What Causes Flatulence?

Flatulence can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose flatulence, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "flatulence" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):

Lactose Intolerance
Ovarian Cancer
Stomach Acid Deficiency
Low Digestive Enzymes
Poor Digestion
Bacterial Dysbiosis
Food Allergies
Candida / Yeast

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

bags under eyes

PPI antacid use

craving specific foods

cigarette smoke sensitivity

above average sneezing frequency

past pain/burning behind breastbone

coated tongue

frequent colds/flus

difficulty falling asleep

craving and eating wheat

bloating caused by many foods

discomfort caused by mold/mustiness

... and more than 100 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of flatulence:

Cause	Probability	Status
Bacterial Dysbiosis	93%	Confirm
Ovarian Cancer	14%	Unlikely
Food Allergies	12%	Unlikely
Lactose Intolerance	5%	Ruled out
Low Digestive Enzymes	4%	Ruled out
Candida / Yeast	0%	Ruled out
Poor Digestion	0%	Ruled out
Stomach Acid Deficiency	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate digestive problems, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Do you suffer from excess lower bowel gas (flatulence)?

Possible responses:

→ No / 'average' / don't know
→ Somewhat more than most people
→ Very much more than most people

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate general flatulence, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Allergy to Foods (Hidden)

Bacterial Dysbiosis

Blastocystosis (Blastocystis hominis)

Digestive Enzyme Need

Diverticular Disease

Dyspepsia / Poor Digestion

Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease

Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Lactose Intolerance

"Lactose malabsorption and lactase deficiency are chronic organic pathologic conditions characterized by abdominal pain and distention, flatulence, and the passage of loose, watery stools. Once correct diagnosis is established, introduction of a lactose-free dietary regime relieves symptoms in most patients... who remain largely unaware of the relationship between food intake and symptoms." [Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 1999 Apr, 28:3]

Ovarian Cancer

Yeast / Candida Infection

Flatulence