Michael Davis's video: What causes intestinal gas v2

Gas The next time someone accuses you of being full of hot air, you can tell them that they are absolutely correct. Gastrointestinal gas is a fact of life. While measuring the amount of gas produced by a human is a challenging feat, some scientists, with perhaps too much free time on their hands, have generated some reasonable estimates. The verdict -- 1 L per human per day. Some air is swallowed during eating but most of this is expelled by belching. A small amount of gas is produced by the neutralization of stomach acid in the first part of the small intestines. The majority of intestinal gas is produced by the fermentation of food debris in the colon. Colon gas is mostly non-smelly stuff including nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. Trace amounts of stinky substances such as hydrogen sulfide produce the offending smell. One of the gas products, methane, has the interesting property of inflammability. Please use this information wisely. The amount of gas produced in the colon greatly depends on the population of bacteria in the colon, the speed of food through the intestines, and the types of foods consumed. Any process which brings poorly digested food together with the normal colon bacteria may produce gas as a side product. Gas produces the rumbling sounds of the stomach and in excess may cause severe crampy pain. Some gas is absorbed through the intestinal walls but the rest results in flatulence (also known as farts, toots, and air bisquits). The characteristic noise arises from vibrations of the skin of the buttocks during air release. Perhaps the best solution for excess gas is to displace blame to those standing nearby. Or you can blame the cat. If this does not work, you may wish to try other strategies including reducing carbohydrate-rich foods and regulating your bowel habits. You may also wish to consult with your doctor as severe gas may represent a more complex gastrointestinal issue. Michael K. Davis, MD The Impatient Doctor