article topic (if it is geographic The dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated Subspecies of the gray wolf, a Mammal of the Canidae family of the order 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 Bacteria ( singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular Microorganisms Typically a few Micrometres in length bacteria have The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals

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%

Mechanism of action

The noises commonly associated with flatulence are caused by the vibration of the anal sphincter, and occasionally by the closed buttocks. Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Methane is a Chemical compound with the molecular formula. It is the simplest Alkane, and the principal component of Natural gas. is a one volume manga created by Tsutomu Nihei as a prequel to his ten-volume work Blame!. Oscillation is the repetitive variation typically in Time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of Equilibrium) or between two or more different states The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an Animal 's Digestive tract from the Mouth. A sphincter is a structure usually a circular Muscle, that normally maintains constriction of a natural body passage or orifice and which relaxes as required by normal physiological The buttocks (singular buttock) are rounded portions of the anatomy located on the posterior of the Pelvic region of the Apes including Humans 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. Muscle (from Latin musculus, diminutive of mus "mouse" is contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the In Physics, velocity is defined as the rate of change of Position. This page is about the physical properties of gas as a state of matter The auditory pitch (sound) of the flatulence outburst can also be affected by the anal embouchure. The embouchure is the use of facial muscles and the shaping of the lips to the Mouthpiece of a Wind instrument. 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. In Medicine, a cough ( Latin: tussis) is a sudden and often repetitively occurring defence Reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages A sneeze (or sternutation) is a semi-autonomous Convulsive expulsion of Air from the Lungs, most commonly caused by foreign particles 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

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. The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the Large intestine in some Mammals Feces, faeces, or fæces (see spelling differences) is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the Anus 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.

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). Aerophagia (var aerophagy) is a condition that occurs when a person swallows too much air which goes to the Stomach. Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( American English and Canadian English) or Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease ( British English, Hiberno-English The endogenous gases are produced either as a by-product of digesting certain types of food, or of incomplete digestion. The word endogenous means "arising from within" the opposite of Exogenous. Food is any substance usually composed primarily of Carbohydrates Fats water and/or Proteins that can be eaten or drunk by an Digestion is the breaking down of chemicals in the body into a form that can be absorbed 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. In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following In Biology the small Intestine is the part of the Gastrointestinal tract (gut between the Stomach and the Large intestine, and comprises Fermentation is the process of deriving energy from the oxidation of organic compounds such as carbohydrates using an endogenous electron acceptor which is Yeasts are a growth form of eukaryotic Microorganisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with about 1500 Species currently described The prokaryotes (proʊˈkærioʊts singular prokaryote /proʊˈkæriət/ are a group of Organisms that lack a Cell nucleus (= karyon or any other

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. Polysaccharides are relatively complex Carbohydrates They are Polymers made up of many Monosaccharides joined together by Glycosidic bonds An oligosaccharide is a Saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to ten of component sugars also known as Simple sugars. Inulins are a group of naturally occurring Polysaccharides (several simple sugars linked together produced by many types of plants Bean is a common name for large plant Seeds of several genera of the family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae used for human food or animal The lentil or daal or pulse ( Lens culinaris) is a bushy Annual plant of the legume family grown for its lens-shaped Seeds Dairy products are generally defined as Foodstuffs produced from Milk. Organicsalsajpg||thumb|right|Onions used in salsa.]]Cooked onions in frying pan Allium sativum L, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the Onion family Alliaceae. "Green onions" redirects here For other uses see Green onion. The leek, Allium ampeloprasum var porrum (L also sometimes known as Allium porrum, is a vegetable which belongs along with the Onion and The radish ( Raphanus sativus) is an edible Root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family that was domesticated in Europe in pre- The sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas) is a Dicotyledonous plant which belongs to the family Convolvulaceae The cashew ( Anacardium occidentale; Syn Anacardium curatellifolium A The Jerusalem artichoke ( Helianthus tuberosus) also called the sunroot or sunchoke or earth apple or topinambur, is a species Oats redirects here It may mean either the common cereal oat discussed here or any cultivated or wild species of the Genus Avena. Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. Yeasts are a growth form of eukaryotic Microorganisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with about 1500 Species currently described Bread is a Staple food prepared by Baking a Dough of Flour and Water. The term " vegetable " generally means the edible parts of Plants The definition of the word is traditional rather than Scientific, however 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. Cauliflower is one of several vegetables in the species Brassica oleracea, in the family Brassicaceae. Broccoli is a plant of the Cabbage family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae The cabbage ( Brassica oleracea var capitata) is a leafy garden plant of the Family Brassicaceae (or Cruciferae used as a Edible plants in the family Brassicaceae (also called Cruciferae are termed Cruciferous vegetables. Brassica ( Brás-si-ca) is a genus of plants in the mustard family ( Brassicaceae) 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. An oligosaccharide is a Saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to ten of component sugars also known as Simple sugars. Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most A microorganism (also spelled micro organism or micro-organism and also called a microbe) is an Organism that is Microscopic (usually 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. An oligosaccharide is a Saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to ten 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 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 The Bacteria ( singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular Microorganisms Typically a few Micrometres in length bacteria have ^[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. Lactose intolerance is the inability to metabolize Lactose, a sugar found in Milk and other Dairy products because the required enzyme The Bacteria ( singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular Microorganisms Typically a few Micrometres in length bacteria have Lactose (also referred to as milk sugar) is a Sugar which is found most notably in Milk. Milk is an opaque white liquid produced by the Mammary glands of female Mammals (including Monotremes.

