Flatulence

Key takeaways

• Flatulence is the act of passing gas through the intestines and out the rectum.
• Consuming too many gas-producing foods, artificial sweeteners and having certain digestive disorders can cause flatulence.
• Some treatments and symptom management options may include over-the-counter anti-gas medications, dietary changes and regular exercise to help improve digestion.

Overview

What is flatulence?

Flatulence, also referred to as passing gas, is a natural bodily process that occurs when the air in your intestines passes through them and out the rectum. It may have a strong odor, or it may occur prior to a bowel movement or a bout of diarrhea. You may also feel bloating or pressure in the belly, stomach cramping, and abdominal gurgling or rumbling.

While some flatulence is considered completely normal, excessive or uncontrollable flatulence or feeling "gassy" after consuming certain types of foods may indicate an underlying health condition.

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Possible Causes

What causes flatulence?

Some common causes of flatulence include:

• Consuming too many gas-producing foods, such as beans, dairy products, cabbage, broccoli and asparagus
• Chewing and swallowing too fast or swallowing large pieces of food that introduce air into your digestive system
• Making rapid dietary changes, such as increasing fiber or dairy intake
• Chewing sugarless gum or gum containing artificial sweeteners

Some underlying health conditions that can cause excessive or uncontrollable flatulence:

• Irritable bowel syndrome, which causes alternating symptoms of gas, constipation and diarrhea
• Lactose intolerance (inability to properly digest lactose or dairy products)
• Wheat or gluten intolerance

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Treatment & management

How can flatulence be treated?

Fevers It is important to work with a health care provider to determine the cause of your flatulence so that it can be treated appropriately. Treatment and symptom management for flatulence depends on the specific cause of your symptoms. For example, if you tend to pass gas after consuming dairy or wheat products, your health care provider may suggest eliminating wheat or dairy from your diet to ease symptoms. Taking over-the-counter medications to help break down gas-causing carbohydrates in food and lactase supplements to reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance may also help.

If flatulence is due to a health condition, treating the underlying issue may help reduce or eliminate symptoms. MinuteClinic offers a variety of services that can help with diagnosis and treatment.

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When to seek medical care

Call 911 if:

• Symptoms of flatulence are accompanied by severe diarrhea or vomiting.
• You notice blood in your stools or have severe heartburn or chest pain.

Contact your provider if:

• Your symptoms of flatulence don't resolve on their own.
• Flatulence is accompanied by chronic back pain or belly pain.

In general, if you are concerned about your flatulence, check in with a health care provider. You can find a variety of services at a MinuteClinic near you.

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This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions.

Please visit a healthcare provider for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local Emergency Department.

References used as sources for this page

1. Gas and gas pains. Source from Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gas-and-gas-pains/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372714. Accessed on May 2023.
2. Gas-flatulence. Source from Mount Sinai. Available at https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/gas-flatulence. Accessed on May 2023.
3. Intestinal Gas - Causes. Source from Mayo Clinic. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/intestinal-gas/basics/causes/sym-20050922. Accessed on May 2023.
4. Intestinal Gas - When to See a Doctor. Source from Mayo Clinic. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/intestinal-gas/basics/causes/sym-20050922. Accessed on May 2023.

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