Symptoms of flatulence include bloating, upper abdominal discomfort, abnormal gas evacuation, feeling of fullness, and heartburn. Flatulence may be caused by gas or food.
1. Bloating: Gas or food is present in large quantities in the stomach, resulting in increased intra-stomach pressure, stomach enlargement and symptoms of bloating.
2. Upper Abdominal Discomfort: A large amount of gas or food is stored in the stomach, resulting in an abnormal expansion of the stomach volume as well as an abnormally high intragastric pressure, which can lead to symptoms of upper abdominal discomfort.
3. Abnormal venting: A large amount of gas or food collects in the stomach and cannot be discharged downward, indicating abnormal venting, which prevents the gas from being discharged smoothly.
4. Feeling of fullness: As a large amount of gas or food remains in the stomach, it cannot be pushed downward. Then the gas or food will stimulate the nerves and produce a feeling of fullness.
5. Heartburn: Flatulence can be expelled not only downward but also upward. When the gas is pushed upward, the cardia opens and the gas or food may be pushed upward with stomach acid, damaging the cardia and esophagus and causing heartburn.
When symptoms are severe, patients should seek medical attention and treatment as prescribed by the doctor.