Flatulence

Flatulence is the presence of a mix of gasesknown as flatus that are produced by symbioticbacteriaand yeastsliving in the gastrointestinal tractof mammals. Flatulence is released under pressurethrough the anus, often with a characteristic soundand offensive odor. Releasing flatulence is colloquially known as farting; the back-formation to flatulate is also in common usage.

Amount and constituents

The averagehumanreleases 0.5 to 1.5 litres(1 to 3 U.S. pints) of flatus in 12 to 25 episodes throughout the day. The primary constituents of flatulence are the non-odorous gasesnitrogen(ingested), oxygen(ingested), methane(produced by anaerobic microbes), carbon dioxide(produced by aerobic microbesor ingested), and hydrogen(produced by some microbes and consumed by others). Odors result from trace amountsof other components (often sulphurcontaining, see below) and nitroglycerin.

Nitrogenis the primary gasreleased. Methaneand hydrogen, lesser components, are flammable, and so flatulence is susceptible to catching fire. Gas released mostly has a foul odorwhich mainly results from low molecular weightfatty acidssuch as butyric acid(rancidbuttersmell) and reduced sulfurcompounds such as hydrogen sulfide(rotten egg smell) and carbonyl sulfidethat are the result of proteinbreakdown. The incidence of odoriferous compounds in flatus increases from herbivores, such as cattle, to omnivoresto carnivorousspecies, such as cats.

Causes

Intestinal gas is composed of 90% exogenous sources (air that is ingested through the nose and mouth) and 10% endogenous sources (gas is produced within the digestive tract). The endogenousgases are produced as a by-product of digesting certain types of food. Flatulence producing foods are typically high in complex carbohydrates(especially oligosaccharidessuch as inulin) and include beans, milk, onions, yams (sweet potatoes), citrus rinds, cheese, chestnuts, cashews, broccoli, cabbage, Jerusalem artichokes, oat, yeastin breads, etc.

In beans, endogenous gases seem to arise from oligosaccharides, carbohydratesthat are resistant to digestion: these pass through the upper intestinelargely unchanged, and when they reach the lower intestine, bacteriafeed on them, producing copious amounts of gas(McGee 1984 pp.257–8).

In the case of those with lactose intolerance, intestinal bacteriafeeding on lactosecan give rise to excessive gasproduction when milkor lactose-containing substances have been consumed.

Interest in the causes of flatulence was spurred by high-altitude flightand the space program; the low atmospheric pressure, confined conditions, and stresses peculiar to those endeavours were cause for concern (McGee, 1984 pp.257–8).

Mechanism of action

The noisescommonly associated with flatulence are caused by the vibrationof the analopening. The sound varies depending on the tightness of the sphinctermuscleand velocityof the gasbeing propelled, as well as other factors such as moistureand body fat.

Flatus is brought to the anus in the same peristalsismethod as feces, causing a similar feeling of urgency and discomfort. Nerve endings in the rectum learn to distinguish between flatus and feces, although loose stoolcan confuse these nerves, and sometimes results in accidental defecation.

Some correlation between flatus and ligamental tension has been anecdotally observed. The strongest relationship has been determined with tension associated with the carpal joints^{[citation needed]}.

Remedies

Dietary

Certain spicescounteract the production of intestinal gas, most notably cumin, carawayand the closely related ajwain, turmeric, asafoetida(hing) and konbukelp(a Japaneseseaweed).

Many people report that by reducing intake of most refined carbohydrates(such as rice, pasta, potatoesand bread), the amount of flatulence may decrease significantly. The water-soluble oligosaccharides in beans that contribute to production of intestinal gas can be reduced through a regime of brief boiling followed by a long period of soaking, but at a cost of also leaching out other water-soluble nutrients. Some legumes also stand up to prolonged cooking, which can help break down the oligosaccharides into simple sugars. Fermentationalso breaks down oligosaccharides, which is why fermented bean products such as misoand tofu are less likely to produce as much intestinal gas.

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.

Medicinal charcoaltablets have also been reported as effective in reducing both odor and quantity of flatus when taken immediately prior to food that is likely to cause flatulence later.

Pharmacological

Digestive enzymesupplements 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 enzymesalpha-galactosidase(brands Beano, Bean-zyme), lactase(brand Lactaid), amylase, lipase, protease, cellulase, glucomylase, invertase, malt diastase, pectinase, and bromelainare available, either individually or in combination blends, in commercial products.

While not affecting the production of the gases themselves, agents which lower surface tensioncan reduce the disagreeable sensations associated with flatulence, by aiding the dissolving of the gases into other liquid and solid fecal matter.

Often it is helpful to ingest small quantities of acidic liquids with meals, such as lemon juice or vinegar, to stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid, which in turn increases enzyme production. This facilitates digestion and may limit gas production.

Health effects

As a normal body function, the action of flatulence is an important signal of normal bowelactivity and hence is often documented by nursing staff following surgical or other treatment of patients.

There is no particular harm to come from holding in flatus. 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 flatus.

Environmental impact

Livestockare a significant contributing factor to the greenhouse effect, accounting for around 20% of global methaneemissions[1]. Less than 10% of the total greenhouse gasemissions from livestock is produced by animal flatulence; the remainder is produced by animal burping. Livestock in New Zealandaccount for 60% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions[2]. Livestock in Australiacontribute approximately 14% of that country's greenhouse gas emissions.

