by Staff writer
While farting is totally normal, and a lot of researchers have agreed that farting a couple times in a day is actually good for you, because your body needs to show it’s digesting food properly and functioning up to par, passing too much gas, however, can be burdensome and may require visiting a doctor.
Excessive farting can be caused by swallowing more air than usual or eating food that’s difficult to digest.
It can also be related to an underlying health problem affecting the digestive system, such as recurring indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Though there are no medical guidelines defining the normal frequency or volume of gas you should pass in one day, it is advised you see your doctor if you have been farting too frequently for some time and especially if the gas is smelly.
You should also visit your GP if you experience additional symptoms, such as:
1. persistent abdominal pain and bloating
2. recurring episodes of diarrhoea or constipation
3. unexplained weight loss
4. bowel incontinence and
5. blood in your stools (faeces)
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.
Foods known to cause excessive farting include:
1. Foods high in unabsorbable carbohydrates such as beans, cabbage, onions and apples.
2. Certain processed foods should also be avoided as they can contain ingredients that cause flatulence, including:
i. any foods with artifical sweeteners
ii. sugar-free sweets or chewing gum
iii. fizzy drinks
It’s important to note that people react differently to certain foods, so some foods that cause you to fart may be perfectly normal for others.
You may find it useful to keep a food diary to see whether certain foods make your symptoms better or worse.
There’s some evidence to suggest drinking peppermint tea can help improve the symptoms of flatulence.
There’s also some evidence that small amounts of ginger can help with digestion or an upset stomach, which may be causing flatulence.
However, pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking ginger.
When eating, make sure you chew food slowly to reduce the amount of air you swallow. This will also help with digestion. Avoid chewing gum as it can also cause you to swallow more air than usual.
You should also give up smoking, if you smoke. Smoking can cause you to swallow more air than usual, and tobacco smoke can irritate your digestive system.
Getting plenty of exercise can also help improve the functioning of your digestive system and bowel.
It has been shown to help with bloating and the passage of gas.
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Credit:
www.emedicinehealth.com
www.medicalnewstoday.com
www.healthline.com
www.nhs.uk
