What makes gas smell

If it gives you comfort, think of your clothing as a mask for your bottom. Just to be safe, keep your pants on, for all our sakes. But what causes flatulence? Why do farts smell so bad? What foods and drinks cause gas? Here are some foods associated with causing flatulence: Sugars, such as glucose table sugar , lactose milk sugar and fructose fruit sugar Beans, including black beans, kidney beans and pinto beans Beverages, such as apple juice and milk Dairy products, such as cheese and ice cream, as well as food with added lactose Fruit, such as apples, pears and prunes Sugar alcohols commonly found in sugar-free candies and gum, including sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol Vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cucumbers, onions and carrots Whole grains, including bran and whole wheat Foods that can cause smelly gas include: Asparagus Beans Cabbage Coffee Dairy products Eggs Onions Prunes "Some people have difficulty metabolizing sugars and carbs.

When should I see a doctor about flatulence? Why does having gas hurt? Does the act of farting spread germs? Fun Fart Facts Women may actually fart more than men. However, they are typically more discreet about doing it. Humans pass gas between 13 to 21 times a day.

Farts can be flammable, if they contain hydrogen and methane. Warning: Do not try to test under any circumstances. According to an NBC News report, upon release, farts can travel about 10 feet per second, or approximately 6.

A scientist who studies flatulence is called a flatologist. This is called endogenous gas. It consists mainly of oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. It can also contain small amounts of other gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, which makes gas smell bad.

Undigested carbohydrates are a common cause of gas, as the stomach and the small intestine cannot break these foods down. Instead, they move into the large intestine where bacteria begin to break them down, releasing intestinal gas in the process.

In fact, the average person produces to 1, ml of gas per day and expel it about times. Research has shown that there is no significant difference in the amount of gas that males and females pass. Another interesting fact is that people pass more gas when they are asleep. So, there is no need to ever feel ashamed of this very natural bodily process, even when it is smelly.

Talk to your doctor to get tests and determine if you have any food allergies or sensitivities that may be making your farts smell. Although uncommon, certain medications can cause smelly flatulence. Antibiotics kill off harmful pathogens in the body.

They also destroy some of the good bacteria in your stomach, which aids digestion. Without this good bacteria, your gas may smell. You could also experience bloating and constipation. Treatment for this cause involves changing medication, which you should not do without talking to your doctor first.

Constipation indicates that you have a buildup of stool , or poop, in your colon. The end result is foul-smelling and sometimes painful gas. Taking over-the-counter laxatives can be a simple home remedy for constipation. Shop for laxatives. When your body digests food, it extracts nutrients and sends them to the bloodstream.

The waste products are sent to the colon. Disrupting the digestion process can cause an overgrowth of bacteria. Some bacteria can cause infection in the intestines and digestive tract. This may cause a higher volume of gas than normal and a strong-smelling odor.

People with digestive tract infections also often have abdominal pain and diarrhea. Visit your doctor to determine if you have a bacterial infection. If you do, they will prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection and get you well. A more rare cause of smelly farts is colon cancer. When polyps or tumors form in the digestive tract, it can cause a partial bowel obstruction, which results in gas buildup and bloating.

They can determine whether a colonoscopy is warranted. Treatment for colon cancer varies based on the stage of cancer. It can include surgery to remove tumors and chemotherapy to kill cancer cells.

In most cases, having foul or odorless flatulence is no cause for alarm. However, if your gas is accompanied by irregular symptoms, you should visit a doctor immediately. Some adverse symptoms you may experience alongside smelly gas include:. Flatulence is natural and necessary to dispose of waste and gas in the body.