Farting (flatulence)

Farting is usually nothing to worry about. Everyone farts, some people more than others.

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

• eat smaller meals, more often

• drink or chew food slowly, with your mouth closed

• exercise regularly to improve how your body digests food

• drink peppermint tea

• do not eat too many foods that are difficult to digest and make you fart

• do not drink too much beer, wine or fruit juice

• do not smoke or chew gum

• cabbage
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• brussels sprouts
• pulses, like beans or lentils
• dried fruit, like raisins or apricots
• onions
• food or drinks containing the sweetener sorbitol
• fizzy drinks and beer

Speak to a pharmacist about excessive or smelly farts.

They might be able to tell you:

• if you can buy something to help – for example, medicines such as simeticone or special underwear and pads that absorb smells
• if you should see a GP

• farting is affecting your life and self-help and pharmacy treatments have not worked
• you have a stomach ache or bloating that will not go away or comes back
• you keep getting constipation or diarrhoea
• you have lost weight without trying
• you've had blood in your poo

Excessive or smelly farts 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.

Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried about your farting.

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
• statins

Do not stop or change your medicine without speaking to a GP first.

Farting is often due to swallowing air or eating food that is hard to digest. It can also be caused by medicines or conditions like coeliac disease.

It's normal to fart several times a day. It's only a problem if you notice a change, such as farting more than usual, or it's affecting your life.

If farting is a problem for you, it can help to eat smaller meals, chew food slowly and avoid food that makes you fart, such as cabbage or onions.