Is Frequent Flatulence Normal?

Written by: Melody, TCM Practitioner

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), frequent flatulence is mainly linked to Spleen and Stomach dysfunction. Simply put, if you're constantly passing gas, it's usually because your tummy (Spleen and Stomach) isn't very happy.

Your Spleen and Stomach are like the body's "factories," responsible for processing the food you eat into usable nutrients. If this "factory" has a problem, food isn't digested properly, and it will ferment in your belly, producing a lot of gas, which leads to constant flatulence.

Why Does Your Spleen and Stomach Get Unhappy?

🔹 Eating too haphazardly: 

You might be consuming too many raw, cold, greasy, or spicy foods, "overburdening" your Spleen and Stomach.

🔹 Eating too quickly: 

Gobbling down food without proper chewing means it's swallowed before it can be adequately digested.

🔹Too much stress: 

A bad mood or high stress levels can also affect the function of your Spleen and Stomach.

TCM attributes the causes of frequent flatulence to the following:

🔹Spleen and Stomach Weakness (脾胃虚弱): 

When the Spleen and Stomach are weak, their transportation and transformation functions decline, causing food to stagnate in the intestines and produce gas.

🔹Improper Diet (饮食不节): 

Overconsumption of raw/cold, greasy, or spicy foods can damage the Spleen and Stomach, leading to indigestion.

🔹Emotional Imbalance (情志不畅): 

Excessive worry or suppressed anger can also affect Spleen and Stomach function.

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Easy Ways to Relieve Frequent Flatulence at Home:

🌟 Dietary Adjustments

• Light Diet: 

  Avoid greasy, raw/cold, and spicy irritating foods. These can easily damage the Spleen and Stomach, worsening indigestion.

  
  

• Small, Frequent Meals: 

  Eat smaller portions more often to reduce the burden on your digestive system.

  
  

• Eat Easily Digestible Foods: 

  Such as millet porridge, pumpkin porridge, or yam porridge, which support Spleen and Stomach digestive functions.

  
  

• Drink Yogurt: 

  The probiotics in yogurt help regulate gut flora balance and improve digestive function.

  
  

• Avoid Gas-Producing Foods:  Such as beans, onions, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, as these foods tend to produce gas and worsen flatulence.

🌟 Regular Eating Habits: 

Eat at fixed times and in consistent quantities; avoid overeating.

🌟 Chew Thoroughly: 

Chew your food completely to aid digestion.

🌟 Maintain a Relaxed Mood: 

Emotional agitation can easily affect Spleen and Stomach function, so strive to maintain a cheerful disposition.

🌟 Moderate Exercise: 

Appropriate physical activity helps promote intestinal peristalsis and improve digestive function.

🌟 Stay Warm: 

Avoid exposure to cold, as cold pathogens can easily lead to Spleen and Stomach dysfunction.

If these methods don't yield results, then you might consider TCM professional help.

How Does TCM Help Treat Frequent Flatulence?

For frequent flatulence, TCM typically employs the following treatment methods:

🌱 Herbal Medicine (药物治疗):

Based on your specific condition, herbs that invigorate the Spleen and replenish Qi, or regulate Qi and aid digestion, such as Atractylodes (白术), Poria (茯苓), and Massa Fermentata (神曲), may be chosen.

🌱 Dietary Therapy (饮食调理):

Maintain a light diet, eat less raw/cold, greasy, and spicy foods, and consume more easily digestible foods like congee and noodles.

🌱 Acupuncture (针灸):

Through methods like acupuncture, Spleen and Stomach functions are regulated.

⚠️ Specific treatment plans should be conducted under the guidance of a TCM practitioner. Do not self-medicate.

In addition to TCM, Western medicine may also diagnose and treat from the following perspectives:

• Gut Microbiome Imbalance: Symptoms can be improved by regulating the gut flora.

• Lactose Intolerance: Symptoms can be alleviated by avoiding lactose intake.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Symptoms can be improved through medication, dietary adjustments, and psychological therapy.

Frequent flatulence, though not a major illness, can affect your quality of life. TCM can help you regulate your Spleen and Stomach, so you no longer have to worry about passing gas 💨.

Important Reminder:

⚠️ While undergoing TCM treatment, you should also pay attention to dietary adjustments and lifestyle improvements. ⚠️ If accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, or bloody stools, seek medical attention promptly to rule out the possibility of organic diseases.

If you'd like to learn more about TCM wellness, or if you'd like more personalized advice for your specific situation, we recommend booking a consultation.