Flatus Health Dictionary

(Hassk.) D. Chatterjee.

Synonym: S. Chelonoides (Linn. f.) DC. (now S. Colais). S. tetragonum A. DC.

Family: .

Habitat: Throughout India, especially in the moist regions.

English: Trumpet Flower, Yellow Snake tree.

Ayurvedic: Paatalaa, Paatali, Paata- lai, Krishna-vrantaa, Madhu-duuti,

Kaama-duuti, Ativallabhaa, Taam- rapushpi, Kuberaakshi. Amoghaa, Kumbhipushpi, Ambuvaasini. Copper-red-flowered var., known as Taamrapushpi, is equated with S. suaveolens (Paatalaa) and the white- flowered one with S. chelenoides. (Paatalai).

Siddha/Tamil: Paadiri.

Action: The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the root of Paatalaa in lipid disorders; the stem bark in oedema and retention of urine.

The white-flowered var. purifies blood, increases appetite and is prescribed for vomiting, hiccough, thirst, oedema and inflammatory chest diseases.

The copper-red-flowered var. is prescribed in difficult breathing, vomiting, oedema, flatus and high fever.

Ethanolic extract of the plant showed hypoglycaemic and anticancer activity experimentally.

A decoction of S. personatum root is prescribed for asthma and cough; of the leaves in chronic dyspepsia. A decoction of the root and leaves is credited with antipyretic properties. The bark exhibited antibacterial and antitubercular properties.

A decoction of S. suaveolens roots is prescribed for intermittent and puerperal fevers, inflammatory affections of the chest. Extracts of the plant contain lapachol.

The leaves of S. chelonoides contain a flavone, stereolensin. The bark gave an iridoid glycoside; the root bark gave n-triacontanol and beta- sitosterol; the root heartwood gave la- pachol, dehydro-alpha-lapachone and dehydrotectol. Ceryl alcohol, palmitic, stearic and oleic acids were isolated from the root. Lapachol exhibited cy- totoxic activity.

Dosage: Stem bark (white-flowered var.)—3-6 g powder. (API, Vol. IV.) Root (red-flowered var.)—5-10 g powder. (API, Vol. III.) more effective. Crude extract is used for filaria.

The Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, has developed an an- tifilarial drug from the crude extract of stem. The stem bark is reported to cure filarial lymphangitis, lym- phoedema, chyluria caused by filaria- sis.

Dosage: Stem bark—1-3 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)... stereospermum personatum

A colourless, odourless, highly inflammable gas that occurs naturally in oil wells and coal mines. Methane is also produced by the decomposition of organic matter; it is one of the gases present in intestinal gas (see flatus).... methane

A common name for gas in the gastrointestinal tract, which may be expelled through the mouth (see belching) or passed through the anus (see flatus).

Babies often swallow air during feeding which, unless the baby is “winded”, can accumulate in the stomach and cause discomfort.... wind

n. the subjective experience of abdominal fullness, often (but not always) accompanied by abdominal distension. Its many causes include air swallowing (*aerophagia), abnormal intestinal gas handling or abdominal wall reflexes, increased gas production, and organ hypersensitivity. Bloating may be associated with increased belching, excessive flatus, or changes in bowel habit, particularly constipation. It tends to be aggravated by meals, fluctuates in severity throughout the day (with particular discomfort in the evening), and is relieved at night. Treatment includes the removal of exacerbating factors (such as specific dietary products), avoidance of carbonated drinks and fat-rich diets, reduction in dietary fibre, and reassurance. Drug therapy has limited efficacy, but antispasmodics, laxatives, peppermint oil, simeticone, prokinetics (such as domperidone), nonabsorbable antibiotics (rifaximin), and tricyclic antidepressants (to reduce hypersensitivity) may be tried.... bloating

n. 1. (urinary incontinence) the inappropriate involuntary passage of urine, resulting in wetting. Stress incontinence is the loss of urine on exertion (e.g. coughing and straining). It is common in women in whom the muscles of the pelvic floor are weakened after childbirth. Urodynamic stress incontinence (formerly called genuine stress incontinence) in women is due to a simultaneous rise in bladder and abdominal pressure that exceeds urethral pressure without a contraction of the detrusor muscle of the bladder. Overflow incontinence is leakage from a full bladder, which occurs most commonly in elderly men with bladder outlet obstruction or in patients with neurological conditions affecting bladder control. Urge incontinence is leakage of urine that accompanies an intense desire to pass water with failure of restraint. It is frequently caused by *detrusor instability. See also enuresis. 2. (faecal incontinence, anal incontinence) inability to control bowel movements, causing involuntary loss of faeces or flatus.... incontinence

the buttocks-up position assumed by patients undergoing anorectal examinations, now commonly performed in the left lateral position. It is useful for helping patients dispel excess flatus following colonoscopy.... knee-elbow position