Once or twice might be somewhat funny, but if you have ever experienced continuous or nonstop farting, you know that it can be downright annoying and embarrassing. Contrary to what you might think, the average person passes gas about 5-15 times each day. So for all those out there who say they never fart…you might want to listen closely. But, what if you are farting excessively – so much so that it is annoying to you and those around you. What can be done and what is your body trying to tell you?
What is excessive flatulence?
Excessive flatulence is defined as anything over twenty-three farts per day. Obviously, it may not be easy to keep track of your farts, but most people know if they are farting excessively because it becomes rather bothersome and potentially stinky!
What does the smell mean?
How your gas smells is directly related to what you have been eating and gas that is made in your small intestine and colon during digestion. It seems that animal proteins, including eggs or meat, cause foul-smelling gas, while fiber that is found in fruits and veggies may cause gas that doesn’t smell as bad.
Swallowing air does cause gas
Swallowing air can cause also cause gas. Although you do burp quite a bit of it out, some can remain in your stomach and is eventually released as gas. A number of things can cause you to swallow air including chewing gum, smoking, sucking on hard candy, eating or drinking too fast, drinking carbonated drinks, or wearing loose-fitting dentures. In addition, being anxious or overly stressed can cause you to swallow more air, which leads to more gas.
Foods and drinks that cause gas
It is probably clear to you that eating certain food can upset your stomach and cause bloating. A big culprit is cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and broccoli. In addition, some people have digestive issues when they eat a lot of carbohydrates, such as pasta and bread.
Here are more food and drinks that may cause excessive gas.
Beans and lentils
- Milk, cream, ice cream and yogurt
- Whole grain and bran
- Soy products like tofu and soy milk
- Sugar-free gum and candy – ( sweetened with sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol)
- Fruits such as apples, peaches, pears, and fruit juices
- Beer
- Vegetables – such as brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, radishes, asparagus, artichokes, onions, mushrooms, sprouts, and cucumbers
- Carbonated drinks
- Drinks containing high fructose corn syrup
Health conditions that may cause excessive flatulence
The majority of the time, excessive gas is caused by what you are eating or drinking, but it can be a sign of a health condition such as:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Lactose intolerance
- Fructose intolerance
- Malabsorption issues
- Celiac disease
- Food poisoning
- Fructose intolerance
- Childbirth – the muscles and nerves around the anus are impacted
- Conditions that cause a blockage in the intestinal tract such as abdominal adhesions, abdominal hernia, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer
Things you can do to help reduce farting
- Stop smoking
- Cut back on carbohydrates like pasta or corn
- Chew your food very carefully before swallowing
- g- digestion starts in your mouth
- Drink warm lemon water in the morning
- Don’t use straws
- Stop chewing gum
- Eat slower
- Don’t lie down right after a meal
- Exercise daily
- Place a hot water bottle on your tummy to help relax muscles and release trapped gas
- Drink plenty of water daily
- Stop drinking carbonated beverages
Probiotics
Taking a high-quality probiotic will help improve the quantity and quality of gut bacteria, which can help reduce bloating and gas.
Keep a food and flatulence diary
If your flatulence is bothering you, it might be a good idea to keep a food and flatulence diary to expose any sensitivities. Just write down what you have eaten and how you feel after you eat for a few weeks. This will help reveal foods that cause you digestive disturbance. If flatulence is severe or accompanied by other symptoms, check with a medical professional.
-The Alternative Daily