You fart more at night because your body slows down, allowing gas to build up and be released as anal muscles relax during sleep, often fueled by foods eaten during the day, swallowed air, and slower digestion, making the gas more noticeable when you're finally still. It's a common process where gut bacteria ferment food, creating gas that escapes more easily when you're lying down and your sphincter relaxes.
Loud flatus – this is caused by the muscles of the bowel forcing air through the tight ring of muscle at the anus. Suggestions include passing the air with less power, and reducing the amount of intestinal gas by making dietary adjustments.
Excessive farting can be caused by: swallowing more air than usual. eating foods that are difficult to digest. conditions affecting the digestive system like indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
If gas occurs more frequently than usual, or if it's accompanied by other symptoms, like abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, or bloody stools, you should speak with your doctor. “These symptoms could be signs of a digestive disorder, such as celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease,” says Dr. Staller.
Your gut uses bacteria to break down (ferment) everything you eat and drink — and it creates gases like hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane in the process. When that process is slower — like when you're lying down at night — the bacteria and gas have more time to build up.
What is endo belly? Endo belly is a buildup of inflammation and gas inside the abdomen. It typically occurs before or during your period (menstruation). The main endo belly symptom is a painful, swollen abdomen. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation, diarrhea and nausea, are also common.
Digestive disorders that cause too much gas
Too much intestinal gas means burping or flatulence more than 20 times a day. Sometimes it indicates a disorder such as: Celiac disease. Colon cancer — cancer that starts in the part of the large intestine called the colon.
Discussion: Disaccharidase deficiency is common in adults presenting with gas, bloating, distention, and pain. Because these deficiencies are treatable with enzyme supplements or diet, an evaluation for disaccharidase deficiency should be routinely considered.
Reduce or avoid carbonated (fizzy) drinks.
If you're experiencing gas pain, avoiding carbonated beverages is a good idea. Instead, reach for water. It doesn't add air to your gut, and it also helps prevent constipation — another culprit that causes gas pain.
The Bottom Line
Gas and bloating are normal, especially after eating. But experiencing more gas at night can be a result of certain eating and drinking behaviors. Eating too fast, consuming a very large dinner or eating certain kinds of foods at night are just some of the culprits.
The intestinal gas that tends to be behind most smelly farts is hydrogen sulfide, and it is typically described as smelling like rotten eggs.
Here's what can happen if you hold in farts: Increased Pressure: The accumulation of gas may cause additional strain on your abdominal muscles, which may cause pain or discomfort. Reabsorption of Gas: You can burp if some of the gas is reabsorbed into your bloodstream and then expelled via your lungs.
The good news is fanny farts are completely normal and far more common than you think! Aside from fistulas – which require both medical and surgical treatments – a bit of trapped air poses no gynaecological risks.
Foods that can cause gas due to high fiber include whole wheat, bran, prunes, peaches, apples, pears, asparagus, artichokes, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions, and beans. You may try avoiding high-fiber foods for a week or two and gradually start to eat them again.
If you're wondering whether your digestive tract may be performing at its best, look for the following signs of a healthy gut: Regular and pain-free bowel movements. Consistent energy. Normal amount of gas and bloating.
B12 deficiency can trigger specific food cravings, most notably for meat, fish, or eggs, as the body seeks animal-based sources to replenish the vitamin, especially in those on vegetarian/vegan diets or older adults. While cravings for sugary or salty foods can also signal general B-vitamin issues, the distinct urge for protein-rich animal products is a key indicator, but professional testing is crucial for confirmation.
The most common cause of gas is swallowed air.
Each time we swallow, a small amount of air enters the stomach. The gas then travels to the small intestine where part of it is absorbed into the body. The rest of the gas travels into the colon to be passed out through the rectum (flatulence).
IBS poop varies greatly, often fluctuating between hard, lumpy, and difficult-to-pass stools (IBS-C) and loose, watery, and urgent stools (IBS-D), or alternating between both (IBS-M), sometimes with mucus present, but not blood. Shapes can range from small pellets to thin, pencil-like forms, and color might shift due to speed of passage (e.g., green/yellow for fast, darker for slow).
Gas forms in your large intestine, called the colon, when bacteria ferment certain foods that aren't digested in your small intestine. Bacteria also consume some of that gas, but the remaining gas is released when you pass gas from your anus.
People with IBD, which includes Crohn's Disease and UC, often report feeling bloated. Many also worry about excess gas and its effects, such as tummy gurgles and passing flatus (breaking wind).
Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem where the body is unable to digest lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. Symptoms of lactose intolerance usually develop within a few hours of consuming food or drink that contains lactose. They may include: flatulence (wind)
Symptoms of endometriosis may include: excessive menstrual cramps, abnormal or heavy menstrual flow and pain during intercourse. Laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, can be used to definitively diagnose and treat endometriosis.
Some people have a bloated stomach for a long period of time due to gastrointestinal tract disease, including gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal or colorectal cancer, parasitic infection, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal dysfunction, and other system disorders such as thyroid and diabetes, which can ...
“Avoiding inflammatory foods and following a low FODMAP diet is often suggested to help your intestinal tract move easily,” says Dr. Ross. As well as changes to your diet, managing endo belly can also involve medications, surgical interventions, and alternative therapies, says Dr. Sapan.