Excessive Gas
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Excessive gas
Experience a significant amount of gas
About the Symptom
Increased flatulence describes the more frequent passing of gas, otherwise known as farting.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Abdominal bloating sensation
- Abdominal pain
Possible Causes
Generally, Excessive gas can be related to:
- Aerophagia (Swallowing Air)
Excessive and repetitive air swallowing, resulting in burping, bloating and flatulence symptoms. It can be caused by psychological reasons, habits, or using machines that assist in breathing (CPAP machines).
- Constipation
Difficulty passing stool. Constipation can also refer to a decrease in stool quantity (e.g. passing stool every day but only small amounts). It can be caused by various factors, including dietary habits, mobility, illnesses, and medications.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A condition with recurring episodes of abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation. IBS is diagnosed when no clear cause can be found despite investigations. The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but stress and certain foods are known to cause flare-ups.
- Functional Dyspepsia
- Gastritis
- Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis
- Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Colon Cancer
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Excessive gas may be related to these serious diseases:
- Bowel obstruction
This happens when the intestines are blocked, for example, by tumors or scar tissue from past surgeries. Quick medical attention is necessary.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Have you been passing gas more than usual?
- When did you first start passing gas more than usual?
- How often do you experience passing gas more than usual?
Reviewed By:
Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)
Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
Incredibly Gassy? Why Your Gut Is Overreacting & Medically Approved Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider, and most excessive gas stems from diet or habits like high FODMAP foods, air swallowing, lactose intolerance, constipation, IBS, or sometimes SIBO; medically approved steps that help include slowing meals, targeted food trials such as a short low FODMAP or lactose test, improving bowel regularity, cutting carbonation, stress management, guided probiotics, and OTC simethicone. Seek prompt care for red flags such as severe pain, unintentional weight loss, blood in stool, persistent diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or new symptoms after age 50, and see the complete guidance below because important details could change your next steps.
References:
• Levitt, M. D., & Furne, J. K. (2019). Excessive flatus: a comprehensive review. *Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology*, *53*(10), e413-e419.
• Enck, P., & Mazurak, N. (2021). The Gut Microbiome and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Focus on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. *Journal of Clinical Medicine*, *10*(12), 2736.
• Chey, W. D., & Koloski, N. A. (2020). Dietary Interventions for Functional Abdominal Bloating and Distension. *Gastroenterology & Hepatology*, *16*(10), 548-558.
• Lacy, B. E., & Patel, N. K. (2023). Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Treatment Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Bloating and Abdominal Distension. *Drugs*, *83*(3), 227-246.
• Rezaie, A., & Pimentel, M. (2021). Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Treatment. *Current Gastroenterology Reports*, *23*(3), 4.
Q.
Constant Farting? Why Your Gut Is Overreacting & Medical Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider: while most people pass gas 10 to 20 times a day, feeling constant or smelly gas usually comes from swallowed air, fermentable foods, lactose or other intolerances, IBS, constipation, or a sensitive gut. See below for targeted diet tweaks, ways to reduce air swallowing, when to try probiotics, and the medical next steps including testing for lactose issues or SIBO, plus red flags like weight loss, bleeding, severe or persistent pain, fever, ongoing diarrhea, anemia, or new symptoms after 50 that require prompt care.
References:
* Lacy BE, Patel NK, Baffy N, Shah K, Pimentel M, Triantafyllou K. Intestinal Gas: Sources, Clinical Aspects, and Management. Dig Dis Sci. 2022 Nov;67(11):5076-5089. doi: 10.1007/s10620-022-07581-2. Epub 2022 Jul 30. PMID: 35914613.
* Simrén M, Strid H, Öhman L. Excessive gas in the gut: a review of the pathophysiology and management of belching, bloating, and flatulence. United European Gastroenterol J. 2017 Dec;5(8):1055-1065. doi: 10.1177/2050640617734131. Epub 2017 Oct 20. PMID: 29094709; PMCID: PMC5703080.
