While having some gas is totally healthy, particularly foul-smelling or constant farts can indicate some sort of issues in the GI tract.
Here, digestion experts share eight common causes of unusually smelly farts and when to see your doctor about it. According to Dr. Ravella, super-smelly gas is often the result of eating foods rich in sulfur, which the digestive system breaks down into stinky compounds called sulfides. Two high-sulfur foods Americans eat a lot of: meat and eggs. Ever had gas that smells like rotten eggs? Other foods that can lead to sulfide-related smelly farts include garlic, sulfite-containing wines, and dried fruits preserved with sulfur dioxide, says Ferraz Valles.
FODMAPs , a family of short-chain carbohydrates found in all sorts of foods, can also cause digestive issues that stink up your gas. For sensitive people, this can lead to more—and worse-smelling—gas.
Unfortunately for sensitive stomachs, all sorts of foods contain FODMAPs, including certain fruits like watermelon and mangoes and vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts , high-fiber grains, onions, dairy, and the list goes on, says Dr. Fiber , the indigestible parts of the plants we eat, is an incredibly important part of our diet.
In addition to supporting a healthy digestive system and regular bowel movements , it also makes us feel satiated after eating, helps stabilize our blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, makes maintaining a healthy weight easier, and helps us live longer, per the Mayo Clinic. Beans and legumes, for example, are a common culprit here. Often, it takes a few weeks for the digestive system to adjust to increased fiber intake, which is why Ferraz Valles recommends gradually increasing intake to the recommended amount 25 grams a day for women under 50 and 38 grams a day for men under 50 and drinking plenty of water alongside fibrous foods like oats, apples, lentils, and berries.
Sad but true: All sorts of prescriptions, OTCs, and dietary supplements—even those meant to ease stomach issues—can affect your farts, says Ferraz Valles. NSAIDs think Advil , antacids , diarrhea medications, chemotherapy drugs, multivitamins, and fiber supplements can cause changes in flatulence frequency and odor, she says.
According to Dr Sheth, there are many reasons why your farts are foul-smelling. Here are a few that top the list:. Our gut has organisms that digest the food and convert it into a compound. During this process, certain nutrients release odour and hence lead to smelly farts. This bacterial infection is another major reason for that funky smell in our farts. Our gut contains both healthy and unhealthy bacteria. A low intake of fibre and gut-unfriendly foods leads to an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria which disrupts the nutrient absorption and affects the entire digestive process.
Antibiotics sometimes also kill the good bacteria in our gut and slow down the digestion process due to which a foul smell is produced. You could be intolerant to certain foods Gluten and lactose intolerance are common causes of smelly farts. If after eating an ice-cream or other dairy products you feel gassy then there are chances that you are lactose intolerant.
However, there are some instances where stinky farts can be an indicator of an underlying infection, digestive issues or a disorder. The good news is, stinky gas alone is usually nothing to worry about. It is a normal part of our bodily functions and is even necessary to dispose of the waste and gas we produce. However, if you have other irregular signs and symptoms you should get them checked out immediately.
Talk to your doctor if you have fever, weight loss, blood in your stool, diarrhea, constipation, a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer or any other questions and concerns.
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