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Causes of Excessive Bowel Gas

The average person passes between 1 pint and 4 pints of digestive gas each day. Passing gas is your body's natural way of eliminating air from your stomach or passing the remaining gaseous bacteria from your digested food. Eliminating digestive gas completely would be unhealthy, but avoiding certain foods and adhering to eating habits can prevent excessive flatulence.

  1. Foods

    • Gas-causing foods affect each person differently. Some people may produce more gas after eating broccoli and cabbage, while others experience a similar increase after eating more-processed foods. The categories of foods associated with excess gas include complex and refined sugars, such as fruit, milk and whole grains. High-protein and low-fat foods typically produce little gas. Try keeping a food journal and note when you experience excess gas. This can help identify the source of the problem.

    Excess Air

    • When you ingest air, your body passes it through the digestive tract. Chewing gum frequently is one way to accidentally ingest more air, especially if you chew with your mouth open. Eating your food too quickly also increases your air ingestion because, as you inhale your half-chewed food, you are also inhaling additional air. Chewing naturally compresses food, forcing out excess air as if you squeezed a piece of bread. If you don't sufficiently chew your food, the air continues to your digestive tract as gas.

    Medical Conditions

    • Such medical conditions as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease can also cause excessive bowel gas. Gastrointestinal disorders typically affect multiple parts of the digestive system, including nutrient absorption and the breakdown of bacteria. A compromised digestive system can easily increase the amount of bowel gas because of an inability to properly perform the necessary digestive actions. If you are experiencing a heightened sensitivity to previously ineffectual foods or have noticed a significant change in your amount of gas, meet with your doctor to eliminate the possibility of a more-serious condition.

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