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. Flight is the process by which an object achieves sustained movement either through the Air (or movement beyond Earth's atmosphere, in the case of This is a list of government agencies engaged in activities related to Outer space and Space exploration. ^[6] In the field of mountaineering, High Altitude Flatus Expulsion was first noticed over two hundred years ago. HAFE or high altitude flatus expulsion is a Gastrointestinal syndrome which involves the spontaneous passage of increased quantities of Rectal gases at

Remedies

Dietary

Certain spices have been reported to counteract the production of intestinal gas, most notably cumin, coriander, caraway and the closely related ajwain, turmeric, asafoetida (hing), epazote, and kombu kelp (a Japanese seaweed). A spice is a dried Seed, Fruit, Root, Bark or vegetative substance used in Nutritionally insignificant quantities as a Food additive Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum) also commonly called cilantro, is an annual Herb in the family Apiaceae. Caraway or Persian cumin ( Carum carvi) is a Biennial plant in the family Apiaceae, native to Europe and western Asia Ammi majus is known as bishop's weed. Ground-elder is also known as bishop's weed. Turmeric ( Curcuma longa) is a Rhizomatous Herbaceous Perennial plant of the Ginger family Zingiberaceae Asafoetida ( Ferula assafoetida) alternative spelling asafetida, æsəˈfɛtɪdə (also known as devil's dung, stinking gum, asant Epazote, Wormseed, Jesuit's Tea, Mexican Tea, or Herba Sancti Mariæ ( Dysphania ambrosioides, formerly Chenopodium ambrosioides Kombu or konbu (昆布 kombɯ also called dashima (다시마 dasima) or haidai ( are edible Kelp Kelp are large Seaweeds ( Algae) belonging to the Brown algae and classified in the order Laminariales Seaweed is a loose colloquial term encompassing macroscopic Multicellular, benthic marine Algae. 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, but at a cost of also leaching out other water-soluble nutrients. An oligosaccharide is a Saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to ten of component sugars also known as Simple sugars. 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. Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum have recently been hypothesized as being responsible for this effect. Lactobacillus casei is a Species of Genus Lactobacillus found in the human intestine and mouth Lactobacillus plantarum is a widespread member of the genus Lactobacillus, commonly found in Sauerkraut, pickles brined olives Korean ^[8] Some legumes also stand up to prolonged cooking, which can help break down the oligosaccharides into simple sugars. A legume is a Plant in the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae or a Fruit of these specific plants 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). Fermentation in Food processing typically refers to the conversion of Sugar to Alcohol using Yeast under Anaerobic conditions is a traditional Japanese food produced by fermenting Rice, Barley and/or Soybeans, with salt and the fungus (the most typical miso is made Tofu, also (the Japanese Romaji spelling doufu (the Chinese Pinyin spelling often used in Chinese recipes or bean curd (the literal

Probiotics (yogurt, kefir, etc. Probiotics are Dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial Bacteria or Yeasts According to the currently adopted definition by FAO / Yoghurt, yogurt, yoghourt, youghurt or yogourt (see spelling below is a For the Islamic term see Kaffir. Kefir (alternately keefir, kephir, kewra, talai, mudu kekiya ) 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). Lactobacillus acidophilus is one Species in the genus Lactobacillus. L. acidophilus may make the intestines more acidic, thus maintaining the natural balance of fermentation processes. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one Species in the genus Lactobacillus. L. acidophilus is available in supplements (non-dairy is reputedly best). Lactobacillus acidophilus is one Species in the genus Lactobacillus. Prebiotics, which generally are non-digestible oligosaccharides, such as fructooligosaccharide, generally increase flatulence in a similar way as described for lactose intolerance. Prebiotics are a category of Functional food, defined as Non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth Fructooligosaccharides ( FOS) also sometimes called oligofructose or oligofructan, is a class of Oligosaccharides used as an artificial or alternative

