Why Are You Gassy?

Experiencing gas (also known as flatulence or farting) is a normal part of the body's digestion process. The digestive tract naturally produces gas—due to swallowing air or how food breaks down in the large intestine.

Excessive gassiness can happen for various reasons, including your diet, underlying health conditions, and the makeup of your gut bacteria.

1. Swallowed Air

Gas forms in the digestive tract mainly due to swallowed air. You naturally swallow air (known as aerophagia) throughout the day while eating, drinking, talking, and exercising.

Some people may swallow additional air through other activities, such as eating quickly, talking while eating, or chewing gum. As this extra air enters the digestive tract, it builds up in the stomach and small intestine before proceeding to the large intestine for release—leading to excess gas.

2. Diet

Certain foods may trigger excess gas production. Foods that cause additional gas include carbohydrates, starches, and high-fiber foods. These foods often take more time to digest, so extra gas is created when gut bacteria break them down.

Carbonated drinks (made with carbon dioxide bubbles) also promote gas production in the digestive tract, which could prompt more frequent gas.

3. Food Intolerance

You could be extra gassy if you eat certain foods your body cannot fully digest. This is known as a food intolerance (or food sensitivity).

Some people have food intolerances to lactose, gluten, and FODMAPs (certain carbohydrates), often resulting in additional gas. People with lactose intolerance may experience more gas after eating dairy products, while people with a fructose intolerance likely notice extra gassy symptoms after consuming fructose-containing foods, like fruit juices and honey.

4. Bacteria

The bacteria that make up your gut microbiome (bacteria that naturally live in the body) are a part of the digestion process. Sometimes, these bacteria can contribute to excess gas.

If there are carbohydrates that the small intestine can't digest fully, they eventually get broken down by bacteria in the large intestine. This process produces gas. If there's a change in the types of bacteria that normally live in your gut, or if you have too much bacteria in your small intestine, you might notice excessive gassiness.

5. Underlying Health Conditions

Being gassy can sometimes come from an underlying health condition, particularly if your gas issue is a new or frequent symptom. Some of the most common culprits that impact gas movement through the digestive tract include functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders—which affect how your brain and gut communicate—and other digestive disorders, such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Because this condition comes with symptoms like bloating and gas, people with IBS may be more prone to excessive gas—especially during periods of high stress or after eating certain foods.
  
• Constipation: When you have fewer bowel movements that are more difficult to pass, you may experience extra gas. That's because stool remaining in the large intestine for extended periods can linger with gut bacteria and release additional gas.
  
• Celiac disease: This autoimmune condition prevents the body from breaking down gluten, so excessive gas and bloating often occur after eating foods that contain this protein.
• Dyspepsia: Also known as indigestion, dyspepsia can cause chronic digestive symptoms during or after eating, including excess gas.

Other digestive disorders, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, or an intestinal blockage, can also make you feel gassy in some cases.

Is Gas Hereditary?

Genetics can sometimes play a role in excessive gas. Your gut microbiome contributes to passing gas. The exact makeup of your gut bacteria differs by person but can also run in families, so some people may be more likely to experience excessive gas due to the genetic component of their gut microbiome.

Some digestive disorders that trigger lots of gas can also be genetic, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lactose intolerance, hereditary fructose intolerance (which affects the body's ability to digest fructose), and hereditary pancreatitis (a condition that interferes with digestion).

If you have a family history of chronic gas or flatulence, you may be prone to experiencing the same symptoms.

Who Gets Gas?

Everyone gets gassy from time to time, but some people may be more likely to experience excessive gas than others. Consider these factors:

• Age: Older adults may experience extra gas due to the weakening of the muscles around the anus. Other factors like diet, health conditions, and medications can also affect the digestion process in older people.
  
• Sex: People assigned female at birth may be more likely to experience frequent gas in certain circumstances, including having one or more pregnancies, going through a menstrual period, or being post-menopausal. Flatulence can also increase in women who have IBS.
• Ethnic background: Studies suggest that people with African, Latino, Asian, or Native American ancestry may also have a greater chance of experiencing digestive symptoms like gas. While this is potentially due to higher rates of lactose intolerance in these populations, additional research is still needed to understand why gas is more common in these communities.
  

Risk Factors

You might pass gas 8-14 times per day on average. Flatulence up to 25 times a day is considered normal. Some people are more likely to have excessive gas if they have certain risk factors, such as lifestyle habits and medication use.

Lifestyle Habits

Certain lifestyle habits could increase your risk of experiencing gas and flatulence, such as if you:

• Smoke tobacco
• Chew gum
• Frequently suck on hard candy
• Drink carbonated drinks
• Wear loose-fitted dentures
• Don't get enough sleep, which can cause imbalances in your gut bacteria
• Experience excess stress, which can affect digestion
• Participate in certain exercises (like cardio or dynamic movements) that prompt intense breathing
  

Use of Certain Medications

Taking certain medications can increase your risk of experiencing excessive gas. Some medications can affect your digestion and the overall health of your digestive tract. These drugs have been known to trigger gas:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Statins (cholesterol-lowering medications)
• Antibiotics
• Laxatives
• Anti-diarrheal medications

If you think one of these drugs might be contributing to your gassiness, check with a healthcare provider before making any sudden medication changes. They can offer alternatives or adjust your dosage.

A Quick Review

Passing gas is a normal process. Gas is produced in the digestive tract when you swallow air and break down food in the intestines. Some people may experience excessive gas resulting from dietary habits, food intolerances, or underlying health conditions.

If you're experiencing excess gassiness, talk to your healthcare provider to understand what's causing your discomfort and get treatment if necessary.