Farting or passing gas is normal. However, if it becomes too frequent, farting can certainly interfere with your comfort. The causes of frequent farting can vary, ranging from the consumption of certain foods to the possibility of disease in the digestive tract.
Farting is gas in the digestive tract that is expelled from the body through the anus. Farting generally occurs when the digestive tract produces excess gas.
There are several things that can cause gas to build up in the digestive tract, including swallowing too much air when eating or drinking, chewing gum, to eating too many certain types of food. In addition to frequent farts, excess gas can also be accompanied by bloating and belching.
Various Causes of Frequent Farts
Generally, a person can pass gas or fart up to 10 times a day. If you fart more than 10 times a day, it is a sign that you are experiencing frequent fart complaints. There are many things that can cause a person to fart frequently, including:
1. Eating certain foods
Frequent farting can be caused by the consumption of certain foods, especially foods that can produce excess gas, such as:
- Nuts
- Milk and its products, such as cheese and yogurt
- Vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cabbage, onions, carrots, celery, and bok choy
- Fruits, such as bananas and apples
- Grains, such as oats, whole wheat bread, and bran or bran
- Carbonated drinks, such as beer and soda
- Artificial sweeteners, such as fructose and sorbitol
- Tubers, such as potatoes and sweet potatoes
In general, foods high in fiber and sugar, as well as starchy foods are more at risk of causing frequent farts. You can note what types of food most often cause fart, if you find these complaints.
However, keep in mind that the same food can cause different reactions in each person. One food that causes frequent farts in one person does not necessarily cause the same reaction in others.
2. Swallowing too much wind
Swallowing too much wind is one of the causes of frequent farts for most people. Without realizing it, this can be caused by certain activities, for example:
- Consuming food or drink too fast
- Have a smoking habit
- Using a straw when drinking
- Drink carbonated drinks
- Sucking candy or chewing gum
- Wearing dentures that are too loose
- Swallowing too much saliva, for example when you're anxious
3. Suffering from several kinds of diseases
There are times when the cause of frequent farting, especially if you fart more than 20 times a day, is the possibility of certain diseases, such as:
- Disorders of the stomach, such as acid reflux disease or GERD, stomach ulcers, and gastroparesis
- Digestive disorders, eg lactose intolerance
- Inflammation of the intestines, for example in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Dumping Syndrome
- Eating disorders
- Celiac Disease
- Autoimmune pancreatitis
- Diabetes
In addition, frequent farting can also be caused by side effects of certain medications, such as drugs to treat type 2 diabetes, such as acarbose, or drugs containing lactulose or sorbitol sugar.
4. Have impaired absorption of food or drink
Part of the cause of frequent farting is the production of excess gas in the digestive tract due to the metabolism of bacteria in the intestines when the body digests food.
This process can make the germs in the intestines produce several kinds of gases, such as methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and sulfur that cause unpleasant odors.
Excess gas can occur when the body cannot digest certain types of sugar due to the absence of digestive enzymes in the small intestine. This undigested sugar is then transferred to the large intestine, where it will be processed into gas, causing you to fart frequently.
For example, lactose intolerance can result in lactose not being completely digested. Lactose is a natural sugar in milk and its derivatives such as cheese and yogurt.
In addition to frequent farts, other symptoms that can arise are diarrhea and cramps. Avoiding foods that contain lactose can reduce the frequency of farting and other unwanted effects.
Limiting food consumption, especially those that are a possible cause of frequent farting, can be one solution. Eating small meals regularly is better than eating occasionally, but in large quantities.
Although often farting is generally harmless, if the frequency of farting is felt to be excessive, you can consult a doctor to control excess gas.
Check with your doctor if you often fart accompanied by other worrying symptoms, such as diarrhea, constipation, blood in the stool, nausea, and vomiting.