Treating flatulence. About flatulence Flatulence is passing gas from the digestive system out of the back passage. Why it happens When you swallow food, water or saliva, you also swallow small amounts of air, which collects in the digestive system. When to see your GP There are no medical guidelines defining the normal frequency or volume of flatulence. You should also visit your GP if you experience additional symptoms, such as: persistent abdominal pain and bloating recurring episodes of diarrhoea or constipation unexplained weight loss bowel incontinence blood in your stools faeces signs of an infection, such as a high temperature, vomiting, chills, joint pain and muscle pain These symptoms could be an indicator of a more serious health problem and may require investigation, such as a blood or stool test to look for an infection.
Controlling the problem Excessive flatulence can usually be controlled by making changes to your diet and lifestyle, such as: avoiding foods known to cause flatulence eating smaller and more frequent meals eating and drinking slowly exercising regularly There are also some over-the-counter medications that can help if your flatulence is troublesome, such as charcoal tablets or simethicone.
Causes of flatulence There are several natural causes of flatulence. Swallowing air It's perfectly normal to swallow air while breathing and eating. Excess air can be swallowed by: chewing gum smoking sucking on pen tops or hard sweets having loose-fitting dentures not chewing food slowly and thoroughly — swallowing large pieces of food causes you to swallow more air Hot and fizzy drinks also increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your stomach, although this is more likely to cause belching rather than flatulence.
Food and drink Some carbohydrates in food can't be digested and absorbed by the intestines. Foods containing a high amount of unabsorbable carbohydrates include: beans broccoli cabbage cauliflower artichokes raisins pulses lentils onions prunes apples Brussels sprouts Foods containing a lot of unrefined cereal fibre, such as bran, can also sometimes cause problems with wind and bloating. Health conditions Certain health conditions can cause symptoms of flatulence, including: indigestion constipation irritable bowel syndrome IBS — a common digestive condition, which can cause stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation coeliac disease — an intolerance to a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye and barley lactose intolerance — where the body is unable to break down lactose a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products and can't absorb it into the blood gastroenteritis — a stomach and bowel infection malabsorption — where the intestines are unable to absorb nutrients properly giardiasis — an infection of the digestive system caused by tiny parasites Medicine Flatulence, often caused by indigestion , is a possible side effect of many types of medicine, including: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen some laxatives antifungal medicines statins varenicline Champix — used to help people stop smoking.
Treating flatulence Excessive flatulence can usually be treated by making changes to your diet and lifestyle. Several over-the-counter treatments are also available if your flatulence is becoming a problem. Self care advice Diet You should try to avoid eating foods high in unabsorbable carbohydrates. Certain processed foods should also be avoided as they can contain ingredients that cause flatulence, including: any foods with artifical sweeteners sugar-free sweets or chewing gum fizzy drinks However, it's still important to eat a healthy balanced diet , including at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
These include: potatoes rice lettuce bananas grapes citrus fruits, such as oranges yoghurt It's important to note that people react differently to certain foods, so some foods listed above may still cause flatulence. Swallowing air When eating, make sure you chew food slowly to reduce the amount of air you swallow. Exercise Getting plenty of exercise can help improve the functioning of your digestive system and bowel.
Medications and other remedies There are several over-the-counter remedies that can help treat the symptoms of flatulence, some of which are described below.
Charcoal tablets Charcoal tablets are a type of medication available over the counter from pharmacists. Dietary supplements Alpha-galactosidase is a dietary supplement that may help improve the digestion of carbohydrates and reduce symptoms of flatulence.
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Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Call it passing gas, breaking wind, or farting—most healthy people do it between eight and 14 times a day, although up to 25 times a day can be normal.
If you fart more than the typical person, you may wonder what's going on in your digestive tract and whether your gas is a symptom of a more serious health problem.
This article covers several reasons you may be having excessive gas. It also discusses what you can do to reduce gas and bloating, and when to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. If you think you're passing more gas than normal, your doctor may ask you to count how many times you pass gas daily.
They may also recommend that you start a food and drink journal to see if the gas is related to your diet. Be sure to write down any other symptoms you might be having, such as:. It's normal to have these symptoms after you eat, but you should really take note if you are having them often or if they are getting in the way of your daily activities.
The smell is a result of the gasses made in your small intestine and colon during digestion. This mainly depends on the food you eat.
Some food items may cause your gas to smell worse than others. For example, animal proteins, like eggs and meat, can cause foul-smelling gas. Soluble fiber, like that found in fruits and vegetables, can cause gas too, but it won't smell as bad. A foul smell doesn't mean anything by itself, but it can be quite embarrassing when it happens around other people. It's normal to fart up to 25 times per day. It's also normal to have gas symptoms after you eat, like burping, bloating, or a swollen tummy.
You should contact your doctor if you are having these symptoms more often or if they are bothering you. All it takes are a few changes to your diet and lifestyle. Be especially sure to see your doctor if your excessive flatulence is accompanied by:. Yoga aids in relaxation throughout the entire body. Relaxing your body, and especially your bowels and intestines, can help you to pass gas.
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What you eat and drink can significantly affect bloating and other digestive issues. Products such as Beano, particularly the liquid form, may decrease the gas produced during the breakdown of certain types of beans.
Bloating is a sensation of having a full stomach. Distension is a visible or measurable increase in abdominal size. People often describe abdominal symptoms as bloating, especially if those symptoms don't seem to be relieved by belching, passing gas or having a bowel movement. The exact connection between intestinal gas and bloating is not fully understood. Many people with bloating symptoms don't have any more gas in the intestine than do other people.
Many people, particularly those with irritable bowel syndrome or anxiety, may have a greater sensitivity to abdominal symptoms and intestinal gas, rather than an excess amount. Nonetheless, bloating may be relieved by the behavioral changes that reduce belching, or the dietary changes that reduce flatus. Excessive belching, passing gas and bloating often resolve on their own or with simple changes.
If these are the only symptoms you have, they rarely represent any serious underlying condition. Consult your doctor if your symptoms don't improve with simple changes, particularly if you also notice:.
These signs and symptoms could signal an underlying digestive condition. Intestinal symptoms can be embarrassing — but don't let embarrassment keep you from seeking help. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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