Flatulence Care in Grand Rapids, MI

Flatulence, commonly called “passing gas” or “farting,” is a normal part of digestion. It happens when gas builds up in the bowel and is released through the anus. Most adults produce between 500 and 2,000 milliliters of gas per day and pass gas around 10–20 times daily.

For most people in Grand Rapids, MI, flatulence is harmless. However, frequent, painful, or very smelly gas can be embarrassing and may sometimes signal a digestive issue that should be checked by a healthcare provider at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or another local clinic.

What Is Flatulence?

“Flatus” is the medical term for gas passed from the bowel. It is made up of several gases, including:

  • Nitrogen
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Methane
  • Small amounts of hydrogen and sulfur-containing gases

The smell of gas depends on the mix of gases produced, which is strongly influenced by:

  • The foods you eat
  • How well you digest certain carbohydrates
  • The types of bacteria living in your intestines

In Grand Rapids, where diets can be heavy in dairy, comfort foods, and seasonal produce, certain food patterns may increase gas for some people.

Is Passing Gas Normal?

Yes. Passing gas is a normal and healthy part of digestion.

  • Some people pass gas only a few times per day
  • Others may pass gas up to 30–40 times per day
  • The average is around 15 times daily

Symptoms of excessive or bothersome flatulence can include:

  • Frequent passing of gas
  • Loud gas
  • Strong or foul-smelling gas
  • Abdominal rumbling, bloating, or discomfort

If gas is accompanied by weight loss, blood in stool, severe abdominal pain, fever, or changes in bowel habits, you should see a doctor in Grand Rapids promptly.

Why Intestinal Gas Happens

1. Swallowed Air

We all swallow small amounts of air when we:

  • Eat or drink quickly
  • Talk while eating
  • Chew gum
  • Smoke
  • Drink carbonated beverages

Most swallowed air is absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine. The rest continues through the bowel and is released as gas.

People who are anxious or who hyperventilate may swallow more air, which can increase gas and belching.

2. Normal Digestion and Stomach Acid

When food leaves the stomach, it mixes with pancreatic juices in the small intestine. These secretions neutralize stomach acid, and this chemical reaction can create carbon dioxide gas as a by-product. Most of this gas is absorbed, but some continues down the intestine.

3. Intestinal Bacteria (Gut Microbiome)

Your colon (large intestine) contains trillions of bacteria that help break down food your body can’t digest on its own. This process, called fermentation, produces gas.

  • Some of this gas is absorbed into the bloodstream and exhaled through the lungs
  • The rest is passed as flatulence

The types of bacteria in your gut and the foods you eat determine how much and what kind of gas is produced.

High-Fiber Foods and Gas

Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system, but it can also increase gas—especially if you increase fiber intake too quickly.

High-fiber foods include:

  • Whole grains
  • Legumes (beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans)
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Fruits and vegetables

In Grand Rapids, common fiber-rich foods like beans in chili, whole-grain breads, and winter vegetables (like Brussels sprouts and cabbage) can all increase gas.

Tip: If you’re adding more fiber to your diet (for example, to help with constipation in the dry indoor air of Michigan winters), increase it gradually over several weeks and drink plenty of water.

Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Products

Lactose is the main sugar in cow’s milk and many dairy products. Lactose intolerance occurs when your body does not produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose.

Undigested lactose passes into the colon, where bacteria ferment it, producing gas.

Common symptoms include:

  • Gas and bloating
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea after consuming milk or dairy

This can be common in adults in West Michigan and may be more noticeable when people drink more hot chocolate, lattes, or creamy soups during cold Grand Rapids winters.

FODMAPs and Gas Production

Some people are sensitive to a group of short-chain carbohydrates known as FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols). These are found in a wide variety of foods, including:

  • Lactose (milk, soft cheeses, ice cream)
  • Fructose (honey, high-fructose corn syrup, some fruits)
  • Fructans (wheat, garlic, onions)
  • Galactans (beans, lentils, chickpeas)
  • Polyols (sorbitol, mannitol, found in some sugar-free gums and candies)

When these carbohydrates are poorly absorbed in the small intestine, they move into the colon, where bacteria ferment them—creating gas, bloating, and sometimes diarrhea.

Local gastroenterologists in Grand Rapids, including those at Spectrum Health and Metro Health, often use a low-FODMAP diet short-term to help diagnose and manage conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Common Complaints with Flatulence

Loud Gas

Loud flatulence happens when gas is forced quickly through the tight ring of muscle at the anus (the anal sphincter).

Suggestions:

  • Try to pass gas gently instead of straining
  • Reduce the amount of gas produced by making dietary changes
  • Avoid gulping air (eat slowly, limit carbonated drinks, avoid chewing gum)

Smelly Gas

The odor of gas is usually due to sulfur-containing gases produced by bacteria in the colon.

