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Flatulence consists of gases that are produced by symbiotic bacteria and yeasts living in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals and are released through the anus. Flatulence is known colloquially as farting.
The primary constituents of flatulence (collectively known as flatus) are the non-odorous gases nitrogen (ingested), oxygen (ingested), methane (produced by anaerobic microbes), carbon dioxide (produced by aerobic microbes or ingested), and hydrogen (produced by some microbes and consumed by others). Odors result from trace amounts of other constituents (see below).
The noises commonly associated with flatulence are caused not by a flapping of the posterior, as commonly thought, but by the vibration of the anal opening. 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 moisture and body fat.
Causes of flatulence
Intestinal gas comes from exogenous (90%) and endogenous (10%) sources. Exogenous gas is air that is ingested through the nose and mouth. Endogenous gas is produced within the digestive tract.
The endogenous gases are produced as a by-product of digesting certain types of food. Flatulence producing foods are typically high in complex carbohydrates especially oligosaccharides such as Inulin and include beans, milk, onions, yams, sweet potatoes, citrus rinds, chestnuts, broccoli, cabbage, Jerusalem artichokes, yeast in breads, etc.
In beans, endogenous gases seem to arise from oligosaccharides, carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion: these pass through the upper intestine largely unchanged, and when they reach the lower intestine, bacteria feed on them, producing copious gas. (McGee, 1984 pp.257-8)
In the case of those with lactose intolerance (i.e., most non-Caucasian humans), intestinal bacteria feeding on lactose can give rise to excessive gas production.
Another source of excessive gas production in the stomach is stress. Stressful situations can cause the stomach to produce gas. Also, not only does tight clothing cause a gassy stomach to be painful, it also can contribute to the production of gas.
The average person releases 1 to 3 pints (0.5 to 1.5 liters) of flatus in 12 to 25 episodes throughout the day.
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. (McGee, 1984 pp.257-8)
Palliatives
Certain spices counteract the production of intestinal gas, most notably cumin, caraway and the closely related ajwain, turmeric, asafoetida (hing) and konbu (a Japanese culinary seaweed closely related to kelp).
Many people notice that if they reduce their intake of most refined carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, potatoes, and breads, their stomach gas production decreases significantly.
Digestive enzyme supplements can significantly reduce the amount of flatulence when that flatulence is caused by some components of foods not being digested by the body and feeding the microbes
in the small and large intestines. The enzymes alpha-galactosidase (brands Beano, Bean-zyme), Lactase (brand Lactaid), Amylase, Lipase, Protease, Cellulase, Glucomylase, Invertase, Malt Diastase, Pectinase, and Bromelain are available, either individually or in combination blends, in commercial products.
Probiotics (Yogurt, Kefir, Acidophilus, Bifidus, etc.) and Prebiotics (such as FOS) may also reduce flatulence if they are used to restore balance to the normal intestinal flora; used in excess, however, they may create an imbalance which increases flatulence.
While not affecting the production of the gases themselves, agents which lower surface tension can reduce the disagreeable sensations associated with flatulence, by aiding the dissolving of the gases into other liquid and solid fecal matter.
In social situations where the sound of flatulence would be particularly inappropriate a temporary remedy can be obtained by placing a piece of cotton wool or paper tissue about 4 cm in diameter onto the anus. If this is done whilst squatting then closure of the buttocks will hold it in place for a considerable period of time. This keeps the anus dry and reduces the velocity of the gas discharge, both of which prevent noisy events.
Health effects
A European study into the effect flatulence has on general health did not find any statistical significant differences in the general health of more flatulent and less flatulent people. They did however find that those who vented more frequently lived significantly happier lives. Despite an abundance of speculation, no direct cause for the phenomenon has been proven.
Breastfeeding mothers are advised to avoid gas producing food in their diet because breastfed babies can vomit when there is too much gas in their stomach.
Composition
Nitrogen is the primary gas released. Four other gases that are found in large proportion are methane, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. While methane is popularly associated with flatulence, evidence suggests that two-thirds of all humans do not release methane in their flatulence. Methane is mostly caused by bacteria within the anal opening. Methane and hydrogen however are flammable and as such some flatulence is susceptible to catching fire. The gas released occasionally has a foul odor which mainly results from butyric acid (rancid butter smell) and sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) that are the result of protein breakdown.
Cultural reactions
In many cultures, excessive human flatulence is regarded as embarrassing and impolite, even to the point of being a taboo subject; and hence a natural subject for toilet humour: see Blazing Saddles, Le Pétomane, Kangaroo Jack, American Pie, and Austin Powers, among others. During the telecast of Super Bowl XXXVIII in the United States, a beer advertisment featured a horse "letting one rip" which was considered in bad taste by those who saw the commercial.
Flatulence can be considered humorous to some people, either due to the scent or the sounds produced. Some find humor in lighting farts, which works well due to the methane content. A few individuals, such as Le Pétomane, have brought flatulence into the field of entertainment.
People in some primitive societies living in the vicinity of volcanoes or geysers may have believed that these were manifestations of divine flatulence.
Other words for flatulence
Euphemisms
There are a few euphemisms for flatulence, including:
- Blow off
- Bottom burp
- Break wind
- Bum Growl
- Fluff
- Guff
- Let wind
- Pass gas
- Pass wind
- Parp
- Poot
- Poppy
- Toot
- Paad (पाद Hindi language)
- Hawa Nikalana (Hindi language)
- Trump
Dysphemisms
There are also many dysphemisms for flatulence:
- Ass Gas
- Baking brownies (from South Park)
- Blow Ass
- Barking Spider
- Break Wind
- Burn a Cookie
- Bust ass
- Choke a donkey
- Cook with gas
- Crack one off
- Cracked corn
- Cut one
- Cut the cheese
- Drop ass
- Flaming flamingo
- Gag a maggot
- Gas grenade
- Let one rip
- Let one go
- Poo gas
- Rip Ass
- SBD (Silent But Deadly)
- SBV (Silent But Violent)
- Stinky winky
- Step on a duck
- Squealing pig
- The big bang
- Thunder weather
- Wolf Bait
- Woofie
Environmental impact
It is sometimes perceived that bovine flatulence is a source of greenhouse gas and may contribute to the greenhouse effect, however only one sixth of the total greenhouse gas emissions from livestock is produced by animal flatulence; the remainder is produced by animal burping. Livestock in New Zealand are said to produce about half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock in Australia contribute approximately 14 percent of that country's greenhouse gas emissions.
Historic farts
References
External links
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