Causes of gas and frequent urination

If you have an urge to pass urine more often than usual, you might be dealing with the problem of frequent urination. Frequent urination may occur day and night, or more noticeable only during the night. Frequent urination can affect your sleep, general well-being, and work.

In the digestive system, gas is a part of the normal process of digestion. It’s normal to get rid of excess gas through burp or flatus (passing gas). Sometimes, in the digestive system, the gas is trapped or not moving well that develops gas pain in the abdomen area. An increase in gas pain or gas may result from eating foods that produce more gas. Usually, simple changes in eating habits can reduce bothersome gas. Certain digestive system disorders, such as celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome, may cause an increase in gas or gas pain.

Causes of frequent urination

Frequent urination can be due to diseases affecting the urinary tract. The urinary tract consists of kidneys, ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder), bladder, and urethra (the tube through which urine flows from the bladder to the outside of the body).

Several reasons may link to frequent urination, such as:

• Infection, injury, disease or irritation of the bladder
• Changes in nerves, or muscles other tissues affecting bladder function
• Some cancer treatments
• Diseases that increase urine production
• Beverages that increase urine production

Some other diseases or conditions of frequent urination include:

• Anterior prolapse
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Anxiety disorders
• Bladder stones
• Diabetes insipidus
• Change in kidney function
• Diuretics
• Excess consumption of fluids, alcohol or caffeine
• Kidney infection
• Interstitial cystitis
• Overactive bladder
• Pregnancy
• Radiation
• Prostatitis
• Diabetes
• Urinary tract infection
• Urethral stricture
• Urinary incontinence
• Vaginitis

Depending on the causes of the frequent urination, you may encounter other urinary problems, like:

• Discomfort or pain during urination
• Difficulty in urination
• Lack of bladder control
• Abnormal urine colour

Causes of gas

Gas in the digestive tract (the stomach, oesophagus, small intestine, and large intestine) comes from the following two sources:

• A normal breakdown of undigested foods by harmless bacteria naturally present in the colon (large intestine)
• By aerophagia (air swallowing) is a common cause of stomach gas. It is normal to swallow small amounts of air when drinking and eating. However, drinking or eating rapidly, chewing gum, smoking, or wearing loose dentures can cause you to take in more air.

Belching, or burping, is how most of the air you swallow, containing nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, leaves the stomach. The remaining gas enters the small intestine, where it is partially absorbed. A small amount enters the colon for release through the rectum.

The body does not digest or absorb all of the carbohydrates (sugar, starch, and fibre found in many foods) in the small intestine due to a lack of certain enzymes. This undigested food then travels from the small intestine to the large intestine. In the large bowel, normal, harmless bacteria break down food and produce carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane (in few people). Eventually, these gases exit through the rectum.

Foods that produce excessive gas in one person may not cause symptoms in another. Some bacteria found in the colon can destroy the hydrogen produced by other bacteria. The balance between the two types of bacteria can explain why some people have more gas than others. In addition, most people with symptomatic gases do not have more gas than others but are more sensitive to the symptoms caused by that gas.

Food that causes gas

Most carbohydrate food can cause more gas as compared to fats and proteins.

Sugars

Sugar such as raffinose, stachyose, lactose, sorbitol, and fructose can cause gas.

• Raffinose and stachyose are indigestible oligosaccharides found in large quantities in legumes, especially beans. Smaller amounts of this complex sugar are found in cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts, other vegetables and whole grains.
• Lactose is the natural sugar in milk, found in dairy products like cheese and ice cream, and processed foods like bread, salad dressings, and cereal. As people get older, their enzyme levels also decrease. As a result, there may be increased gas levels over time after people eat foods containing lactose.
• Fructose naturally found in onions, pear, artichokes, and wheat. It is used as a sweetener in some fruit drinks and soft drinks.
• Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, plums, and some liquid forms of medicines. Excessive amounts can cause diarrhoea. It is also used as an artificial sweetener in many healthy foods, sugar-free candies, and chewing gums.

Starches

Most starches such as corn, noodles, potatoes, and wheat produce gas. These starches are broken down in the colon (large intestine).

Fibre

Food also contains soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre easily dissolves in water and forms a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. Mainly found in oat bran, peas, beans, and most fruits. Insoluble fibre produces little gas, such as wheat bran and vegetables.

When to see a doctor for frequent urination

If you are experiencing frequent urination more than usual or if you have the following conditions, then make an appointment with your doctor:

• If there is no obvious cause, such as drinking more alcohol, total fluids, or caffeine
• If the problem disturb your everyday activities and sleep
• If you have some other problems related to urinary or worrisome symptoms

Seek immediate medical help if you have frequent urination along with any of these symptoms:

• Red or dark brown urine
• Pain during urination
• Blood in the urine
• Difficulty in urination
• Loss of bladder control
• Pain in the abdomen
• Fever

Urinary tract disorders may cause the above symptoms, along with other serious diseases. Contact your doctor to find out the causes of frequent urination and how you can treat it.

When to see a doctor for excessive gas formation

Talk to your doctor if your gas is so persistent or severe and impacts your daily life. Gas accompanied by other symptoms may indicate more serious conditions. Seek doctor’s help if you experience any symptoms:

• Changes in bowel movements
• Bloody stools
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Persistent or recurrent nausea or vomiting

Seek immediate attention if you experience:

• Chest pain
• Prolonged abdominal pain

Outlook

After knowing what causes frequent urination and excessive gas in your body, you must take careful actions to limit these incidences. However, if frequent urination and excessive gas are affecting your daily life, seek medical attention. You can book an appointment with our consultants, or you can reach us at +91 124 4882248.