Frequent Flatulence – Causes of Persistent Farting (Passing Gas)

Flatulence is the act of passing gas through the anus which is a normal part of human physiology. Most of the time this passing of gas, which is referred to as farting, is not taken seriously. It is not usually reported as a symptom unless it is excessive resulting in frequent passing of flatus. The term flatulent is therefore accepted as excessive flatulence or frequent flatulence, in excess of the 15 to 20 times a day that flatus is normally expelled.

Apart from the discomfort of frequent flatulence, it can cause significant emotional distress as the passing of flatus may be uncontrollable. It may occur in social settings, often at the most inopportune times, which can be embarrassing. This is exacerbated if the flatus is unusually foul in odor and passing of the gas is loud. However, persistence flatulence is not always a problem and can be linked to recent dietary habits.

What Causes A Person To Be Flatulent?

It is important to understand how flatus forms in the bowels under normal circumstances. The gas that comprises a ‘fart’ (flatus) is a combination of environmental gas and gas produced within the gut. Air is a major component. It enters the gut through the mouth during eating and drinking as well as during talking. This is a result of air swallowing which may also be passed out as a burp (belch).

Intestinal bacteria in the bowels, particularly the large intestine, breaks down food residue in the stool and produces gas in the process. This is another major contributor to flatus and often accounts for the foul odor of flatus, similar to rotten eggs. The breakdown of foods during chemical digestion can also release gas as a byproduct which may also make up flatus in part. Gassy foods and drinks as well as gas from the blood that enters the intestines also contribute to the formation of flatus to a lesser extent.

A person may be flatulent due to physiological or functional causes or it may be a sign of some underlying disease (pathological causes). Some of the physiological causes of frequent or excessive flatulence includes :

• Excessive air swallowing (aerophagia)
• Very high carbohydrate, fat and/or fiber intake.
• Large intake of carbonated beverages.
• Premenstrual (before period in women)

Read more on excessive flatulence.

Diseases That Cause Flatulence

Flatulence problems may occur on its own or may accompany other symptoms, particularly changes in bowel habit like constipation or diarrhea. There are various possible causes of abnormally frequent or persistent flatulence. It may be a symptom of some underlying disorder or disease, usually involving the bowels. However, it can also be linked to dietary and lifestyle factors.

Intolerance

A food intolerance is where the body is unable to digest or absorb certain nutrients. The most common of these intolerances is lactose intolerance. Some people have a deficiency or lack of the enzyme lactase. This enzyme is needed to digest milk sugars known as lactose. The undigested lactose remains in the gut where it causes irritation and causes a host of other symptoms.

These symptoms usually start or exacerbate almost immediately after eating and may be accompanied by indigestion, abdominal pain or discomfort, excessive belching, nausea, loud stomach noises or diarrhea.

• Celiac disease (gluten intolerance)
• Sucrose intolerance
• Fructose malabsorption

Obstruction

An obstruction may be partial or complete and occur anywhere in the gut. With movement of food and wastes being slowed down or even blocked altogether, there are various reasons why excess gas production may occur. Flatulence may be more prominent with an obstruction in the small or large intestine. The prolonged duration of stool within the colon in particular allows the intestinal bacteria a longer time to feed on residual nutrients and produce more gas.

An obstruction within the bowels can be serious. Apart from belching and flatulence, it also presents with abdominal pain, severe nausea, projectile vomiting, constipation and malaise. Some of the causes of partial or complete bowel obstruction includes:

• Volvulus which is a twisting of the bowel.
• Tumors both benign and malignant can block the bowels.
• Gallstone ileus where a gallstone obstructs the small intestine.
• Adhesions which are scar tissue that may arise with abdominal surgery.
• Hernias which are protrusions in the abdominal wall where the bowel may become trapped.
• Polyps which are abnormal growths that protrude from the inner wall of the intestines.
• Fecal impaction where the stool forms a hard plug and blocks the lower colon.

Infections

Infections of the gut and particularly of the lower small intestine and large intestine can cause symptoms like frequent flatulence. These infections are usually acute meaning that it arises suddenly and usually lasts for short periods of time. It can vary in severity. Some of these infections can be serious and even life threatening.

Symptoms may arise suddenly, especially in acute infections like gastroenteritis, with pronounced nausea, vomiting, fever and watery diarrhea, especially after eating. With intestinal parasites, symptoms may be milder and develop gradually, often with no fever present. Unintentional weight loss is a key feature in these cases.

• Gastroenteritis
• Infectious colitis
• Intestinal parasites
• Tropical sprue
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Read more on intestine infections.

Maldigestion and Malabsorption

Maldigestion and malabsorption syndromes are problems with the digestion or absorption of nutrients, respectively. Problems with digestion are usually related to problems with digestive enzymes, similar to food intolerances like lactose intolerance. If these nutrients are not digested then it cannot be absorbed. Various bowel problems can also impair nutrient absorption in the gut. As a result these nutrients remain in the bowels where it can contribute to flatulence.

Unintentional weight loss, diarrhea, abnormalities with stool like steatorrhea, failure to thrive and signs and symptoms of nutrient deficiencies (macro- and micronutrients) may be seen.

• Deficiency of digestive enzymes – pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, achlorhydria
• Bile duct blockage
• Bowel resection or gastric bypass surgery
• Abnormal bowel transit time as is seen with gastroparesis and irritable bowel syndrome
• Dumping syndrome

Psychological/Psychiatric

Frequent flatulence may also be noted in mental health conditions for various reasons. From psychological stress to more long term mental health conditions, flatulence may be a problem along with other digestive symptoms.

• Anxiety
• Eating disorders