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. Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal or activated coal, is a form of Carbon that has been processed to make it extremely porous and thus to

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. Digestion enzymes are Enzymes that break down Polymeric Macromolecules into their smaller building blocks 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 It has been suggested that alpha-galactosidase enzymes, which can digest certain complex sugars, are effective in reducing the volume and frequency of flatus. Alpha-galactosidase is a Glycoside hydrolase Enzyme that hydrolyses the terminal alpha-galactosyl moieties from glycolipids and glycoproteins Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins ^[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. Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins Alpha-galactosidase is a Glycoside hydrolase Enzyme that hydrolyses the terminal alpha-galactosyl moieties from glycolipids and glycoproteins Lactase (LCT a part of the β-galactosidase family of Enzymes is a Glycoside hydrolase involved in the Hydrolysis Amylase is an Enzyme that breaks Starch down into Sugar. Amylase is present in human Saliva, where it begins the chemical process A lipase is a Water-soluble Enzyme that Catalyzes the Hydrolysis of Ester bonds in water–insoluble Lipid A protease is any Enzyme that conducts Proteolysis, that is begins protein Catabolism by Hydrolysis of the Peptide bonds that link Cellulase refers to a class of Enzymes produced chiefly by Fungi, Bacteria, and Protozoans that Catalyze the cellulolysis (or Amylase is an Enzyme that breaks Starch down into Sugar. Amylase is present in human Saliva, where it begins the chemical process Invertase ( (systematic name beta-fructofuranosidase is a Sucrase enzyme A diastase (from Greek διαστασις "separation" is any one of a group of Enzymes which catalyses the breakdown of Starch into Pectinase is a general term for cool Enzymes that break down Pectin, a polysaccharide substrate that is found in the cell walls of Plants. 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

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. In modern usage an antibiotic is a Chemotherapeutic agent with activity against Microorganisms such as Bacteria, fungi or Protozoa Rifaximin is a semisynthetic Rifamycin -based non-systemic Antibiotic, meaning that the drug will not pass the gastrointestinal wall into the circulation as is common In Medicine, diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea (see spelling differences) is frequent loose or liquid Bowel movements Acute diarrhea A microorganism (also spelled micro organism or micro-organism and also called a microbe) is an Organism that is Microscopic (usually ^[11]

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. Surfactants are wetting agents that lower the Surface tension of a liquid allowing easier spreading and lower the Interfacial tension between two liquids For the work of fiction see Surface Tension (short story. Surface tension is a property of the surface of a Liquid that causes it to ^[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. Simethicone is an oral Anti-foaming agent used to reduce Bloating, discomfort and pain caused by excess gas in the stomach or intestinal tract 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]

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 Computer science, ACID ( Atomicity Consistency Isolation Durability) is a set of properties that guarantee that Database transactions are The lemon ( Citrus × limon) is a hybrid in cultivated wild plants Vinegar is an acidic liquid processed from the Fermentation of Ethanol in a process that yields its key ingredient Acetic acid (also called ethanoic acid In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following Hydrochloric acid is the Solution of Hydrogen chloride ( H[[Chlorine Cl]] in water In turn, acid ingestion may increase normal gastric enzyme and acid production, facilitating normal digestion and perhaps limiting intestinal gas production. Digestion enzymes are Enzymes that break down Polymeric Macromolecules into their smaller building blocks Digestion is the breaking down of chemicals in the body into a form that can be absorbed Ingestion of bromelain- or papain-containing supplements (such as raw pineapple or papaya, respectively,) may be helpful. 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 Papain is a Cysteine protease ( Hydrolase Enzyme present in Papaya ( Carica papaya) and Mountain papaya ( Vasconcellea Pineapple ( Ananas comosus) is the common name for an edible Tropical Plant and also its Fruit It is native to the southern part of Brazil The papaya (from Carib via Spanish) is the Fruit of the Plant Carica papaya, in the genus Carica.

