Ulcerative colitis may increase the amount of hydrogen sulfide in your digestive system. This extra gas can cause more frequent flatulence, but changes to your diet and medications may help.
In the United States, approximately
UC is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that occurs when the lining of the colon, rectum, or both becomes inflamed. This causes tiny sores to develop in the digestive tract.
Some of the most common symptoms of UC are abdominal pain, bloody stools, and diarrhea. Increased flatulence, or gas, may also happen if you have UC.
Keep reading to learn why UC may cause extra gas and how you can reduce this flatulence.
Research suggests that people with UC produce more hydrogen sulfide in their digestive tract. This extra gas can cause stomach pain and diarrhea. The gas also needs to exit the digestive system somehow, through flatulence.
What’s more, people with UC often have inflammation in their colon, which makes it harder to break down hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide can encourage more inflammation. This creates a cycle that may lead to even more gas.
If you have UC, you may also have another condition contributing to excess gas.
For instance, a 2018 study found that
Gas caused by UC may have a strong odor because of the increase in hydrogen sulfide and amino acid fermentation in the digestive tract. Hydrogen sulfide is often
The smell of gas may also depend on other factors, such as:
- medications you take
- foods you eat
- how your body responds to being gassy
If you have UC, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada recommends the following dietary and lifestyle habits to help reduce the amount of gas in your digestive tract:
- eating smaller, more frequent meals
- eating food more slowly
- drinking plenty of water
- limiting your intake of alcohol, carbonated drinks, and caffeine
- getting regular exercise and not sitting for prolonged periods of time
- avoiding tight-fitting clothing
following a low FODMAP diet
Logging the foods you eat and when you have more gas than usual in a food journal may also help you and a doctor pinpoint foods that trigger symptoms.
If you still experience unpleasant gas symptoms after making dietary and lifestyle changes, speak with a doctor. They could help develop a treatment plan to reduce your symptoms.
For instance, they could recommend an alternative medication or modify the dosage of your current medication. They may also refer you to a gastroenterologist.
If flatulence is causing you to feel depressed or embarrassed, it may be helpful to talk with a therapist. They can help with any emotions you may be experiencing.
Can ulcerative colitis cause excessive gas?
Yes, ulcerative colitis may cause excessive gas and flatulence.
How do you stop gas from ulcerative colitis?
Some tips to relieve gas from ulcerative colitis may include eating smaller meals, avoiding high fiber foods, and drinking plenty of water. If your medications are causing excessive gas, speak with a doctor. They may be able to modify your treatment plan.
What are the symptoms of a UC flare-up?
A UC flare-up is when UC symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools reappear or worsen. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, you may also experience mouth sores, joint pain, eye irritation, and bone problems during a UC flare-up.
Can stomach ulcers cause foul-smelling gas?
Stomach ulcers don’t directly cause foul-smelling gas, but they can be associated with digestive issues that lead to it. These may include H. pylori infection, digestive imbalance, dietary changes, medications, and gastric emptying.
Is there a time of day or night when ulcerative colitis flatulence is more common?
Symptoms of UC are most likely to occur when the condition is flaring. The exact timing for this will vary depending on your exposure to triggers. Some individuals have reported more symptoms in the morning, which may result from the colon becoming activated when you wake up.
UC is frequently associated with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools, but it can also cause you to be more gassy than usual.
Avoiding certain foods and making some lifestyle and medication changes may help reduce the amount of hydrogen sulfide gas in your digestive tract, which may help make you less gassy.
You may have more gas than usual for reasons unrelated to UC. If having too much gas is making you uncomfortable, speak with a doctor so they can help you find a solution.