Holding in a fart could be worse than you think; here's why doctors warn
Every swallow of food or water brings a little air with it, and intestinal bacteria add more gas while breaking down carbohydrates. Under normal circumstances, the body vents that buildup eight to twenty-five times a day, a range gastroenterologists call completely healthy.
Suppressing a release means the gas must either find another exit—sometimes upward as a burp—or linger until pressure forces it out later.
Short-term consequences of 'holding farts'
Board-certified internists interviewed by Medical News Today note that resisting the urge is seldom dangerous, but it can feel miserable. As trapped gas expands, the bowel wall stretches, triggering bloating, cramping, and that unmistakable abdominal 'tightness' many airline passengers know too well.
In most people, the discomfort fades once they finally pass gas. According to Medical News Today, rarely, a small portion of the gas diffuses into the bloodstream, travels to the lungs, and leaves the body when you exhale—an odd but harmless detour.
Long-term risks of
holding farts
: Here's what science says
Despite persistent social myths, research has yet to show that chronic gas suppression leads to cancer, colon damage, or other lasting harm. A 2022 study published in
BMC Gastroenterology
even debunked an older theory that reabsorbed gas might cause bad breath; no correlation appeared among patients with digestive disorders.
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Physicians, therefore, frame the habit as a quality-of-life issue: it heightens pain, pressure, and embarrassing audible releases later, but it does not scar the bowel.
Situations where holding in fart can be a warning sign
One exception involves people recovering from abdominal surgery. Surgeons closely monitor for postoperative ileus, a complication in which the intestines fail to contract and move normally. In that setting, an inability to fart is not a social triumph but a red flag that demands immediate evaluation.
For the average healthy adult, though, pain with persistent bloating may point to lactose intolerance, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth—conditions worth bringing to a clinician rather than masking with endless restraint.
Better strategies than forced suppression
Doctors interviewed by Verywell Health and Medical News Today converge on three evidence-based tactics. First, adjust diet: trim large portions of beans, cruciferous vegetables, and high-FODMAP sweeteners if they trigger excessive gas, or use lactase and alpha-galactosidase enzymes when avoidance is impractical.
Second, slow eating and skip gum to reduce swallowed air. Third, exercise—especially a ten-minute walk after meals—to stimulate intestinal motility and release gas naturally before pressure builds.
Probiotics may also help; small trials show certain strains reduce methane-producing bacteria linked to bloating.
When to seek professional care
Occasional discomfort after holding in a fart is normal, but medical attention is warranted if gas accompanies prolonged abdominal pain, sudden weight loss, vomiting, bloody stools, or fever.
Such red-flag symptoms can signal inflammatory bowel disease, obstruction, or even cardiac problems that masquerade as gas.
Passing gas is a routine bodily function, and forcing it to stay put mainly buys short-lived relief at the cost of cramping and later embarrassment. No reputable study links the habit to severe disease, yet recurring pain should prompt a deeper look at diet and gut health. The simplest prescription from gastrointestinal specialists echoes common sense: find a discreet place when you need to release, then let biology do its job.
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