* Barrett JS. FODMAPs and the low-FODMAP diet: a review of the evidence for clinical practice. Proc Nutr Soc. 2018 Aug;77(3):288-297. doi: 10.1017/S002966511800096X. Epub 2018 Jul 24. PMID: 30040893.
* Shah K, Triantafyllou K, Pimentel M. The Role of the Gut Microbiota in the Pathogenesis of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2020 Dec;49(4):721-730. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2020.08.006. Epub 2020 Nov 3. PMID: 33261230.
* Drossman DA. Irritable bowel syndrome: diagnosis and management of the irritable bowel. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2018 Jun;47(2):209-218. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2018.01.002. Epub 2018 Apr 11. PMID: 29840212.
Q.
Gas-X Not Working? Why Your Gut Is Swelling & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
If Gas-X isn’t helping, your bloating likely isn’t just trapped gas; more common causes include constipation, food intolerances, IBS, swallowed air, and hormonal shifts, with uncommon but serious issues also possible. Medically approved next steps include assessing triggers, adding water and fiber gradually, gentle activity, and targeted OTCs like stool softeners or lactase, with a doctor visit for persistent symptoms or any red flags such as severe pain, vomiting, blood in stool, weight loss, or a hard, painful abdomen. There are several factors to consider; see the complete guidance below for important details that could change your next steps.
References:
* Lacy BE, Cangemi JR. Diagnosis and Management of Abdominal Bloating and Distension. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2018 Feb;14(2):83-92. PMID: 29440939.
* Pimentel M, Lembo A, Chey WD, et al. Irritable bowel syndrome with bloating: diagnosis and treatment. Am J Gastroenterol. 2023 Dec 22. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002660. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38135061.
* Gibson PR. Dietary Interventions in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Jul;32 Suppl 1:32-41. doi: 10.1111/jgh.13697. PMID: 28401569.
* van Veldhuisen LDG, van Eekeren PLJ, de Vries TW, Benninga MA. Pharmacological Treatments for Functional Abdominal Bloating and Distension. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jul 21;12:656121. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.656121. PMID: 34366750.
* Iribarren C, Guallar E, et al. Effectiveness of Simethicone for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Systematic Review. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022 Nov 1;56(10):849-858. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001712. PMID: 35905206.
Q.
How Much Can Your Body Actually "Hold"? The Truth About Chronic Bloating and Transit Time
A.
In healthy adults, digestion takes about 24 to 72 hours, the colon can comfortably hold several pounds of stool and gas, normal bowel patterns range from three times a day to three times a week, and most people pass 1 to 4 liters of gas daily. Bloating usually reflects sensitivity or slowed transit rather than large buildups or years of toxic waste, but there are several factors and important red flags to consider, so see below for detailed causes, what is normal versus not, and step-by-step guidance on when to seek care and how to improve symptoms.
References:
* Lacy BE, Patel NK, Levenick JM, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of polyethylene glycol for functional constipation and bloating. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Jan;39(1):97-107. doi: 10.1111/apt.12543. PMID: 24279717.
* Stasi C, De Giorgio R, Stanghellini V. Intestinal Gas and Bloating: Pathophysiology and Treatment. Dig Dis. 2021;39(3):284-290. doi: 10.1159/000511855. Epub 2021 Jan 12. PMID: 33434931.
* Maish M, Parkman HP. Bloating: what's new in diagnosis and management. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2023 Mar 1;39(2):162-168. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000918. Epub 2023 Jan 24. PMID: 36706019.
* Tack J, Van Oudenhove L, Carbone F. Chronic Bloating and Distention in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Jul 1;117(7):1059-1065. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001799. PMID: 35748281.
* Camilleri M. Peripheral mechanisms in irritable bowel syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2012 Sep 27;367(13):1228-36. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1207185. PMID: 23013289.
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