What Is Farting?
Farting, also known as flatulence, is the release of gas from the digestive system through the rectum. It’s a completely natural bodily function that everyone experiences.
Average person farts 14–25 times a day.
Abnormally Frequent Farting: What It Means & What to Do
If you’re farting more than 25 times a day, especially with other symptoms, it might be considered excessive flatulence. While it’s often harmless, frequent farting can signal something going on in your digestive system.
Common Causes of Excessive Farting
1. Dietary Causes
High-fiber foods (beans, lentils, broccoli, onions)
Carbonated drinks
Sugar alcohols (like sorbitol, mannitol – often in sugar-free products)
Lactose (if you’re lactose intolerant)
Fructose or high-fructose corn syrup
2. Swallowing Too Much Air (Aerophagia)
Chewing gum
Eating too fast
Drinking through straws
Talking while eating
Smoking
3. Food Intolerances
Lactose intolerance
Gluten intolerance (Celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity)
FODMAP sensitivity (Fermentable sugars that trigger bloating and gas)
4. Digestive Disorders
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): Causes gas, bloating, cramps
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): Bacteria ferment food in the small intestine → gas
Celiac disease
GERD: May cause aerophagia due to frequent swallowing
Pancreatic insufficiency: Poor digestion → fermentation in gut
5. Medications
Antibiotics (disrupt gut microbiome)
Laxatives
Metformin (common diabetes medication)
Fiber supplements
When to See a Doctor
See a healthcare provider if you have excessive farting along with:
Bloating or abdominal pain
Diarrhea or constipation
Weight loss
Blood in stool
Fatigue
Changes in appetite
Recent changes in diet that worsen symptoms
How to Reduce Excessive Gas
Keep a Food Diary – Identify triggers
Try a Low-FODMAP Diet – Helps many with IBS
Eat Slower & Chew Thoroughly
Try Probiotics – Help balance gut bacteria
Avoid Gas-Producing Foods (temporarily)
Exercise Regularly – Moves gas through the intestines
Use Digestive Enzymes or Lactase (if needed)
Diagnostic Tests a Doctor Might Recommend
Hydrogen breath test (for lactose intolerance or SIBO)
Celiac panel (blood test)
Stool tests (for infection, fat malabsorption)
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy (in serious or chronic cases)
