If additional signs and symptoms are detected, the doctor may refer the patient to a specialist for an endoscopy - for an internal examination. An endoscope is a long, thin tube with a camera and light at the end.
Foods that cause flatulence are generally those high in certain polysaccharides, particularly oligosaccharides, such as inulin. Inulin belongs to a class of dietary fibers known as fructans. Examples include:
Artichokes
Beans
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cashews
Cauliflower
Dairy products
Garlic
Leeks
Lentils
Oats
Onions
Radishes
Rutabagas
Scallions
Sweet potatoes
Turnips
Wheat
Yeast (in baked products, such as bread).
Beans - gas builds up inside the gut. Complex carbohydrates in beans are very difficult for humans to digest. They are digested by microorganisms in the gut - gut flora - methane-producing archaea. When the complex carbohydrates reach the lower intestine, bacteria feed on them, during which they produce gas.
Lactose intolerance - when lactose-containing foods, such as milk are consumed, the bacteria feed on the lactose and produce excessive amounts of gas.
Celiac disease - intolerance to gluten, a protein found in barley, wheat and rye. People with this condition who eat foods containing gluten tend to have flatulence problems.
Artificial sweeteners - sorbitol and mannitol are found in candies, chewing-gums and sugar-free sweet foods. A considerable number of people develop either diarrhea, gas or both when they consume these substances.
Fiber supplements - if you add them too rapidly to your diet, especially the ones containing psyllium, they can cause flatulence.
Carbonated drinks - Fizzy drinks and beer may cause a build-up of gas in the intestinal tract.
Some health conditions - sometimes, a more serious chronic condition may be the cause of flatulence. Examples include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis.
Antibiotics - these medications can upset the normal intestinal flora (bacterial flora) in the bowel, which can lead to flatulence.
Laxatives - people who take laxatives regularly and in excess have a high risk of developing flatulence.
Constipation - the feces themselves make it harder to expel excess gas, resulting in further accumulation and discomfort.
Gastroenteritis - an infection of the bowel/stomach. In many cases, there is s a lot of gas build-up.