Reasons for farting and belching

Farting is more to do with bacteria in the lower bowel that are particularly partial to carbohydrates. The carbohydrates in some foods cannot be broken down and absorbed in the intestine; they pass straight through to the bowel, where they are fermented by the bacteria to produce gas that comes out as farting. Beans are famous for containing large amounts of unabsorbable carbohydrate, but other foods can have the same effect.

 

Some slimming chocolate contains sorbitol or fructose instead of sugar. Most of this is not absorbed (which is why these products are marketed for slimmers), but can be acted on by the large bowel bacteria to cause wind. Consumption of fruit juices is increasing and, because they contain a lot of fructose, they can cause gas and bloating.

 

Foods with a high proportion of unabsorbable carbohydrate that cause flatulence

Overeating, as we all know, leads to belching. This is because the stomach normally contains some air. When we overeat, the stomach attempts to relieve the discomfort and distension by expelling the stomach air upwards. This is a reflex over which we have no control.

 

Fizzy drinks and gulping hot drinks introduce gas into the stomach.

 

Habit. Some people suck a small amount of air into the oesophagus (gullet) or stomach by swallowing to make themselves belch, without realizing they are doing so (Gut 2004;53:1561). This habit often starts if there is a period of indigestion, when belching may temporarily relieve the discomfort.

 

Smoking, chewing gum and sucking on pen tops makes you produce more saliva, which has to be swallowed. Each time you swallow the saliva you also swallow air. Also, chewing gum contains sorbitol.

 

Tight clothing, such as Lycra shorts, constricting belts and hold-in underwear increase the pressure on the abdomen and make it more difficult for wind to pass along normally, resulting in trapped wind and belching.

 

Acarbose is a drug sometimes used for diabetes. It prevents enzymes in the gut digesting carbohydrates such as starch and sucrose. Because they are not digested, these carbohydrates are not absorbed (which is how the drug helps to lower the blood sugar). Instead, they pass down to the lower bowel, where they are fermented by the bacteria. Most people taking acarbose experience flatulence, tummy rumbles and a feeling of fullness.

 

Intestinal diseases are occasionally responsible. In lactase deficiency, for example, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, a carbohydrate found in milk, is lacking. The undigested lactose produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide when it reaches the large bowel, causing frothy diarrhoea, griping pains and flatulence.

 

Constipation can cause farting. Normally, most of the intestinal gas is expelled out of the anus as small puffs which we are not aware of. When we are constipated, the gas becomes trapped behind the faeces and then suddenly emerges as a noticeable amount. Also, when we are constipated, the food residues stay in the bowel for longer, and have more time to ferment and give off gases. (For more information, look at the section on constipation.)

 

Anxiety and tension seem to make wind worse. This is partly because when we are anxious we are hyper-alert, and notice body functions that we would otherwise ignore. Another factor is that when we are anxious we tend to swallow more air. Also, our guts become more active because of increased adrenaline levels and they expel the gases more forcefully.

 

Childbirth. After childbirth, the muscles of the anus or the nerves nearby can be damaged, making it difficult to hold wind in. This is much more common than many people realize. A study in Sweden found that 25% of women were unable to control wind 5 months after giving birth, particularly if they had a long labour. The problem did improve a few months later. Sometimes, there may also be some leakage of faeces (for more information, look at the section on faecal incontinence). If your problem started after having a baby and does not get better, see your doctor because an operation may cure the problem.

 

Ageing may make gas worse, because as we get older we do not produce digestive juices, such as saliva, as efficiently. This means that more carbohydrate foods pass untouched to the lower bowel, where they are fermented by the bacteria.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Tuesday, October 4th 2011

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Comments on this article

Posted by Optional on 26/12/2011 at 04:48

well done. I LEARNED A LOT FOR THE CAUSES. THANKS

Posted by Optional Helen on 10/11/2011 at 10:10

When I have a bad headache, i know it is starting to get better once i start belclhing, it seems to relieve the pressure. why ?

Posted by Optional on 23/10/2011 at 03:31

What can prevent it? The only 2 things that ring true are tension and anxiety and a lot of milk. Gas-X doesn't do a thing. I don't eat the normal foods that create these problems. lots of medications cause dry mouth causing me to chew gum a lot.

Posted by GLUTEN FREE-Celiac Disease on 27/09/2011 at 08:37, United States

This article was very interesting and helpful, although you did not mention other food allergies such as Celiac Disease. I was recently diagnosed, with just a simple blood test for the allergy to wheat. Celiac Disease is when your stomach cannot properly digest the ingredients wheat, barley, and oats(flour,malt). The villa hairs in the digestive system are burnt off from eating those ingredients. Since I have changed my diet, I have felt a huge difference in my digestive system and much more energy. My stomach is still in the healing process ( which can take up to a year or longer). The disease is very common and the symptoms can be extremely suddle. Some symptoms include consistant: fatigue,constipation, diahrea, gas, bloating,sickly paleness, and pimple like bumps on the arms.

Posted by Optional on 11/08/2011 at 09:18, United States

i never used to fart ever, and now i have been loseing weight ( i was a normal weigt for my height before) i have been eating really extra healthy and now i fart non stop? why?

Posted by vwexahe on 10/07/2011 at 06:14, United Kingdom

does masturbatin make passing wind more active.. i masturbate and den nned to go toilet after i hace ejacuted for a number 2 or pass alot of wind..

Posted by Optional on 28/06/2011 at 09:45, United Kingdom

With non reason ,my stomag is bigger people ask me if i am pregnat ,and i do fart a lot ,can you please help ?

Posted by Maximus on 13/05/2011 at 01:20, United Kingdom

D, who posted about being light headed. See your doctor asap. That doesn't sound normal at all. Good luck!

Posted by D on 13/03/2011 at 02:09, United Kingdom

I have been troubled all my life with wind , it seems to run in my family . But far a long time now when I pass wind its sooo forceful and makes me light headed . what would cause this

Posted by jan on 22/02/2011 at 08:14, United Kingdom

i need to stop the belching and worse farting as we are going on a 26 hour flight!

Posted by Val on 23/01/2011 at 05:47, South Africa

In the last 6 months or so I have started farting, mainly when I get up in the morning. I am very noisy! I would love to find a cure.

Posted by Optional on 13/01/2011 at 01:07, United Kingdom

Great information - very informative! Thank you.

Posted by alan on 09/12/2010 at 01:30, United Kingdom

huge amount of belching and farting and bloated nausea.Stools pretty normal but this incessant feeling of nausea getting me down .Any advice

Posted by Optional on 28/10/2010 at 09:21, South Africa

my stomach is all of a sudden full of gas (a lot) I fart constantly and the smell is really bad. I also have stomach cramps sometimes and some gastro

Posted by Anonymous on 29/09/2010 at 06:39, United Kingdom

I have suffered for years with chest and stomach pains and extreme flatulence and bloating caused by my inability to burp. I appear to be one of many who have this problem.Can you help as this is affecting my life considerably. Thank you

Posted by Muhammad Abul Hossain,PhD on 26/08/2010 at 12:01, Bangladesh

It is an illuminating article. I shall apply your suggestions and give you my feedback.

Posted by FRUITI FARTI on 19/08/2010 at 09:46, United Kingdom

YES BUT NO SOLUTIONS! EATING FRUIT IS GOOD TELL US OF PRODUCTS TO BREAK DOWN FRUCTOSE. E.G. I CAN GET A LACTASE ENZYME PILL BEFORE EAT DAIRY FROM HEALTH SHOPS, IS THERE THE SAME FOR FRUIT?