Editing Flatulence (section)

===Odor===

'''Bismuth'''

The [[odor]] created by flatulence is commonly treated with [[bismuth subgallate]], available under the name Devrom. Bismuth subgallate is commonly used by individuals who have had [[ostomy]] surgery, [[bariatric surgery]], [[faecal incontinence]] and [[irritable bowel syndrome]].<ref>{{cite journal| author=Turnbull G| url=https://www.o-wm.com/content/the-issue-oral-medications-and-a-fecal-ostomy| title=The Ostomy Files:The Issue of Oral Medications and a Fecal Ostomy| journal=[[Ostomy Wound Management]]| year=2005| volume=51| pages=14–16| access-date=September 22, 2019| archive-date=September 22, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922113523/https://www.o-wm.com/content/the-issue-oral-medications-and-a-fecal-ostomy| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_Colostomy.asp |title=Colostomy Guide |date=2006-01-04 |access-date=2007-09-10 |archive-date=September 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922170051/http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_Colostomy.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Bismuth subsalicylate]] is a compound that binds hydrogen sulfide, and one study reported a dose of 524&nbsp;mg four times a day for 3–7 days bismuth subsalicylate yielded a >95% reduction in faecal hydrogen sulfide release in both humans and rats.<ref name="SuarezFurne1998">{{cite journal|last1=Suarez|first1=F.L.|last2=Furne|first2=J.K.|last3=Springfield|first3=J.R.|last4=Levitt|first4=M.D.|title=Bismuth subsalicylate markedly decreases hydrogen sulfide release in the human colon|journal=Gastroenterology|volume=114|issue=5|year=1998|pages=923–29|pmid=9558280|doi=10.1016/S0016-5085(98)81700-9}}</ref>
Another bismuth compound, bismuth subnitrate was also shown to bind to hydrogen sulfide.<ref name="Levitt 2002">{{cite journal |last=Levitt |first=MD |author2=Springfield, J |author3=Furne, J |author4=Koenig, T |author5= Suarez, FL |title=Physiology of sulfide in the rat colon: use of bismuth to assess colonic sulfide production |journal=[[Journal of Applied Physiology]] |date=April 2002 |volume=92 |issue=4 |pages=1655–60 |pmid=11896034 |doi=10.1152/japplphysiol.00907.2001|s2cid=37217656 }}</ref> Another study showed that bismuth acted synergistically with various antibiotics to inhibit sulfate-reducing gut bacteria and sulfide production.<ref name="Ohge 2003">{{cite journal |last=Ohge |first=H |author2=Furne, JK |author3=Springfield, J |author4=Sueda, T |author5=Madoff, RD |author6= Levitt, MD |title=The effect of antibiotics and bismuth on fecal hydrogen sulfide and sulfate-reducing bacteria in the rat |journal=[[FEMS Microbiology Letters]] |date=November 7, 2003 |volume=228 |issue=1 |pages=137–42|pmid=14612249 |doi=10.1016/s0378-1097(03)00748-1|doi-access=free }}</ref> Some authors proposed a theory that hydrogen sulfide was involved in the development of [[ulcerative colitis]] and that bismuth might be helpful in the management of this condition.<ref name="Furne 2000">{{cite journal |last=Furne |first=JK |author2=Suarez, FL |author3=Ewing, SL |author4=Springfield, J |author5= Levitt, MD |title=Binding of hydrogen sulfide by bismuth does not prevent dextran sulfate-induced colitis in rats |journal=[[Digestive Diseases and Sciences]] |date=July 2000 |volume=45 |issue=7 |pages=1439–43 |pmid=10961726|doi=10.1023/A:1005580709390 |s2cid=740767 }}</ref> However, bismuth administration in rats did not prevent them from developing ulcerative colitis despite reduced hydrogen sulfide production.<ref name="Furne 2000" /> Also, evidence suggests that colonic hydrogen sulfide is largely present in bound forms, probably sulfides of iron and other metals.<ref name="Tangerman 2009" /> Rarely, serious bismuth toxicity may occur with higher doses.<ref name="Gordon 1995">{{cite journal |last=Gordon |first=MF |author2=Abrams, RI |author3=Rubin, DB |author4=Barr, WB |author5= Correa, DD |title=Bismuth subsalicylate toxicity as a cause of prolonged encephalopathy with myoclonus |journal=[[Movement Disorders (journal)|Movement Disorders]] |date=March 1995 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=220–22 |pmid=7753066 |doi=10.1002/mds.870100215|s2cid=11723220 }}</ref>

''' Activated charcoal'''

