Health A to Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Farting

Farting or flatulence, or wind is normal and expected. You can do certain things if you are farting too much or if your fart is smelly. Rarely, it can also indicate a health condition

Ways to cut down excessive or smelly farts?

  • Eat smaller portions more often
  • Drink or chew food slowly, with mouth closed
  • Drink peppermint tea
  • Do not smoke, suck pen tops, or chew gums. or eat hard sweets
  • Don’t wear loose-fitting dentures
  • Don’t eat food that is difficult to digest
  • Exercise regularly to improve how your body digests food
  • Don’t consume too much alcohol (beer), wine, or fruit juice

Smelly farts causes

Swallowing air while eating and eating foods that are hard to digest are the reasons behind excessive or smelly farts. Don’t self-diagnose; consult a doctor if you are worried about your health condition. Following are some causes:

  • Constipation (can lead to difficulty in pooping and stomach pain)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (can lead to bloating stomach pain along with diarrhea or constipation)
  • Coeliac disease (can lead to constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and stomach pain)
  • Lactose intolerance (can lead to bloating, diarrhea, sickness, and stomach pain)

Consult a doctor if:

  • If farting affects your regular activities and your self-treatments have not worked
  • If you have stomach pain or bloating that often comes back or will not go away
  • If you keep developing constipation or diarrhea
  • If you have lost weight without trying
  • If you have blood in your stool
Ways to cut down excessive or smelly farts?

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022