The 2 Most Important Things Your Farts Reveal About Your Health, According to GI Docs

Erica Sweeney
·5 min read
182

Woman having gas pain while farting

Even though it can be embarrassing and the subject of juvenile jokes, farting is a normal part of the digestive system. It's how you release excess gas from your gastrointestinal tract—a necessary part of being a living, functioning person! But, if you’re noticing that you’re a little gassier from one day to the next, there could be a few reasons why.

Most people produce about half a liter to a liter of gas every day, says Dr. Christine Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic. That can equate to 10 to 20 farts a day, but she says there’s no set number of times you should pass gas in a day.

Passing gas, also known as flatulence, happens when you swallow extra air from eating, talking, drinking, sleeping, chewing gum or laughing, according to Cleveland Clinic. What you eat can cause excess gas too. So can a slower-moving digestive system—when food sits in your GI tract for longer.

Gas buildup often causes bloating and abdominal discomfort. That’s why farting is so important—it releases the gas and gives you some relief. It’s also why passing gas several times a day is normal, explains Dr. Kenneth Josovitz, MD, a gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Woodbridge, Virginia. “Most people who think they’re passing excessive gas fall into the normal range.”

Fortunately, passing gas is rarely a serious medical condition, Dr. Josovitz says. With that in mind, here's what farting can reveal about your health.

2 Important Things Excess Gas Can Reveal About Your Health

If you feel like you fart a lot, what could be the reason behind it? It likely has to do with your diet, as what you eat and drink are the biggest contributors to flatulence, says Dr. Jeffrey Raskin, MD, a gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Medical Associates, a division of Allied Digestive Health, in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Related: Is It Normal to Get Sharp Pains in Your Stomach? Here’s What GI Docs Say

Some foods are harder to digest than others, which can make you fart, he explains. These include dairy products, starches like wheat or potatoes, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, high-sulfur items like onions and garlic, and sugar alcohols, including sorbitol, xylitol and erythritol, often found in ultra-processed foods, according to Cleveland Clinic.

High-fiber foods, like beans, whole grains and vegetables, help keep your digestive system regular but also increase the likelihood of flatulence, Dr. Josovitz adds.

Another culprit is carbonated beverages, Dr. Raskin explains. “These liquids bring more air into your digestive tract, meaning that more air will also need to leave your digestive tract.”

Another big reason for excess can be due to a food intolerance or sensitivity, Dr. Lee says. These happen when your digestive system is unable to break down foods, and it can increase gasiness, according to Cleveland Clinic. Lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance and celiac disease are especially likely to cause flatulence.

When Excess Gas Can Be a Sign of a Medical Problem

According to Dr. Lee, if you feel like you’re farting more than normal, it could be a sign of a digestive disorder, such as small bowel intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Related: The #1 Unexpected Food Associated With Constipation, According to a Gastroenterologist

With SIBO, you have excessive bacteria in the small intestines. The condition comes with chronic diarrhea and malabsorption, where your body struggles to absorb nutrients from food. People might also experience nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis and weight loss.

IBS is a group of symptoms that affect your GI tract and can range from constipation to diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas and bloating.

Pay attention to other symptoms that accompany any excess gas, like pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, rectal bleeding or skin rashes, and see your doctor if you have them, Dr. Lee adds.

When to Worry About Your Farting

Excess gas (without other symptoms) is usually only a problem when it bothers you or disrupts your lifestyle, Dr. Lee says. “That should be the trigger for one to seek medical attention for reassurance or further medical investigation.”

Related: Here's How to Tell if You're Dealing With Bloating or Belly Fat—and What to Do About Each

Other signs to call your doctor include unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, changes in your regular bowel movements, abdominal pain or blood in your stool. According to Dr. Raskin, “You should seek immediate medical attention if you’re feeling immense abdominal pain or have severe diarrhea.”

Generally, if you’re passing gas more than about 20 times a day on a regular basis, it might be a good idea to see your doctor, Dr. Josovitz explains. Also, talk to your doctor if you’ve changed your diet or made other lifestyle changes to minimize gas, and you’re still farting more than usual.

Any time something changes with your digestive system—big or small—get it checked out, especially if it becomes bothersome, Dr. Lee emphasizes. “No one knows your body better than yourself.”

How to Minimize the Effects of Farting

Gas and farting are completely normal, but there are some steps you can take to minimize the effect, such as bloating and pain, according to Cleveland Clinic:

  • Exercising at least 30 minutes three to four days a week will help gas pass more freely and discreetly and get your GI system moving.

  • Cutting back on gas-inducing cruciferous vegetables, including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, which produce more gas than other veggies.

  • Limiting (or avoiding) dairy products, especially if you have a lactose intolerance.

  • Minimize instances of constipation, which can reduce the likelihood that the bacteria that cause gas build up in your system.

  • Drinking plenty of water, which will keep your digestive system healthy and regular.

  • Discussing your medications with your doctor. Some, like pain medication, decongestants and antidepressants, might increase gas and bloating.

  • Reducing carbonated beverage intake, which can encourage more gas in your system.

Next, read about how often you should poop every day.

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