Reasons for Frequent Flatulence, Symptoms, Causes, and Diseases

I'll explain the reasons, symptoms, causes, and diseases related to frequent flatulence. While passing gas is a natural process, frequent flatulence or a strong odor can be a warning sign from your body that your health is at risk. I'll explain various facts about flatulence that you shouldn't ignore.

Flatulence and Gut Health

Gas is naturally produced as the food we consume is broken down by various bacteria in the intestines, which also leads to flatulence. However, excessive gas production or a strong odor can be a serious health threat, so if you experience a strong odor when passing gas, you should address it promptly.

Flatulence contains carcinogens and up to 400 different components. There's a significant difference between normal fermentation and food decomposition in our intestines.

When food decomposes in the intestines, numerous carcinogens, toxins, and bacteria enter the body, leading to poor blood circulation and a rapid decline in health. Therefore, it's essential to adopt healthy lifestyle habits to resolve this issue.

Healthy individuals typically pass gas 10 to 20 times a day. However, the smell of flatulence is more important than the quantity. If the odor is strong, it can be harmful to your body, so you should be cautious. The smell of flatulence is often related to dietary habits rather than irritable bowel syndrome or problems with the stomach or intestines.

Causes of Flatulence Odor

1. Animal Fats and Proteins

The first cause of a strong flatulence odor is animal fats and protein-rich foods. Foods high in protein and fat produce a stronger odor when digested compared to carbohydrates.

Consuming foods high in fat and protein leads to the production of a mixture of fatty acids, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur, resulting in a stronger flatulence odor. Animal protein and eggs, for instance, produce hydrogen sulfide, which also has a pungent odor.

2. Overeating

The second cause is overeating, leading to poor nutrient absorption. Undigested food easily decomposes in the large intestine. Particularly, if the rectum, which is close to the anus, becomes full of stool and needs to be passed, it can cause a strong flatulence odor.

3. Constipation

Thirdly, constipation can also cause a strong flatulence odor. Constipation means that stool stays in the intestines for a longer period. Consequently, the amount of carcinogens that enter the body increases proportionally with the duration of the stool's stay, and the likelihood of harmful bacteria decomposing and introducing toxic substances into the body also increases.

4. Colon Cancer and Polyps

While not common, colon cancer or polyps can also be a cause of constipation. Often, it's accompanied by sticky mucus, constipation or diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In such cases, an enema is the quickest solution. Alternatively, you can try a fruit-only diet for a day or two.

Otherwise, consume a diet rich in soft soluble fiber, including seaweed, soft vegetables, or foods with high mucin content like burdock root and lotus root to alleviate constipation. Additionally, if you're in a hurry, you can take a couple of spoonfuls of flaxseed oil or olive oil after meals.

Reasons for Frequent Flatulence

1. Lactose

Animal fats and proteins, as well as lactose present in dairy products, can be the cause. John Chang, a gastroenterologist at Austin Gastroenterology, explains that if the lactose, a type of sugar found in dairy products, is not fully broken down in the body, intestinal bacteria take over the final stages of digestion, leading to gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Most people lose the ability to digest lactose as they age, leading to lactose intolerance. Even if you don't have lactose intolerance, it's advisable to be mindful of milk and dairy products.

2. FODMAP Foods

Secondly, you should be cautious about consuming FODMAP foods. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that are not easily absorbed and quickly ferment within the body. In simpler terms, they can be considered poorly digestible sugars.

These foods lead to excessive gas production in the intestines. Examples of FODMAP-rich foods include milk, dried fruits, bread, carbonated beverages, and artificial sweeteners.

3. Air Intake Habits

Some people slurp when drinking soup, and others chew gum frequently. These habits can lead to increased air intake, resulting in more frequent flatulence. However, flatulence exceeding the normal range should prompt suspicion of a specific medical condition.

Solutions for Flatulence

The solution is quite basic: pass gas freely when you need to. Holding in gas can cause a buildup of intestinal gas, which can impair intestinal motility. Some studies suggest this can lead to constipation.

Reducing the consumption of meat and fast food is beneficial. Also, foods high in insoluble fiber can trigger increased flatulence.

Therefore, individuals increasing their intake of vegetarian foods should prioritize soft, soluble fiber-rich foods like seaweed and soft vegetables. Also, those who start consuming fruits may experience gas production, so it's better to consume fruits alone before meals.

Consume fruits 30 minutes before meals or alone. It's better to consume only one type of fruit at a time. Additionally, avoid dairy products, liquid fructose, and fast eating habits, and adopt lifestyle changes that eliminate the root causes. Spicy foods like onions, garlic, and leeks also produce more gas.

If you experience excessively frequent flatulence or a very strong odor, it could be linked to digestive disorders, or even colon cancer or polyps. Therefore, I recommend carefully examining your overall health status.