When aerophagia is suspected, patient education and behavior modification should be undertaken rather than extensive medical evaluation and drug therapy. In the splenic flexure syndrome, swallowed air becomes trapped in the splenic flexure and may cause diffuse abdominal distention. Left upper quadrant fullness and pressure radiating to the left side of the chest may result. There is increased tympany in the extreme left lateral aspect of the upper abdomen. Relief occurs with defecation or passage of flatus.
Infantile colic is a syndrome presumably caused by crampy abdominal pain.
Colicky infants appear to pass an excessive amount of gas. Hence, the cause of this syndrome remains unclear. In flatulence, the quantity and frequency of gas passage shows great variability. As with stool frequency, persons who complain of flatulence often have a misconception of what is normal. Despite the flammable nature of the H 2 and CH 4 in flatulence, working near open flames is not hazardous.