Foods that commonly worsen odor include:

  • Garlic and onions
  • Spicy foods
  • Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli
  • Beer and some other alcoholic drinks

Limiting these foods may help reduce odor, especially before social or professional events in Grand Rapids.

Excessive Gas and Bloating

Excessive gas can be caused by:

  • Swallowing air
  • High-fiber or high-FODMAP foods
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Other digestive disorders

If you feel constantly bloated or uncomfortable, or your clothing feels tight around the abdomen, consider talking to your primary care provider or a gastroenterologist in Grand Rapids.

Foods That Commonly Increase Flatulence

You don’t need to completely avoid these foods, as many are very nutritious. However, limiting them or adjusting portion sizes may help reduce gas:

  • Dairy products (if lactose intolerant):

    • Milk, ice cream, soft cheeses, some yogurts

  • Dried fruits:

    • Raisins, prunes

  • Certain fresh fruits:

    • Apples, pears, peaches, apricots

  • High-insoluble-fiber foods:

    • Bran, seeds, husks

  • Legumes:

    • Beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, some nuts

  • Gas-producing vegetables:

    • Cabbage
    • Brussels sprouts
    • Onions
    • Cauliflower
    • Broccoli

  • Sugar alcohols and some laxatives:

    • Sorbitol (in sugar-free gum, candies, some medications)
    • Lactulose and some fiber preparations

Laxatives should not be used regularly unless advised by a healthcare provider. In Grand Rapids, you can discuss safe laxative use with your doctor, pharmacist, or a dietitian at local health systems.

Tips to Reduce Intestinal Gas

1. Adjust Your Diet

  • Limit common gas culprits (beans, cabbage, onions, garlic, beer, very spicy foods)
  • Don’t suddenly increase your fiber intake; increase slowly over several weeks
  • If you suspect lactose intolerance, reduce milk and dairy or try lactose-free products
  • Watch your intake of high-FODMAP foods if you notice a pattern of gas and bloating

2. Eat and Drink Differently

  • Eat slowly and chew thoroughly
  • Avoid talking with your mouth full
  • Reduce carbonated drinks (soda, sparkling water, beer)
  • Avoid chewing gum and hard candies that increase swallowed air

3. Consider Over-the-Counter Options

After discussing with your provider or pharmacist, you may consider:

  • Activated charcoal products
  • Simethicone-based anti-gas medications
  • Lactase enzyme tablets (for lactose intolerance)

Always follow package directions and ask a Grand Rapids pharmacist or provider if you’re unsure.

4. Stay Active

Regular physical activity helps move gas through the intestines more quickly, reducing bloating and discomfort. Even indoor walking at local Grand Rapids malls or fitness centers can help during icy winter months.

When to Seek Medical Advice in Grand Rapids

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience:

  • New or unusual flatulence
  • Persistent or severe abdominal pain
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Blood in your stool or black, tarry stools
  • Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Gas associated with significant anxiety, distress, or social avoidance

You can start with:

  • Your primary care provider at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • A gastroenterologist (digestive specialist)
  • A registered dietitian for help with diet and FODMAP planning

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance can be diagnosed by:

  • Breath hydrogen test
  • In some cases, a small intestine biopsy done with an endoscope (a thin flexible tube with a camera), usually performed by a gastroenterologist under sedation

These tests are available through major hospital systems in Grand Rapids.

FODMAP Intolerance

Intolerance to certain short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs) can also be evaluated with:

  • Breath hydrogen tests using specific test carbohydrates
  • A supervised low-FODMAP diet, usually guided by a dietitian

Breath tests involve drinking a test solution and then providing breath samples over 2–3 hours to see if abnormal fermentation (gas production) is occurring.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Other Disorders

IBS and other digestive conditions can cause:

  • Excessive gas
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal pain
  • Changes in bowel habits

Your provider may recommend:

  • Blood tests
  • Stool tests
  • Imaging (such as ultrasound or CT scan)
  • Endoscopy or colonoscopy

These services are offered through local Grand Rapids hospitals and specialty clinics.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you’re concerned about flatulence, digestion, or nutrition, you can access:

  • Primary care clinics at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
  • Gastroenterology clinics for evaluation of IBS, lactose intolerance, and other digestive issues
  • Registered dietitians at local health systems for help with low-FODMAP diets, lactose intolerance, and healthy meal planning
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for community health information, nutrition resources, and referrals

Key Takeaways

  • Flatulence (passing gas) is a normal part of digestion and usually not a sign of serious disease.
  • Excessive, loud, or smelly gas is often related to diet, swallowed air, lactose intolerance, or FODMAP sensitivity.
  • Gradual dietary changes, reduced air swallowing, and certain over-the-counter products can help manage symptoms.
  • Do not eliminate entire food groups without guidance, as many gas-producing foods are important for overall health.
  • See a Grand Rapids healthcare provider if gas is new, severe, painful, or associated with other concerning symptoms.

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and are worried about flatulence or ongoing digestive discomfort, schedule an appointment with your local primary care provider or a gastroenterologist to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.