Why Do I Fart So Much? Understanding Excessive Flatulence

Farting (quiet honestly we cannot believewe are actually discussing this) or flatulence is a completely natural bodily process. In reality, the average person breaks wind anywhere from 13 to 21 times per day. But if you're farting more often than is really convenient for you, you might wonder what's causing it and whether it's a symptom of a larger problem. Gas can certainly beembarrassing and uncomfortable, but in almost all cases, it's not cause for serious medical concern. Many factors, from what you eat to the state of your digestive health, can contribute to increased gas production. Getting to the bottom of what's behind these “gassers”can help you keep it under control, or even prevent it.

1. What Causes Frequent Farting?

Diet is one of the most frequent causes of extreme flatulence. There are some foods that are known to create gas when they're broken down in the digestive system. Beans, lentils, broccoli, cabbage, onions and carbonated beverages all are notoriously guilty. These are food high in fiber or complex carbohydrates that the body cannot break down effectively. When the undigested fragments make it to the colon, bacteria in your gut ferment the material, generating gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane, thereby boosting flatulence.

Lactose intolerance is another dietary factor. Too many people have too little of that enzyme, known as lactase, to digest dairy products. When lactose digests poorly, it ferments in the gut, leading to the formation of extra gas. If you experience bloating and gas after consuming milk, cheese or ice cream, then it might be lactose intolerance.

Drinking too much air, known as aerophagia, can also lead to persistent farting. This happens to you if you routinely eat too fast, chew gum frequently, apply carbonated drinks, or smoke. You can even swallow air while you're talking or eating, and that eventually needs to come up.

Digestive problems also lead to too much of passing gas. What we call IBS, SIBO, celiac, and gastroenteritis are all conditions in which normal digestion is interfered with, resulting in a higher amount of gas production.

2. How to Stop Farting So Much?

There are some dietary changes that you can make if your excessive flatulence is due to what you're eating. Writing down what you eat and then how much gas you develop is another way to help you determine which foods cause you gas. One way your digestive system might acclimate is if you slowly cut back on high-fiber or gas-producing foods and reintroduce them in smaller amounts. Lactose-free dairy or lactase pills punctured before consumption will help reduce the discomfort for those with lactose intolerance.

Chewing slowly and paying attention to what you eat can result in your swallowing less air, reducing gas. Eliminating carbonated beverages and gum-chewing can also be helpful. On top of all that, exercise stimulates digestion and moves gas through the intestines faster to reduce bloating and flatulence.

Consuming probiotics, which are in yogurt, kefir and supplements, may also help keep your gut microbiome in better balance between good and bad bacteria. This may also aid in digestion and eliminate excessive gas. Peppermint tea or even ginger decrease gas as well.

3. When Should You See a Doctor?

Some gas is normal, but if you have chronic or very smelly gas, even if it's with a constellation of other gut symptoms, an investigation with a healthcare provider might be in order. Chronic bloating, not to mention sharp, abdominal pain, blood in your stool or changes to your stool, could be a sign of a more serious digestive disorder. Medical causes of bloating conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or food intolerance will need a professional diagnosis and medical treatment.

In short, everyone gets gassy, it's a normal byproduct of digestion, and even if you're too mortified to discuss gas, it's good to know what the different culprits are so you can eventually find relief or at least be slightly more at ease. But if the symptom is persistent or gets worse, a visit to the doctor will likely verify that there's nothing else to worry about.