Causes of Flatulence

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Certain foods such as kidney beans and artichokes cause an overproduction of bacteria in the stomach, which can in turn lead to excessive flatulence. Food containing a lot of fibre such as baked beans and brown rice are also common causes of flatulence.

Many people have also noted that lettuce, apples, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, swede, onions, brussels sprouts, garlic, leeks, and products made with malt extracts can also be causes of flatulence.

More serious causes of flatulence can be digestive disorders such as gastroenteritis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, if there are no other symptoms, this is very unlikely.

Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and the intestine causing vomiting and diarrhoea. Gastroenteritis is caused mainly by viruses, such as the rotaviruses commonly found in infected shellfish. Bacteria and other organisms such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella or Giardia lamblia can also be a cause. These can be picked up from contaminated food or water, and often reflect poor hygiene during food preparation.

IBS is a persistent disorder, featuring recurrent abdominal pain and intermittent diarrhoea, often alternating with constipation, for which no obvious cause can be found. Symptoms include frequent bowel motions, a sense of fullness (bloating) and often headache and anxiety.