| Evaluation of an extremely flatulent patient: case report and proposed diagnostic and therapeutic approach. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 9820415 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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We recently encountered a patient with severe flatulence who previously had been subjected to innumerable diagnostic tests and ineffective therapies based on the belief that his rectal gas was produced in the colon. Analysis of three flatus samples demonstrated that nitrogen (N2) was the predominant flatus gas whereas the three gases produced in the gut (CO2, H2 [hydrogen], and CH4 [methane]) comprised <16% of rectal gas. This result plus a series of other diagnostic tests clearly indicated that the patient's flatus was derived almost entirely from swallowed air. Based on this case, the present report summarizes available data on excessive flatulence and suggests a rational approach to the patient complaining of this problem. Particular emphasis is placed upon a sequential strategy consisting of: 1) a count of flatus passages to determine if the subject truly is abnormal (normal: <20 passages/day); 2) an analysis of flatus to determine if the flatus originates from swallowed air (predominantly nitrogen) or intraluminal production (predominantly CO2, H2, and CH4); and 3) treatment based upon the origin of the rectal gas. |
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Authors:
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M D Levitt; J Furne; M R Aeolus; F L Suarez |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Case Reports; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The American journal of gastroenterology Volume: 93 ISSN: 0002-9270 ISO Abbreviation: Am. J. Gastroenterol. Publication Date: 1998 Nov |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1998-12-09 Completed Date: 1998-12-09 Revised Date: 2007-11-14 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0421030 Medline TA: Am J Gastroenterol Country: UNITED STATES |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 2276-81 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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The Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minnesota 55417, USA. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Carbon Dioxide / analysis Flatulence / diagnosis*, therapy* Humans Hydrogen / analysis Male Methane / analysis Nitrogen / analysis |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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R01-DK-13093/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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124-38-9/Carbon Dioxide; 1333-74-0/Hydrogen; 74-82-8/Methane; 7727-37-9/Nitrogen |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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