Despite being an ancient treatment for various digestive complaints, [[Activated Charcoal|activated charcoal]] did not produce reduction in both the total flatus volume nor the release of sulfur-containing gasses, and there was no reduction in abdominal symptoms (after 0.52{{nbsp}}g activated charcoal four times a day for one week).<ref name="Suarez 1999">{{cite journal |last=Suarez |first=FL |author2=Furne, J |author3=Springfield, J |author4= Levitt, MD |title=Failure of activated charcoal to reduce the release of gases produced by the colonic flora |journal=[[The American Journal of Gastroenterology]] |date=January 1999 |volume=94 |issue=1 |pages=208–12 |doi=10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.00798.x |pmid=9934757|s2cid=20729051 }}</ref> The authors suggested that saturation of charcoal binding sites during its passage through the gut was the reason for this. A further study concluded that activated charcoal (4{{nbsp}}g) does not influence gas formation in vitro or in vivo.<ref name="Potter 1985">{{cite journal |last=Potter |first=T |author2=Ellis, C |author3=Levitt, M |title=Activated charcoal: in vivo and in vitro studies of effect on gas formation |journal=[[Gastroenterology (journal)|Gastroenterology]] |date=March 1985 |volume=88 |issue=3 |pages=620–24 |pmid=3917957 |doi=10.1016/0016-5085(85)90129-5|doi-access=free }}</ref> Other authors reported that activated charcoal was effective. A study in 8 dogs concluded activated charcoal (unknown oral dose) reduced hydrogen sulfide levels by 71%. In combination with yucca schidigera, and zinc acetate, this was increased to an 86% reduction in hydrogen sulfide, although flatus volume and number was unchanged.<ref name="Giffard 2001">{{cite journal |last=Giffard |first=CJ |author2=Collins, SB |author3=Stoodley, NC |author4=Butterwick, RF |author5= Batt, RM |title=Administration of charcoal, Yucca schidigera, and zinc acetate to reduce malodorous flatulence in dogs |journal=[[Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association]] |date=March 15, 2001 |volume=218 |issue=6 |pages=892–96 |pmid=11294313 |doi=10.2460/javma.2001.218.892|doi-access=free }}</ref> An early study reported activated charcoal (unknown oral dose) prevented a large increase in the number of flatus events and increased breath hydrogen concentrations that normally occur following a gas-producing meal.<ref name="Hall 1981">{{cite journal |last=Hall RG |first=Jr |author2=Thompson, H |author3=Strother, A |title=Effects of orally administered activated charcoal on intestinal gas |journal=[[The American Journal of Gastroenterology]] |date=March 1981 |volume=75 |issue=3 |pages=192–96 |pmid=7015846}}</ref>

'''Garments and external devices'''

In 1998, Chester "Buck" Weimer of [[Pueblo, Colorado]], received a patent for the first [[undergarment]] that contained a replaceable [[Activated carbon|charcoal filter]]. The undergarments are [[Hermetic seal|air-tight]] and provide a pocketed [[path of least resistance|escape hole]] in which a charcoal filter can be inserted.<ref name="weimer">{{cite web |last=Weimer |first=Chester |url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?TERM1=5593398&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&r=0&l=50&f=S&d=PALL |title=Protective underwear with malodorous flatus filter |date=1997-01-14 |access-date=2007-07-27 |archive-date=October 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007065218/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?TERM1=5593398&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&r=0&l=50&f=S&d=PALL |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2001 Weimer received the [[Ig Nobel Prize]] for Biology for his invention.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.improb.com/ig/ig-pastwinners.html#ig2001 |title=The 2001 Ig Nobel Prize Winners |access-date=June 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225074430/http://www.improb.com/ig/ig-pastwinners.html#ig2001 |archive-date=February 25, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

A similar product was released in 2002, but rather than an entire undergarment, consumers are able to purchase an insert similar to a [[pantiliner]] that contains activated charcoal.<ref>{{cite web |last= Conant |first= Brian J. |author2= Myra M. Conant |url= http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?TERM1=6313371&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&r=0&l=50&f=S&d=PALL |title= Flatulence deodorizer |date= 2001-11-06 |access-date= 2007-09-10 |archive-date= October 7, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131007072913/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?TERM1=6313371&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&r=0&l=50&f=S&d=PALL |url-status= dead }}</ref> The inventors, Myra and Brian Conant of [[Mililani, Hawaii]], still claim on their website to have discovered the undergarment product in 2002 (four years after Chester Weimer filed for a patent for his product), but state that their tests "concluded" that they should release an insert instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flat-d.com/american-inventor.html |publisher=Flat-D Innovations Inc. |title=About the Inventor |access-date=2007-09-10}}</ref>