Flatulence (Farting) In Teens: Causes And Foods To Reduce

Passage of gas from the digestive tract is referred to as flatulence. Though it is normal in adults, flatulence (farting) in teens can leave them embarrassed and even amused. However, studies say that farting is a usual phenomenon. In fact, the average number of times an individual passes wind is five to 15 times in a day (1). Read this post to know about the foods, medications, and other factors that cause excessive farting in teens and how to deal with it.

What Causes Farting?

The digestion of food can cause the formation of gases within the digestive tract. Also, a small amount of air is swallowed with food, water, or saliva. These gases are relieved from the digestive system through belching (burping) or flatulence (farting).

The following are the various reasons for flatulence in people, including teens (2) (3) (4).

• Swallowing excess air: One common cause of excessive farting is swallowing too much air. It happens when you eat quickly, don’t chew well, smoke, chew gum, or have habits like sucking on pens.
• Foods and drinks: Some veggies, fruits, grains, pulses, and dairy contain carbs that the body can’t fully digest. When these carbs reach the large intestine undigested, bacteria break them down through fermentation. This process releases gas directly or through interactions with other bacteria in the gut (5). Carbonated beverages are often associated with gas, but they are more likely to cause burping than flatulence.
• Medications: Some medicines can cause increased gas, bloating, or flatulence. For example, antibiotics can disrupt gut bacteria balance, leading to bloating. Similarly, pain relievers like ibuprofen may irritate the stomach lining, whereas statins might slow down digestion, leading to gas buildup (6).
• Health conditions: Constipation can cause the gas to get trapped in the intestines. Digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and celiac disease can affect gut movement, leading to poor digestion and increased gas production. Malabsorption disorders hinder proper nutrient absorption, leading to excess gas in the gut. Gastroenteritis and parasitic infections like giardiasis can also cause excessive gas due to inflammation and irritation of the digestive system (7).

Below is a table outlining the different factors that can cause flatulence in teenagers.

Quick fact

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, or coffee creamers may also cause flatulence in teenagers (8).

If your teen has flatulence due to medications, discuss with a pediatrician, who may prescribe alternative medicines.

What Makes Farts Smell?

The passed gas could sometimes have a bad smell due to the presence of sulfur compounds.

Foods high in sulfur, such as broccoli, cabbage, onion, and garlic, may lead to smelly flatulence. Bacteria in the digestive tract also produce gases during digestion. These gases could have sulfur compounds (6). The type of food eaten and the bacterial composition in the digestive tract can influence the smelliness of flatulence.

The sulfur compounds account for only 1% of gas, and the remaining is made of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane (9).

According to research, “Less than 1% of the intestinal gas (ammonia, skatole, hydrogen sulfide) is malodorous. The other gases (nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, oxygen) are odorless. The gases are produced by E. coli and other bacteria fermenting oligosaccharides that originate from milk products, bread, fruits, and vegetables, especially beans (10).” Hence, it is normal for gas to smell and is seldom a cause for concern.

Did you know?

Farting may occur due to health conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, and diverticulosis, which cause excess gas production (8).

When To See A Doctor?

Consult a general practitioner if your teen complains of increased farting and is frequently passing smelly gas. Visit a doctor if the teen has recurring episodes of any of the following signs or symptoms along with flatulence (9).

• Diarrhea

• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Bowel incontinence
• Blood in feces
• High fever
• Vomiting
• Chills
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches

These issues may indicate digestive or other health problems, and a doctor may order tests for an exact diagnosis.

Point to consider

Medical guidance is vital if a teen experiences sudden, unexplained weight loss, anemia, or the urge to pass stool even after having a bowel movement (8).

How To Avoid Excessive Farting?

The following changes in your teenager’s diet and lifestyle could help reduce excessive gas formation (11).

• Eat small portions meals frequently
• Chew food and drink slowly
• Avoid sugar-free chewing gums, candies, etc.
• Have regular physical activity
• Avoid gas-causing foods
• Sit up straight after eating to help digestion and prevent gas buildup
• If you wear dentures, ensure they fit correctly, as a poor fit can cause you to swallow excess air 
• Consume beverages at room-temperature as they are easy to digest
• Manage stress and anxiety (12)
• Quit smoking

You may consider child-safe natural remedies or over-the-counter medications for flatulence after consulting your doctor. Herbs like fennel, peppermint tea, chamomile tea, anise, and spices such as turmeric, caraway, and coriander may help reduce gas buildup. If you prefer over-the-counter solutions, products like simethicone, activated charcoal, Pepto-Bismol, Lactase enzyme supplements, and Beano may aid the digestion of gas-producing foods (11). However, dietary or lifestyle factors can provide relief without medications. If farting persists and you are concerned, then see a doctor.

What Foods Reduce Farting In Teens?

A healthy balanced diet with adequate fiber could help reduce excessive farting. Although fiber-rich foods may cause bloating in some teens, it is essential to eat about five portions of vegetables and fruits in a day.

Certain foods with easily digestible carbohydrates tend to produce less gas than others and can be natural and effective flatulence remedies. The inclusion of these foods may help provide the teen relief from excessive flatulence (13).

• Rice
• Potatoes and sweet potatoes
• Bananas
• Grapes
• Sugar-free yogurt
• Citrus fruits
• Gluten-free foods
• Leafy vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce
• Vegetables, such as tomatoes and zucchini

Point to consider

Digestive enzymes, such as lactase supplements, may help digest carbohydrates and allow individuals to eat foods that usually cause gas (13).

It is not necessary that the same set of foods lead to flatulence commonly or provide relief. For instance, yogurt could ease gas in some teens but could worsen it in those with lactose intolerance. Therefore, you may ask your teen to note down the foods they have eaten on days when flatulence is more than normal. Next time, they may avoid or reduce the intake of such foods.

Infographic: What Is The Treatment For Excessive Flatulence In Teens?

Occasional excessive intestinal gasses can be treated at home with home remedies and OTC medications. Persistent gasses require medical care and prescription medications, especially if unrelated to dietary factors. Go through the infographic to learn some common treatments for excessive flatulence in teens.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Dr. Pooja ParikhMBBS, DCH, DNB

Dr. Pooja Parikh is a pediatrician with 11 years of experience in the field. Her medical journey has taken her from Rajkot (PDUMC) to Vadodara (SSGH) to Mumbai (Hinduja & Breach Candy Hospital). Currently, she is actively involved in critical, intensive, and general care of 0 to 18-year-olds in the port town of Gandhidham, where she was born and brought up.

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Dr Bisny T. JosephMedical Doctor

Dr. Bisny T. Joseph is a Georgian Board-certified physician. She has completed her professional graduate degree as a medical doctor from Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia. She has around 5 years of experience in various sectors of medical affairs as a physician, medical reviewer, medical writer, health coach, and Q&A expert.

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Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Anindita GhatakB.Tech

Anindita Ghatak holds a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology from Amity University, Kolkata. During the course of her studies, she has worked on different research projects in the fields of Microbiology and Bioinformatics. Anindita has over three years of experience writing medical articles for journals.

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