Gas accumulation in the intestines is a natural process associated with digestion. On average, a person releases 0.5 to 1.5 liters of gas per day. Unfortunately, it is still very unpredictable – the need to “honk” can arise at the most inopportune moment, for example, at work in the office, in the company of friends or even on a first date. It is unlikely that anyone would want to put themselves in an awkward position and spoil the air in such a situation. But what happens to the body when a person holds in gases?
Gas in the intestines is a by-product of digestion. Photo source: livescience.com
Why Gas Forms in the Intestines
From the moment food enters our mouth, the body begins to break it down and digest it. Bacteria in the intestines play an important role in this. They break down food into useful substances that can be absorbed by the intestines and enter the bloodstream. A by-product of this is the formation of gases.
The intensity of gas secretion by the stomach and intestines depends on various factors. In some cases, gases are produced too intensively, which leads to bloating (flatulence). For example, this can happen due to the consumption of certain foods, such as legumes, cabbage, fast carbohydrates. Flatulence can also be caused by the consumption of certain drinks, such as beer, kvass, Coca-Cola or other sweet carbonated drinks.
Bloating may be a symptom of a disease. Photo source: hibiny.ru
Sometimes bloating can be a symptom of health problems. For example, excessive gas formation occurs with diseases such as dysbacteriosis, cholecystitis, gastritis, duodenitis, pancreatitis, colitis, etc.
But why does gas occur at all? The thing is that not all substances from food can be quickly absorbed by our body. For example, in people with lactose intolerance, the small intestine does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase. Therefore, lactose, that is, milk sugar, is not processed and begins to ferment. This causes diarrhea and excess gas formation.
But even with normal digestion of food, gas formation cannot be avoided. For example, according to the American Society for Microbiology, hydrogen sulfide is produced by bacteria that break down proteins in the intestine. In the large intestine, carbohydrates are broken down, resulting in the formation of hydrogen and methane. In addition, the intestine may contain carbon dioxide and oxygen, which enter it along with food.
Gases are formed even during normal digestion. Photo source: dzen.ru
What happens when a person holds in gases
The body naturally releases gases that have accumulated in the intestines through the anus. Before escaping, the gas enters the anal sphincter, which signals us that it is time to get rid of it. By the way, the external anal sphincter is the only part of the digestive process that we can control almost always.
If the moment is not right to release gases, we squeeze the sphincter harder. As a result, they retreat back into the colon. What happens next? Usually, gases that have accumulated during the day find an outlet when a person goes to the toilet or when the body relaxes during sleep at night. In this case, the body itself pushes the gases out.
Is it dangerous for your health to hold in gas?
>
Holding in gas primarily causes discomfort – bloating, intestinal colic, and even nausea. In addition, some of the gas can be absorbed into the intestinal mucosa and enter the bloodstream. From there, it enters the lungs and is exhaled with carbon dioxide. This can lead to bad breath. But these are not the most dangerous consequences that can occur.
Holding in gas can cause pain in the intestines and lead to inflammation. Photo source: dzen.ru
Constant holding in can harm the intestines over time.
Increased pressure in the rectum and colon causes small sacs or balls called diverticula to form in the mucous membrane. This leads to chronic inflammation and pain. Diverticula can be extremely dangerous to your health if they become infected.
Also, don't forget that at some point, excessive pressure on the sphincter can lead to uncontrolled gas release, and you may fail to fight them at the most inopportune moment. Of course, this doesn't mean that you should immediately fart in the air as soon as the urge appears. However, doctors recommend finding time to visit the restroom, even if you are very busy at the moment. The main thing is not to linger there for a long time, as this is also harmful to your health.
Be sure to visit our Zen and Telegram channels, here you will find the most interesting news from the world of science and the latest discoveries!
If you ignore these recommendations, you risk not only getting serious health problems, but also putting yourself in an awkward position. Finally, we note that you can also cause serious harm to your health if you do not go to the toilet in time. You can find out more about this at the link.