Farting in Sleep: Causes and How to Stop (2024)

Can You Fart in Your Sleep?

People commonly fart in their sleep, although they usually are not aware of it. Research suggests pressure in the anal sphincter muscle fluctuates in cycles throughout the day. This muscle is more relaxed during sleep, and it controls whether or not gas present in the large intestine is released. This muscle also spontaneously relaxes multiple times per hour in the morning. As a result, passing gas overnight or in the morning is common.

If you want to fart less during the night, it helps to understand what gas is, why humans pass gas, and what factors lead to excessive gas. By making lifestyle changes or addressing underlying health issues, you may be able to reduce your nighttime or morning flatulence.

What’s Causing Farting During Sleep?

People fart in their sleep for the same reasons they fart while awake. Gas found in the intestines comes from three sources Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source : air being swallowed, stomach acid becoming neutralized, and bacteria in the intestines creating hydrogen and methane.

This air can exit as flatulence or belching Trusted Source American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)The ACG is a professional organization working to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive disorders.View Source . Gases created by intestinal bacteria generally account for about 75% of flatulence. This gas may be expelled at any time, while a person is awake or asleep.

Although everyone experiences gas, certain individual factors impact how much gas a person’s body creates.

Foods and Drinks

Consuming certain foods and drinks make your body more likely to produce gas Trusted Source Medline PlusMedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.View Source . Researchers call these foods flatulogenic Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source , because they increase flatulence. Foods that may increase gas include:

• Artificial sweeteners
• Carbonated drinks, like soda and sparkling water
• Beans, soy beans, corn, and peas
• Breads, cereals, and pastries
• Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower
• Onions, leeks, and garlic
• Prunes and figs

Experts note that different people experience gas after eating different foods. Not everyone will pass more gas after consuming items on this list, and some people might find that foods not on the list cause gas for them. Also, adding more fiber to your diet might cause more gas initially, but that could taper off as your body adjusts. Fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of fiber Trusted Source Merck ManualFirst published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers.View Source , while meat and dairy do not contain any fiber.

People who have food sensitivities or intolerances may experience more gas when they consume foods they cannot properly digest. For example, those with lactose intolerance may pass more gas after having foods that contain lactose, such as milk or cheese.

Lifestyle Factors

In addition to aspects of your diet, other things you do might increase the amount of gas you pass:

• Taking antibiotics
• Chewing gum, especially with artificial sweeteners
• Eating quickly
• Smoking cigarettes
• Wearing loose dentures Trusted Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)NIDDK research creates knowledge about and treatments for diseases that are among the most chronic, costly, and consequential for patients, their families, and the Nation.View Source

Medical Issues

Multiple digestive disorders and conditions can cause excessive gas:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS involves abnormalities in how the gut and brain connect Trusted Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)NIDDK research creates knowledge about and treatments for diseases that are among the most chronic, costly, and consequential for patients, their families, and the Nation.View Source , but the digestive system itself looks normal. In addition to excess gas, people with IBS often experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. About 12% of people in the U.S. have IBS.

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): People experiencing this disorder either have an overgrowth of bacteria in general or of a certain type of bacteria in the small intestine. As a result, they experience more gas than normal along with other symptoms, like diarrhea.
• Crohn’s Disease: In this inflammatory bowel disease, a person develops inflammation Trusted Source Medline PlusMedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.View Source in their digestive tract. Usually the inflammation is in the small intestine, but it can occur anywhere in the digestive system. The cause of Crohn’s is unknown, but it is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the immune system attacks healthy tissue.
• Ulcerative Colitis: Ulcerative colitis Trusted Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)NIDDK research creates knowledge about and treatments for diseases that are among the most chronic, costly, and consequential for patients, their families, and the Nation.View Source is an inflammatory bowel disease similar to Crohn’s, but with inflammation that usually occurs in the large intestine rather than the small intestine. In addition to gas, a person with this disease may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stool, and other symptoms.
• Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disease Trusted Source Medline PlusMedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.View Source in which a person’s small intestines are damaged as a result of consuming gluten, a type of protein. Wheat, rye, and barley contain gluten. In addition to gas, a person may experience diarrhea, pain, irritability, or depression. Treatment requires a person to go on a gluten-free diet.
• Colorectal or Stomach Cancer: Cancer is when abnormal cells Trusted Source Merck ManualFirst published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers.View Source grow in parts of the body, sometimes disturbing or destroying nearby healthy cells. If cancer causes a blockage in the digestive tract, excessive gas may occur.

Menstrual Cycle

People who menstruate are more likely to experience bloating and gas at certain points in the monthly menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is typically a period of 24 to 38 days, and menstruation is around three to five days during which the uterine lining sheds Trusted Source Medline PlusMedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.View Source . The menstrual cycle can exacerbate IBS symptoms Trusted Source Office on Women's Health (OWH)OWH coordinates women's health efforts across HHS and addresses critical women's health issues by informing and advancing policies, educating health care professionals and consumers, and supporting innovative programs.View Source , which may cause more bloating and gas during menstruation.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms that start around a week before a person’s period begins. More bloating and gas Trusted Source Office on Women's Health (OWH)OWH coordinates women's health efforts across HHS and addresses critical women's health issues by informing and advancing policies, educating health care professionals and consumers, and supporting innovative programs.View Source may also occur during PMS.

How to Reduce Nighttime Gas and Stop Farting in Your Sleep

There are actions you can take to reduce morning and evening gas. The following lifestyle interventions Trusted Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)NIDDK research creates knowledge about and treatments for diseases that are among the most chronic, costly, and consequential for patients, their families, and the Nation.View Source may help:

• Avoid talking while eating and drinking as it can prompt you to swallow air
• Stop chewing gum and eating hard candy
• Avoid drinking carbonated drinks
• Do not drink beverages through a straw
• Sit down to eat and chew slowly
• Quit smoking
• Eat small, frequent meals
• Consider a side sleeping position

If these tips do not help, you may want to see your doctor. You can talk to your doctor about possibly reducing or eliminating foods that cause gas from your diet. It is important to be careful when making dietary changes, because many foods that cause gas are part of a healthy diet, and you do not want to switch to a diet that does not meet your nutritional needs.

You can also discuss over-the-counter medications for gas with your doctor. There are also medications available that reduce the odor of gas. If you have lactose intolerance, you may want to consider taking lactase when eating dairy products. Also, probiotics and some dietary supplements might help reduce gas, but you should talk to your doctor before starting them.

Make an appointment with your doctor if your gas is accompanied by other symptoms Trusted Source Merck ManualFirst published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers.View Source , such as weight loss, blood in stool, or a feeling of having gas in your chest. Your doctor can ask questions and order tests to determine if you are dealing with an underlying disorder.

References

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