Reasons for farting and belching

Farting is more to do with bacteria in the lower bowel, which are particularly partial to carbohydrates. The carbohydrates in some foods can not 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;53:15615). 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 (Glucobay) is a drug 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: Friday, February 26th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by joseph on 10/06/2010 at 10:38:10 am

feeling sick most of the time.and full of wind

Posted by Optional on 10/05/2010 at 04:37:40 am

can a food alergy test help with my wind, as i break wind all day long and it smells really bad?

Posted by Optional on 06/04/2010 at 01:04:52 pm

it always helps to talk and discuss

Posted by The Trumpeter on 06/03/2010 at 04:39:13 am

In the past 5 years I have developed a problem in the mornings. I can fart long and loud and almost non-stop for about 30-45 minutes after waking up. It doesn't bother me, but the guff has my wife considering murder! For the rest of the day I am fine; any ideas on a solution, anyone?

Posted by Anonymous on 31/01/2010 at 03:18:00 pm

just wonder why i pass wind more if anyone has any ideas

Posted by Annie on 24/01/2010 at 11:44:00 am

Why on earth is lactose intolerance so rarely mentioned as a cause of severe flatulence and IBS?! About 80% of the world's population are lactose intolerant as adults (it's perfectly natural, not a disease - you don't really need to be able to digest milk if you aren't a baby, in fact only an unusual genetic mutation mostly found in Europeans enables adults to digest lactose). For a lactose intolerant person, milk can cause huge amounts of wind and IBS symptoms. I had this problem for years without realising what was causing it - when I found it out was a lactose intolerance it completely solved the problem and gave me my life back. I have also read recently that many people with IBS may suffer from a condition known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which makes starches (grains and potatoes) very hard to digest, causing them to ferment, giving a lot of wind. A strict low-starch diet is the treatment, and sometimes certain antibiotics. Egg intolerance can also cause severe digestive problems and smelly wind. Also, sugar alcohols (sorbitol, xylitol) and some artificial sweetners are not great for the digestion, as they can also ferment in the gut. In general, I have found that my digestion is far more happy if my diet is almost all meat, fish and lots of vegetables - no starchy food, very little sugar and no fruit. I love eating and have far more varied meals than most people I know - it just takes a little imagination and realising all the delicious foods you can eat. And, as a bonus, this diet gives you loads of nutrients, and a healthy slender figure with a flat tummy!

Posted by Anonymous on 27/12/2009 at 01:23:00 pm

wind is very smelly a realy strong smell

Posted by Michael Zwnonok on 13/12/2009 at 11:24:00 am

I have a severe problem with farting. On many occasions I find myself checking my underwear to see if I have soiled myself. Unfortunately many times, I have.

Posted by THE TROUBLE IS IAM DETOXING AS IAM ALLERGIC FOODS on 12/12/2009 at 09:20:00 pm

I HAVE ALOT OF WIND, SO UNCOMFORTUBLE,AND EMBARASING!WHEN I ET ANY VEG! BUT SINCE THIS WEEK IVE EATING PARSNIPS AND THEY HAVE MADE ME WORSE!WITH BELLY ACH PLUS WIND

Posted by Rheaum on 04/12/2009 at 10:15:00 pm

Peppermint oil capsules work well in relieving bloating etc. Hope this helps!

Posted by ian wilkinson on 03/12/2009 at 08:00:00 am

I get trapped wind excessently I have allways sufferd from tnis, sometimes it can affect my breathing as my stomach swells ,I have told my doctor he gave a blood test and an oral check said I was ok gave me Renatadine.I still get wind.my general health is good.Thanks Iah.

Posted by pam on 18/11/2009 at 06:42:00 am

I seem to always have wind, it is embarrassing and uncomfortable as I cannot let it go unless I am in a toilet. Is there anything I can take to ease this problem..

Posted by Anonymous on 31/10/2009 at 01:34:00 am

good info. but this does not solve my problem. i dont eat or do any of the above and yet i had the most loudest ones in the world!

Posted by Anonymous on 09/10/2009 at 08:35:00 am

I have fructose malabsorption. As a result of this condition I have terrible constipation and wind, despite my eating a fibrous and healthy diet. I tend to find also an effective way to reduce the tight knot feeling that comes with wind is by eating smaller meals. If your faeces is hard, go to the doctor asap and fix it before than later as it is simply a condition which exacerbates.

Posted by Anonymous on 04/08/2009 at 11:30:00 am

Problem with smelly flatulence when line dancing. Not aware of actually passing the wind until the very obvious smell is present. Been diagnosed with IBS.

Posted by FATTIE on 04/04/2009 at 01:55:00 pm

You do not include sprouts, which are notorious for causing gas? How about cabbage? What about leeks which are of the onion family? I love the above but have such bloating it is miserable for me.

Posted by Big Tom on 30/12/2008 at 12:52:00 pm

when I break wind, I can clear a stadium

Posted by Anonymous on 28/12/2008 at 10:15:00 pm

excellent info.