Editing Flatulence (section)

===Pain and bloating===
{{Main|Abdominal distension|Bloating}}
While not affecting the production of the gases themselves, [[surfactants]] (agents that lower [[surface tension]]) can reduce the disagreeable sensations associated with flatulence, by aiding the dissolution of the gases into liquid and solid faecal matter.<ref name="brecevic">{{cite journal |vauthors=Brecević L, Bosan-Kilibarda I, Strajnar F |title=Mechanism of antifoaming action of simethicone |journal=[[Journal of Applied Toxicology]] |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=207–11 |year=1994 |pmid=8083482 |doi=10.1002/jat.2550140311|s2cid=7453218 }}
</ref> Preparations containing [[simethicone]] reportedly operate by promoting the coalescence of smaller bubbles into larger ones more easily passed from the body, either by [[burp]]ing or flatulence. Such preparations do not decrease the total amount of gas generated in or passed from the colon, but make the bubbles larger and thereby allowing them to be passed more easily.<ref name="brecevic" />

Other drugs including [[prokinetics]], [[lubiprostone]], antibiotics and probiotics are also used to treat bloating in patients with functional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, and there is some evidence that these measures may reduce symptoms.<ref name="Schmulson 2011">{{cite journal |last=Schmulson |first=M |author2=Chang, L |title=Review article: the treatment of functional abdominal bloating and distension |journal=Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics |date=May 2011 |volume=33 |issue=10 |pages=1071–86 |pmid=21488913|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04637.x|s2cid=20718176 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

A flexible tube, inserted into the [[rectum]], can be used to collect intestinal gas in a flatus bag. This method is occasionally needed in a hospital setting, when the patient is unable to pass gas normally.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flatus tube|url=http://www.gastrotraining.com/product-information/colorectal/flatus-tube|website=Gastro Training|access-date=3 April 2016}}</ref>