Odor from flatulence, caused by the intestinal bacteria called microflora in the bowel, can be treated by taking bismuth subgallate. Bismuth subgallate, with a chemical formula C7H5BiO6 is the active ingredient in Devrom (internal deodorant an over-the-counter FDA approved Bismuth subgallate is commonly used by individuals who have had ostomy surgery, bariatric surgery, fecal incontinence and irritable bowel syndrome. Bismuth subgallate, with a chemical formula C7H5BiO6 is the active ingredient in Devrom (internal deodorant an over-the-counter FDA approved In Medicine, a stoma (Greek - pl stomata is an opening either natural or surgically created (artificial which connects a portion of the body cavity to the outside Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, refers to the various surgical procedures performed to treat Obesity by modification of the Gastrointestinal Fecal incontinence is the loss of regular control of the Bowels. In Gastroenterology, irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS) is a Functional bowel disorder characterized by mild to severe Abdominal pain, discomfort ^[13][14]

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 City of Pueblo (ˈpwɛbloʊ is a Home Rule Municipality that is the County seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Undergarments are clothes worn under other clothes often next to the skin also known as Charcofil or to their fans is a Japanese male rock band The undergarments are air-tight and provide a pocketed escape hole in which a charcoal filter can be inserted. A hermetic seal is a seal which for practical purposes is considered airtight The path of least resistance describes the physical or metaphorical pathway that provides the least resistance to forward motion by a given object or entity among a set of alternative ^[15]

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. Mililani is a Census-designated place (CDP and master planned community located near the center of the island of O{{okina}}ahu in Honolulu County ^[17]

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. 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 However, symptoms of excessive flatulence can indicate the presence of irritable bowel syndrome or some other organic disease. In Gastroenterology, irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS) is a Functional bowel disorder characterized by mild to severe Abdominal pain, discomfort A disease is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions and can be deadly In particular, the sudden occurrence of excessive flatulence together with the onset of new symptoms provide reason for seeking further medical examination.

Flatulence is not poisonous; it is a natural component of various intestinal contents. In the context of Biology, poisons are substances that can cause damage, Illness, or Death to Organisms usually by 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. Constipation, costiveness, or irregularity, is a condition of the Digestive system in which a person (or animal experiences hard Feces that

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. 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 A lumen (Lat lūmen, an opening or light (pl lumina is the inside space or lining of a tubular structure such as an artery or intestine Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells ��such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products Diffusion is the net movement of particles (typically molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration by uncoordinated random movement As the blood passes through the lungs this gas can diffuse back out of the blood and be exhaled. lung is the essential Respiration organ in air-breathing Animals including most Tetrapods a few Fish and a few Snails The most primitive 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. Defecation is the final act of Digestion by which organisms eliminate solid semisolid or liquid Waste material ( Faeces) from the Digestive tract

Environmental impact

The flatulence of cows is only a small portion of cows' methane release. Cattle, colloquially referred to as cows, are domesticated Ungulates a member of the Subfamily Bovinae of the family 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. Greenhouse gases are gaseous constituents of the atmosphere bothnatural and anthropogenic that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of thermal infrared Livestock is the term used to refer (singularly or plurally to a Domesticated Animal intentionally reared in an agricultural setting to produce such as Food ^[18] While livestock account for around 20% of global methane emissions,^[19] 90-95% of that is released by exhaling or burping. Methane is a Chemical compound with the molecular formula. It is the simplest Alkane, and the principal component of Natural gas. Breathing takes Oxygen in and Carbon dioxide out of the body Aerobic Organisms require oxygen to create energy via respiration, in ^[20] This means only 1–2% of global methane emissions come from livestock flatus.

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. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island 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". The Agricultural emissions research levy (commonly described as a "flatulence tax" or "fart tax" was a tax proposed in New Zealand in 2003 to assist with It encountered opposition from farmers, farming lobby groups and opposition politicians.

Social context

In many cultures, human flatulence in public is regarded as humorous. Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate" generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic 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. In Medicine, a cough ( Latin: tussis) is a sudden and often repetitively occurring defence Reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages

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. A flatulist, fartist, or professional farter is a performer who receives payment for farting in an amusing and/or musical manner " 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. Adam (אָדָם ʼĀḏām, "dust man mankind" آدم; Ge'ez: አዳ and Eve (חַוָּה Ḥawwā, "living (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. Le Pétomane (ləˈpɛtəmeɪn French ləpetɔˈman was the Stage name of the French Professional farter and entertainer Joseph Pujol ( A flatulist, fartist, or professional farter is a performer who receives payment for farting in an amusing and/or musical manner The performer Mr. Methane carries on Le Pétomane's tradition today. 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

References

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

• 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