No matter what you tell your SO, farting on a regular basis is pretty much a given. In fact, if you’re like most people, he probably does it several times a day.
But if you seem to be tooting more than usual, it’s natural to wonder if you’re doing too much in the gas department. As it turns out, there’s probably more to what is considered “normal” for gas to pass than you think.
The average person’s gastrointestinal tract holds about 0.5 to 1.5 liters of gas each day, says Dr. Kyle Starrer, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. However, the actual amount of gas released by farts varies from person to person, and it is difficult for doctors to give an accurate figure.
There’s a common belief that men tend to have more gas than women, but that’s a complete myth. “Studies have not shown that gas production differs by gender,” Lashner says. Women and men alike can toot up to 20 times a day, but it’s still considered within the “normal” range, Staler added. “It’s very common for all of us,” he added.
Wait, 20 times a day? Now you may be thinking, “Well, sure I don’t fart that much.” But oh yeah. It turns out that we all emit gas not only when we are awake, but also when we doze off. After all, it’s a reflex. Again, the exact amount you fart at night varies from person to person, but unless your nighttime farts are bad enough to wake you or your bedmate, Stahler says you probably don’t need to worry. say.
We asked men and women what they thought about farting in relationships. Learn what they have to say:
Why are you so gassy?
According to gastroenterologist Dr. Ashkan Farhadi, we all develop gas in one of two ways. This can be caused by swallowing air (think chewing gum or using a straw) or by bacteria in the intestines expelling gas after sniffing food in the digestive tract, says gastroenterologist Ashkan. Dr. Farhadi says: She is employed at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center and Director of the Digestive Disease Project at MemorialCare Medical Group in Fountain Valley, California.
“The most common reason why the body produces excess gas is because it can’t be absorbed or digested,” he says. When the body can’t absorb or digest certain nutrients, they make their way to the colon, where the natural bacteria that live there go wild and produce more gas, Stahler explains. (Incidentally, that bacteria is harmless and helps digest food, says Brett Lashner, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic.)
Of course, there are several reasons why you might be farting more than average. If you’re suffering from gas problems that are affecting your life, it’s natural to want to know what’s causing them. Although triggers are different for everyone, Stahler says there are a few things that tend to cause problems for most people.
Currently, FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are attracting a lot of attention as gas-generating compounds. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that are found in many foods, including healthy foods like vegetables and dairy products. It also avoids digestion in the stomach and small intestine and is instead digested by bacteria in the large intestine, which can cause excess gas in people with sensitivities. If you notice that you’re farting more than usual, look for such ingredients in your diet, try and eliminate them, and see if it makes a difference, says Farhadi. says Mr. (Learn about the low FODMAP diet to reduce bloating.)
If all else fails and the gas is affecting your quality of life, seek medical help. “If it’s bothersome or you can’t reasonably control it, talk to your doctor,” Stahler says.
Colin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, and his work has appeared in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. It is published. She earned her master’s degree from American University, lives near the beach, and hopes to one day own a teacup pig and taco truck.