Social context

In many cultures, excessive human flatulence is regarded as embarrassing and impolite, even to the point of being a taboosubject; and hence a natural subject for toilet humour.

People will often strain to hold in the passing of gas when in polite company, or position themselves to conceal the noise and smell.

Flatulence can be considered humorous to some people, either due to the scent or the sounds produced. Some find humor in flatulence ignition, which is possible due to the presence of flammable gases such as hydrogen and methane, though the process is very dangerous and can result in burn injuries to the rectum and anus.

Literature and the arts

Flatulence has had a role in literature for centuries. In Rabelais' 16th century Gargantua cycle, the word pet (fart) appears several times.

In the translated version of Penguin's 1001 Arabian NightsTales, a story titled "The Historic Fart" tells of a man that flees his country from the sheer embarrassment of farting at his wedding.

In Dante's Divine Comedy, the last line of Inferno Chapter XXI reads: ed elli avea del cul fatto trombetta ("and he used his buttocks as a trumpet"), in the last example the use of this natural body function underlined a demoniac condition.

In Chaucer's "Miller's Tale" (one of the Canterbury Tales), the character Nicholas hangs his buttocks out of a window and farts in the face of his rival Absolom. Absolom then sears Nicholas's bum with a red-hot poker ("Nicholas quickly raised the window and thrust his ass far out...At this Nicholas let fly a fart with a noise as great as a clap of thunder, so that Absolom was almost overcome by the force of it. But he was ready with his hot iron and smote Nicholas in the middle of his ass."). (Lines 690–707)

In James Joyce's Ulysses, the main character Leopold Bloombreaks wind in the "Sirens" chapter of the book. [3]

In Emile Zola's La Terre (the 15th volume of the series Les Rougon-Macquart), the eldest Fouan son (called Jesus Christbecause of his long hair and beard) can fart at will and keeps winning free drinks by betting on his skill.

The Walter the Farting Dogseries of children's books by William Kotzwinkleand Glenn Murrayfeature a dog with a flatulence problem as a central comedic element.

A few individuals, such as Le Pétomane, have brought flatulence onto the stage in one-man shows.

In the cinema, farting was traditionally featured in films intended for adult audiences such as Blazing Saddles, but is now an acceptable source of humour even in children's films such as The Lion King.

Farting is no longer summarily censored from television broadcasts in the United States. During the telecast of Super Bowl XXXVIII, a beer advertisement featured a horse passing gas.

In the TV series South Park, the in-series TV show Terrance and Phillip features two Canadian boys of the show's namesake who rely mostly on farts for their humor.

The Gas We Pass (ISBN 0916291529) is a popular children's book in the United States about flatulence.

Beans Beans the Magical Fruit...is a popular children's song about beansand their capacity to cause flatulence.

Curiosities

• Le Petomane"the Fartiste" was a well-liked French performer in the 19th Century who did flatulence impressions and held shows.

• Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxfordfarted while swearing loyalty to Queen Elizabeth I, and consequently went into self-imposed exilefor sevenyears. After his return, the Queen was reported to have reassured de Vere: "My Lord, I had quite forgotten the fart." (John Aubrey, Brief Lives)

• Emperor Claudiuspassed a law legalizing farting at banquets out of concern for people's health. There was a widespread misconception that a person could be poisoned by retaining farts.

• In August 2005, New Scientist magazine reported that inventors Michael Zanakis and Philip Femano had been awarded a US patent (U.S. Patent 6,055,910) for a "toy gas-fired missile and launcher assembly". The abstract of the patent makes it clear that this is, in fact, a fart-powered rocket:

  "A ... missile is composed of a soft head and a tail extending therefrom formed by a piston. The piston is telescoped into the barrel of a launcher having a closed end on which is mounted an electrically activated igniter, the air space between the end of the piston and the closed end of the barrel defining a combustion chamber. Joined to the barrel, and communicating with the chamber therein, is a gas intake tube having a normally closed inlet valve. To operate the assembly, the operator places the inlet tube with its valve open adjacent [to] his anal region, from which a colonic gas is discharged. The piston is then withdrawn to a degree producing a negative pressure to inhale the gas into the combustion chamber to intermix with the air therein to create a combustible mixture. The igniter is then activated to explode the mixture in the chamber and fire the missile into space."

• British inventors have also patented fart-related ideas, such as "A fart collecting device," which includes a drawing of the invention deployed and ready for action, with helpful numbers to identify the various components. "It comprises a gas-tight collecting tube 10 for insertion into the rectum of the subject. The tube 10 is connected to a gas-tight collecting bag (not shown). The end of the tube inserted into the subject is apertured and covered with a gauze filter and a gas permeable bladder 28."

• Mambo Graphics, an Australian surfwear label, features the iconic "Farting Dog" design in its lineup. Here the flatulence is depicted as a musical note eminating from the dog's backside.

See also

• professional farter
• Borborygmus

References

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• "Burp vaccine cuts greenhouse gas emissions"by Rachel Nowak, New Scientist website, 25 September2004, retrieved December 32005.
• "Farmers raise stink over New Zealand 'fart tax'"by David Fickling,Guardian Unlimited, September 52003, retrieved December 32005.

Nontechnical Resources

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External links

• 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)de:Flatulenz

es:Flatulencia fr:Flatulence id:Kentut it:Flatulenza he:????? nl:Winderigheid ja:? pl:Gazy jelitowe pt:Flatulência ru:????????? fi:Pieru sv:Flatulens

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatulence Wikipedia article Flatulence.