Feeling gassy? None of us are immune to passing gas, as much as we may joke about it. But if you feel like you’re letting out farts all day long, it’s normal to get a little curious as to whether you’re passing too much gas and what’s actually causing it. According to gastroenterologist Felice Schnoll-Sussman of ,farting is extremely common and usually isn’t a cause for concern.
“What matters most is knowing what’s normal for your own body,” Schnoll-Sussman says. “Everyone has a baseline pattern when it comes to gas: how often it happens, what it feels like, and what tends to trigger it. For some people, passing gas more frequently is simply their normal, while for others it’s less noticeable day to day. There really isn’t a magic number when it comes to gas. Your own baseline is much more important.”
Numbers certainly vary, but most people pass gas anywhere from 10 to 20 times a day. What’s more important than the number of times you pass gas each day, however, is whether you’ve noticed a significant change from what’s normal for you, or if additional symptoms have appeared alongside it. Someone who has always been gassy but otherwise feels well day-to-day is a different situation from someone who suddenly starts passing significantly more gas than usual.
What Causes Constant Farting?
The most common explanation for farting comes down to diet. Our intestinal bacteria ferment carbohydrates that aren’t completely absorbed in the small intestine, and gas is a natural byproduct of that process. Some of the healthiest foods we eat are among the biggest gas producers, including beans, lentils, and broccoli. Sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol, found in sugar-free candies, protein products, and processed foods, can also be major culprits.
A sudden increase in fiber can also temporarily produce more gas in an individual, despite being a healthy dietary change. Lactose intolerance, sensitivity to certain fermentable carbohydrates, constipation, and changes in the gut microbiome could also be to blame for excessive farting.
“Not all gas comes from the food itself,” Schnoll-Sussman adds. “Sometimes we’re simply swallowing more air than we realize. Eating quickly, chewing gum, drinking through a straw, consuming carbonated beverages, or even talking while eating can increase the amount of air we swallow.”
Am I Farting Too Much?
Gas by itself is rarely a sign of a more dangerous health issue. When patients come to Schnoll-Sussman with concerns about excessive flatulence, she becomes more interested if the change is new, persistent, difficult to control, or accompanied by other gastrointestinal symptoms. For example, if someone suddenly becomes much gassier than usual and is also experiencing bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, or a change in bowel habits, it’s worth looking into.
“The other important question is whether it’s affecting quality of life. If your gas is controlling what you eat, where you go, or whether you feel comfortable being around other people, it is worth addressing,” she explains.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Constant Farting
As aforementioned, any new gastrointestinal symptoms or symptoms in someone with a significant family history of gastrointestinal disease or cancer should prompt appropriate medical attention. But ultimately, it’s important to look at the bigger picture when it comes to farting. Understand what’s normal for you while considering your symptoms as a whole. Are you experiencing any other gastrointestinal changes? For example, gas and bloating that consistently occur after eating dairy products could point to lactose intolerance. People with IBS commonly experience gas and bloating along with abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.
There are also certain symptoms that warrant a look beyond a functional digestive disorder or food intolerance. Unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool, persistent or severe abdominal pain, vomiting, anemia, fever, significant ongoing diarrhea, symptoms that regularly wake someone from sleep, or unexplained changes in bowel habits deserve a conversation with your doctor.