What do different smelling farts mean

This excess gas can also lead to uncomfortable bloating and constipation. Constipation occurs when stool builds up in the colon or large intestine and cannot exit. This may be due to taking certain medications, poor diet, or other biological causes. The buildup of stool in the colon often causes a buildup of smelly gases to occur alongside.

This extra gas may cause bloating and discomfort. When finally released, the gas is often smelly. The digestive tract is responsible for breaking down foods into usable nutrients, which are absorbed into the blood. It also produces waste, which is passed through the colon.

The digestive tract relies on several different components to do this, including its resident good bacteria. At times, the levels of bacteria in the digestive tract may become imbalanced, potentially leading to an infection. The infection will often cause:. When a person experiences any of these symptoms, they should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Though not as common, a person may experience excessive smelly gas due to the presence of cancer of the colon. Cancerous polyps or tumors can form blockages that cause gas to build up in the intestine.

One early warning sign is when changes in diet or medication do not stop foul-smelling gas from occurring. After 50 years of age , a person at average risk for colon cancer should be tested to check for colon cancer. In many cases, a person can try to treat flatulence at home. Often, changes in diet can be enough to reduce or get rid of smelly gas. These changes may require eating less of or avoiding several foods.

The foods that need to be reduced or avoided will vary from person to person. In other cases, an individual may find that medication has caused smelly flatulence. For over-the-counter medications, a person will likely find relief by stopping the product. For prescription medications, it is advisable to speak to a doctor about alternatives if smelly flatulence becomes a problem. In these cases, the gas may be due to an infection or underlying condition that needs treatment. A doctor can perform tests to find out exactly what is causing the gas and decide a treatment plan for the individual.

Fiber bulks up and solidifies your stool. If you ingest too much, your bowel movements can become hard to pass, he says. To get unblocked and stop the gas, drink more water and increase—or decrease—your fiber intake slowly, he says. Consuming 25 to 29 grams of dietary fiber each day is optimal, according to a World Health Organization study review published in Carbonated drinks could be the culprit.

Seltzer, soda, and carbonated booze, such as beer and hard seltzer, can introduce more air and thus gas into your GI tract, making farting more frequent, says Dr. Sonpal, especially if one of these is your go-to beverage you sip around the clock. Try cutting back on bubbly beverages.

If you're not sure your carbonation habit is the cause, keep a record of your intake include times when gas is a problem and bring it to your doctor, who can help suss things out and recommend alternative beverages that don't make you break wind. If they did, quiet farts wouldn't be knowns as SBDs: silent but deadly. But if yours seriously reek, pin the blame on all the high-sulfur foods lurking in your diet.

People with low bacterial diversity in their gut which can be caused by frequent, excessive antibiotic use or a diet low in fiber and high in animal products often face this issue, Dr.

Ravella says. Another common culprit, though, is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, also known as SIBO , she says. SIBO occurs when excess bacteria builds up in the small intestine, which can affect nutrient absorption and cause all sorts of digestive symptoms including an uptick in flatulence. Irritable bowel syndrome , a condition in which dysfunction in the large intestine causes digestive issues like bloating and abdominal pain, and bouts of diarrhea and constipation, is yet another common culprit behind particularly smelly farts, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Though frequent gas alone is not enough to diagnose IBS, changes in gas odor and production are common factors, says Dr. Often, managing IBS involves making healthy diet and lifestyle changes—and addressing stress.

Though gas varies from person to person, regularly stinky farts—when in combination with certain other symptoms—do warrant a trip to the doctor, as they can indicate serious conditions, like colon cancer.

Ravella, the following are cause for concern:. However, even consistently smelly farts accompanied by more minor digestive upset like bloating can indicate issues like food sensitivities and bacterial imbalances, Dr. In these cases, a registered dietitian can help you evaluate and modify your diet to ease your symptoms.

Like what you just read? There are some things you can do to get rid of smelly farts:. Gas is a normal part of the digestion process. If you're unable to expel gas, you may start to feel pain and discomfort. Learn how to avoid gas…. Here are the types of foods that cause the most gas. Yoga aids in relaxation throughout the entire body. Relaxing your body, and especially your bowels and intestines, can help you to pass gas.

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