What Causes Constant Heavy Flatulence?

Posted on Sat, 30 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 30 May 2015 Answered on

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : What causes constant heavy gas?

I am a quadriplegic and take Methocarbamol 750mg 3x a day, Baclofen 20mg 2 tablets 3x a day, Simvastatin 40mg 1 x a day, Super B Complex 1x a day, Multi - vitamin 1x a day, Fish Oil 1200mg 2 x a day, Cranberry 4200mg 2 x a day, Levemir Insulin Injection 15 units 1 x a day.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following causes to constant heavy gas

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

1. I am sorry to know that you are quadriplegic.

2. With regards to your symptoms of having constant heavy gas, I can say that most probable causes include:
- being quadriplegic: you cannot have a normal physical activity; this is making your bowels lazy; I believe you are also having constipation problems which are very common in such cases. This explains partially having constant gas.
- another possible causes include the medications you are taking such as simvastatin and fish oil
- pancreas and gallbladder problems. Further abdominal ultrasound and pancreas/liver function tests are advised to rule them out.
- indigestion is also a possible cause to exclude

You can discuss with your caring doctor and hopefully you'll find the right cause and get proper treatment.

3. For the moment, I advise to:
- drink plenty of water
- avoid foods that would cause excessive gas: cauliflower, broccoli, beans, banana, etc.
- avoid carbonated drinks
- avoid using a straw when drinking
- take simethicone to get relief from gas

Hope it was of help!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar