Farting, or flatulence, is the release of gas from the digestive tract through the rectum. It’s a completely normal bodily process that happens to everyone.
On average, a person passes gas between 14 and 25 times each day.
If you’re passing gas more than 25 times daily, especially alongside other symptoms, it could be considered excessive flatulence. While it’s often harmless, it may indicate an underlying issue with your digestive system.
Common Reasons for Excessive Gas
1. Dietary Factors
• High-fiber foods such as beans, lentils, broccoli, and onions
• Carbonated drinks
• Sugar alcohols like sorbitol and mannitol, often found in sugar-free products
• Lactose, for those who are lactose intolerant
• Fructose or high-fructose corn syrup
2. Swallowing Excess Air (Aerophagia)
• Chewing gum
• Eating too quickly
• Drinking through straws
• Talking while eating
• Smoking
3. Food Intolerances
• Lactose intolerance
• Gluten intolerance, including celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity
• Sensitivity to FODMAPs, which are fermentable sugars that can cause gas and bloating
4. Digestive Conditions
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which can lead to gas, bloating, and cramps
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), where bacteria ferment food in the small intestine and produce gas
• Celiac disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which may cause swallowing more air
• Pancreatic insufficiency, where poor digestion leads to fermentation in the gut
5. Medications
• Antibiotics, which can disturb the gut microbiome
• Laxatives
• Metformin, a common diabetes drug
• Fiber supplements
When to Seek Medical Advice
You should see a doctor if frequent gas is accompanied by:
• Bloating or abdominal pain
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood in the stool
• Fatigue
• Appetite changes
New dietary changes that make symptoms worse
Ways to Reduce Excessive Gas
• Keep a food journal to spot triggers
• Try a low-FODMAP diet, which can help with IBS
• Eat more slowly and chew food well
• Consider probiotics to improve gut balance
• Temporarily avoid foods known to produce gas
• Stay active to help move gas through the intestines
• Use digestive enzymes or lactase supplements when needed
Possible Diagnostic Tests
• Hydrogen breath test for lactose intolerance or SIBO
• Blood test for celiac disease
• Stool tests for infections or fat malabsorption
• Endoscopy or colonoscopy in persistent or serious cases
If you want, I can also slightly reformat this into a cleaner, more engaging “health blog” style so it reads more smoothly for online audiences. That would make it more reader-friendly while keeping all the info.
