Complications and Risks of Flatulence

Flatulence itself is harmless and rarely causes complications. The concern is what an unusual pattern might point to, and the impact on daily life.

Effects of excess gas

• Abdominal discomfort and bloating
• Social embarrassment or anxiety, which can lead people to avoid eating out or social events
• Sleep disturbance from cramps
• Skin irritation around the anus after frequent loose stool, in some cases

Possible underlying conditions

Persistent excessive gas can signal a condition that needs treatment:

• Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Coeliac disease, which can cause anaemia and nutrient deficiency if untreated
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Chronic constipation
• Gut infections
• Rarely, bowel obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer

Warning signs

See a doctor promptly for:

• Blood in the stool or black stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent vomiting
• Severe or worsening abdominal pain
• Fever
• A swollen, hard abdomen with no passage of gas or stool
• A change in bowel habit lasting several weeks, especially over age 50

Emergency

Severe belly pain with vomiting and no passage of gas or stool can mean bowel obstruction and needs urgent care. Call 112 or 102.

Chest pain is not gas

Chest pain, pressure, sweating or breathlessness may be a heart attack. Call 112 or 102.

Reducing risk

Good eating habits, trigger-food awareness, treating constipation and getting symptoms checked when they change all lower the chance of missing a more serious cause.