Holding in farts often occurs when you're at a social event or in public settings. While occasionally holding in a fart may be harmless, what if this becomes a regular habit? Let’s explore what happens when this occurs.

Why Do We Fart?

Our bodies naturally produce gas during the digestive process each day. This gas needs to be expelled, and it typically leaves the body either through the anus, as a fart, or through the mouth, as a burp.

Farting can also be caused by factors other than digestion, such as:

• Swallowed air: We all swallow air throughout the day, whether from drinking carbonated beverages or chewing food. Certain medical conditions may lead to excessive swallowing of air, which can be uncomfortable.
• Gut bacteria: The bacteria in your digestive tract (the microbiome) assist in breaking down food. This process produces gases like hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
• Dietary changes: Increasing your intake of fiber-rich foods can make your gut bacteria work harder to digest the fiber, often resulting in more gas production.

Is It Okay to Hold in Farts?

Farting is a completely natural bodily function. On average, a person farts between 5 to 23 times a day. While some may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable releasing gas in public, they may choose to hold it until a more appropriate time.

When you fart, gas moves from your intestines into your rectum, eventually being released through the anus. Holding in a fart involves tightening the anal sphincter muscles that surround the anus and rectum. These muscles allow you to control the release of gas and stool.

By clenching your sphincter muscles to hold in gas, pressure builds within your digestive system. As a result, you might temporarily feel:

• Pain
• Bloating
• Discomfort
• Gurgling or bubbling sensations in your digestive system

Gas that remains in your body is absorbed into your bloodstream and eventually exits when you exhale. However, most of the gas stays in your system and will eventually be released through farting, burping, or both.

Occasionally holding in farts is not harmful, but doing so regularly may affect the digestive system.

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

If your farting frequency increases to more than 25 times per day, it’s time to see a doctor. You should also seek medical advice if excessive farting is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

• Changes in bowel habits
• Intense bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Blood in stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chest discomfort
• Feeling full quickly
• Loss of appetite

These symptoms could signal other digestive health concerns, including more serious conditions like cancer. If you're unsure about your digestive health, it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or use the Ai Care app, which is available for download on the App Store or Play Store.

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