Farting All the Time? Here's What It Really Says About Your Health. 98% Seriously!

People tend to pass gas more than two dozen times a day, usually without even realizing it. But you might notice it when you’re farting a lot more than usual, and it may make you wonder if something is going on with your health.         

While being gassy can be embarrassing, it’s actually a normal part of digestion, says Dr. Pornchai Leelasinjaroen, MD, a gastroenterologist at Gastro Health in Kennewick, Washington, who goes by Dr. Lee. “Everyone passes gas.” Think of your digestive system as a long, winding pipe, Dr. Lee explains. “Food and liquids go in, and waste comes out as urine, stool and gas.”

Gas forms when bacteria in your gut break down and ferment food, particularly fiber, in the colon, he says. Farting, or flatulence, is how you get that gas out of your body. “Releasing that gas is simply the body’s way of relieving pressure,” Dr. Lee says. “If gas didn’t escape, it would build up in the digestive tract and cause uncomfortable bloating and pressure.”

There isn’t a specific normal number of times someone farts each day, he adds. However, a recent study found that healthy adults may pass gas an average of 32 times a day. What’s most important is to know what’s normal for you, as everyone has a gassy baseline. Dr. Lee says, “Many people pass small amounts of gas throughout the day without noticing it, and some gas may pass during bowel movements.” But if you seem to be farting all the time, here’s what it could signal about your health.

What Causes Gas?

Gas is actually a sign of a healthy gastrointestinal tract, demonstrating that your gut bacteria, or microbiome, are working as they should, says Dr. Brintha Vasagar, MD, a family physician based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

When you pass gas, it’s a combination of air that you swallow while eating or talking, and gas produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates by the bacteria in your colon, says Dr. Itishree Trivedi, a gastroenterologist and associate professor at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Fiber-rich foods, beans or dairy may be more likely to cause gas, Dr. Lee adds. How quickly or slowly food moves through your digestive tract can also affect how much gas you produce—gas is a natural byproduct of the digestive process. “This intestinal gas can be passed by belching or farting,” Dr. Trivedi says. “It can cause bloating and abdominal discomfort in some of us, even when it is in normal amounts.”

What It Can Mean if You’re Farting More Than Usual

“As long as it isn’t causing pain, severe bloating or interfering with daily life, [farting more than usual] isn't typically something to worry about,” Dr. Lee says. However, if you notice extreme changes in the frequency or smell of your gas or if it’s causing discomfort, it could mean something in your digestive system has shifted, he says. For instance, maybe you’re eating more fiber, swallowing more air while eating or experiencing gut microbiome changes, slower digestion or food intolerances.

When you have extra gas and haven’t changed your diet, it may be a sign of lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease, Dr. Vasagar says. Constipation can increase gas, and acid reflux and even anxiety disorder can also predispose someone to swallow large amounts of air, Dr. Trivedi adds.

“More than ‘how much’ gas is abnormal, the question to ask is what problems intestinal gas can create,” Dr. Trivedi says. “Intestinal gas, even in normal amounts, can cause bloating and even visible abdominal distention in some of us.”

When To Worry About How Much You’re Farting

If you notice changes from your "normal," talk to your doctor, Dr. Vasagar says. You should especially see your doctor if you also have new or worsening gut pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits, blood in your stool or weight loss, Dr. Trivedi adds.

“Gas that significantly interferes with daily life or comfort should also be evaluated by a healthcare professional,” Dr. Lee warns. Your doctor will do a physical exam and discuss your symptoms, and then possibly do a blood or stool test, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

How To Treat Excess Gas

Treating excess flatulence depends on the cause, according to Dr. Trivedi. It may involve diet or lifestyle changes, antibiotics or even gut-directed psychotherapy to change air-swallowing behaviors.

You might need to identify and adjust foods that trigger gas, manage constipation, improve gut motility, eat more slowly or address food intolerances, Dr. Lee says. Over-the-counter products such as simethicone (Gas-X), charcoal tablets and alpha-d-galactosidase (Beano) may be helpful for some, but not everyone, Dr. Trivedi says.

How To Minimize Gas

-When your doctor has ruled out a medical problem, there are several ways to reduce gas, including:

-Eating slowly and avoiding swallowing excess air

-Cutting back on carbonated beverages, gum, or foods and drinks with artificial sweeteners

-Staying physically active helps move gas through the digestive tract

-Drinking plenty of water

-Avoiding foods and drinks that trigger excess gas for you

While fiber-rich foods, like beans, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, may cause gas, it’s important to keep them in your diet to keep your digestive system healthy, Dr. Vasagar says. The bottom line, according to Dr. Lee? “Gas itself isn’t necessarily a problem. In fact, it can mean your gut bacteria are actively fermenting fiber, which is part of a healthy digestive process.”

-Erica Sweeney

Sources:

Pornchai Leelasinjaroen, MD, a gastroenterologist at Gastro Health in Kennewick, Washington, who goes by Dr. Lee

Dr. Brintha Vasagar, MD, a family physician based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Itishree Trivedi, MD, a gastroenterologist and associate professor at the University of Illinois Chicago

Smart underwear: A novel wearable for long-term monitoring of gut microbial gas production via flatus, Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X

Flatulence (Farting), Cleveland Clinic

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