Yup, we're going there. Because it's totally normal, everybody does it and for some, it happens a little too often! If you've been put in situations where you've come out bright red from embarrassment and wonder why you're always so gassy, read on to discover what could be causing your flatulence.
Farts can be funny, repulsive, embarrassing, rude or even dastardly (those silent ones!). They certainly provoke a variety of reactions too. Some will laugh, some will be indignant and others will just stop coming around.
Often when you're a victim of flatulence, it's probably a result of excessive intestinal gasses or rather waste gasses produced during the digestion process. Apart from digestion, another key source of gasses is from swallowing air while drinking or eating.
Why do we fart so much
When there's an accumulation of gasses in the stomach, the body needs to release them, and this is done in two ways – burping or flatulence. Excessive gasses not let out by belching travel through the stomach and the small intestines and transform into fart-ready gasses. The good thing about this process is that it relieves our bodies from a gas buildup within the lower abdomen and can offer some form of relief.
Foods that cause flatulence
Dietary choices play a huge role in the level of flatulence you experience or how gassy and bloated you feel. Foods associated with excessive farting have some common characteristics that nurture the development of digestive gasses in the digestive system.
Some foods need longer digestion time or aren't fully absorbed by the body, leading to unpleasant odour when gas is released. This means that they pass via the small intestine to the colon without being digested first. Here are some foods to avoid to stop bloating, farting and feeling gassy:
1. Beans – the complex carbohydrates in the beans are hard to digest.
2. Milk – this represents all lactose-containing foods. When the lactose is broken down, it releases a tremendous amount of gas.
3. Carbonated drinks – beer and fizzy drinks contribute to the build-up of gasses in the intestinal tract.
4. Fiber supplements – this might be detrimental only if you add them too rapidly to your diet.
5. Artificial sweeteners – candy, sweets, gum and other sugary substances might cause flatulence or even lead to diarrhea.
What causes a fart
1. Intestinal bacteria
Although intestinal bacteria play a crucial role in the digestive system, imbalances between the healthy probiotic bacteria and the unhealthy bacteria have a direct influence on how much intestinal gas is released. Typically, a person with healthier intestinal colonies experiences a healthier and normal flatulence in contrast with one with unhealthy bacteria. It's for this reason that medical practitioners are always encouraging the maintenance of a healthy and balanced intestinal flora.
While there has been a massive advancement in the medicine and surgery division, some medical operations are invasive by nature and might interfere with the anatomical construction. For instance, some of the patients who have undergone gastroesophageal reflux report bloating and flatulence afterward.
3. Intestinal disorders
Just like any other disorder, flatulence is a symptom shared by different intestinal disorders, for instance people with lactose intolerance. This can may cause diarrhea, bloating and consequently flatulence.
4. Choice of foods
The choices you make in your diet affect the level of farting and can help stop you from passing gas while you're sleeping, which is a primary concern for a lot of people. Remember, beans are the prime suspects here.
Why do some farts smell and others don't
The smell of a fart entirely depends on what you've been consuming. Different foods are made up of different constituents, and this means the gasses released while digesting the foods will vary. For example wine or beer is largely created by the hydrogen sulphide generated during the brewing process. When not properly ingested it creates a rotten egg smell which is often disastrous!
On the other hand, when the hard to break carbohydrates are no absorbed sufficiently, particles might sit in your gut and ferment giving off a foul smell.
Foods to avoid that make you gassy, bloated and fart more are those high in fructose, polyol and sulfur like apples, pears, onions, garlic, cauliflower, asparagus, wheat and rye products.
Doctors advise for high-protein foods to stop flatulence like fish, chicken and turkey.
Why do some farts make noise and others don't
This all depends on the position of your sphincter. A taut sphincter will result in an explosion while a relaxed sphincter will pass sound silently. Things like coffee naturally relax the sphincter allowing you to pass the air easily.
Is it healthy to fart a lot
The average person releases gas around 22 times a day. If you happen to pass gas more than 22 times a day, then it might be worthy of a medical checkup. Excessive gas could be a warning sign of a digestive tract infection, a digestive problem or irritable bowel syndrome.
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