Flatulence

About flatulence 

Passing wind is usually nothing to worry about. Everyone passes wind, some people more than others. The average is five to 15 times a day.

What's normal is different for everyone. If you notice a change or it's affecting your life, there are things you can do.

How to cut down excessive or smelly wind

There are things you can do to help cut down excessive or smelly wind. These include:

• eating smaller meals, more often
• drinking or chewing food slowly
• exercising to improve how your body digests food
• eating a healthy, balanced diet
• drinking peppermint tea
• not chewing gum, smoking, or sucking pen tops or hard sweets to avoid swallowing air
• not wearing loose-fitting dentures
• not eating too many foods that are difficult to digest and make you pass wind

Getting help from a pharmacist  

You can speak to a pharmacist if you are concerned about excessive or smelly wind.

They might be able to suggest if:

• you can buy something to help – for example, charcoal tablets or special underwear and pads that absorb smells
• you should see a GP

When to see a GP 

You should see your GP if:

• self help and pharmacy treatments haven't worked and flatulence is affecting your life
• you've got a stomach ache or bloating that won't go away or comes back
• you keep getting constipation or diarrhoea
• you've lost weight without trying
• there's blood in your poo
• you have signs of an infection, like a very high temperature or feeling hot and shivery

Causes of excessive or smelly wind 

Excessive or smelly wind can be caused when you swallow air or eat foods that are difficult to digest. It can also sometimes be a sign of a health condition.

Don't self-diagnose. See your GP if you're worried about flatulence.

There are symptoms of excessive or smelly wind that are linked to a number of health conditions. These include:

• difficulty pooing - possible cause - constipation
• bloating, stomach pain with diarrhoea or constipation that comes and goes - possible cause - irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea and stomach pain - possible cause - coeliac disease
• diarrhoea, bloating, stomach pain, feeling sick - possible cause - lactose intolerance

Excessive or smelly wind can also be a side effect of some medicines, including:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), like ibuprofen
• some laxatives
• antifungal medicines
• statin drugs used to treat high cholesterol

You shouldn’t stop or change your medication without speaking to your GP first.

• Flatulence

More useful links

• How to use your health services