Too much farting – Why do you have excessive wind?
Passing wind is a normal part of digestion, but when it becomes excessive, smelly, or painful, it can be a sign that your gut isn’t happy. Many of my IBS clients tell me they’re embarrassed by how much gas they have and the smells and noises it makes.
It can also be painful when the gas becomes trapped, even disrupting your sleep at night.
Do you find you’re farting constantly, or that you feel full of gas but can’t release it? The difference can help point to what’s going on in your gut.
NB: If your wind is new, severe, or accompanied by weight loss, blood in the stool, or changes in your bowel habit, it’s important to check in with your GP first.
What causes excessive gas or wind?
Gas forms naturally when bacteria in your gut ferment undigested food. But if you’re producing more than normal, or if it smells particularly strong, it usually means something in the digestive process isn’t working smoothly. Some of the common causes include:
Swallowed air
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Eating or drinking too quickly
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Talking while eating, chewing gum, or smoking
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Fizzy drinks or drinking through a straw
Fast transit
Frequent loose stools or diarrhoea could indicate a fast transit through the gut. The quick fermentation of foods can create the smells. This might be triggered by alcohol, fat malabsorption, or food intolerance.
Gut fermentation
An imbalance of gut microbes can lead to more gas production.
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FODMAP carbohydrates that ferment and create gas
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SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
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Food intolerances like lactose or fructose
Constipation
When stool sits in the colon too long, bacteria have more time to ferment food, creating excess wind and odour.
Managing excess wind
Is this you?
- Gym sessions can be embarrassing so you spend time releasing gas before each session
- Work meetings make you scared your digestion will disrupt the quiet
- You need to air out the bathroom after a bowel movement
Some people avoid socialising due to worry about noisy digestion or smells, so it can affect your whole life.
What your farts might be telling you
The smell and frequency of your farts can give clues as to your cause.
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Frequent, odourless gas often points to swallowed air or fizzy drinks.
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Very smelly gas (think rotten egg or sulphur smell) can be linked to bacterial overgrowth, high sulphur foods, or poor fat digestion.
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Painful trapped wind can happen when gas can’t move through easily, often due to constipation.
Everyone produces gas, usually around 10–20 times a day, but if it’s interfering with your life, that’s a sign your digestion needs support.
Foods and farts
Certain foods naturally produce more wind, especially those rich in FODMAPs (fermentable carbohydrates). Beans, lentils, onions, garlic, cauliflower, apples, and some dairy products are common triggers.
The low FODMAP diet can be a useful short-term approach to figure out which foods are causing your symptoms. But remember: the goal isn’t to avoid all gas forever.
Some wind is healthy sign of good gut bacteria metabolising healthy fibres. Your excessive gas shouldn’t be disrupting your life.
What makes farts smell?
Why do my farts smell like rotten eggs? The components making farts smell bad are most likely hydrogen sulphide, produced by gut bacteria.
Why do my farts smell like stale cabbage? Slower transit and more methane producing microbes in the small or large intestine can lead to smelly gas, but with a more rotting vegetable smell.
What you can do next
❌ Myth: Everyone with IBS just has to live with constant wind
✅ Reality: It’s possible to reduce noisy digestion, smelly farts and uncomfortable bloating through diet and lifestyle changes.
Whilst gas is a common feature of IBS and SIBO, there are things you can do to lessen your symptoms.
