Why Do My Farts Smell Like Death? All You Have To Know

November 11, 2024 by Pranay David

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Farting is a natural thing but when it smells foul, that is something embarrassing and even suffocating. If it is the case with you, it is required to think about what you ate or what went wrong internally. Read on to know the reason and how to deal with the issue.

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My Farts Smell Like Death

The Reason Behind Foul-Smelling Farts

The foul smell of fart implies that the consumed carbohydrates have been fermented and mal-absorbed in our bodies.(1)

This is caused by the bacteria inside the gastrointestinal tract.

Fibrous food like quinoa, sprouts, broccoli and similar items enhance the good bacteria in the gut, resulting in passing out the gas naturally.

But when you consume food having a high content of sulfur such as milk, plant-based protein products, red meat and others, there is a high probability of foul-smelling fart as they produce sulfur.

Is Farting a Bad Thing? Are Foul-Smelling Farts an Indicator of Your Health?

Farting is not bad and if it smells foul occasionally, it is not a serious thing but foul-smelling farts can be harmful when it happens often. It is your body’s sign to indicate low digestion of the carbs that are consumed.(2)

Is The Rotten Egg Fart Really a Shameful Odor? How to Deal with It?

Yes, a rotten egg smelling fart is embarrassing for you, especially when you are in a public place or surrounded by others at your home.(3)

This happens when the gut bacteria break down the food resulting in hydrogen sulphide formation which smells like rotten eggs. Hence, it is not recommended to regularly consume food like cheeseburgers and cabbage.

To prevent this, select a diet rich in protein as this won’t cause a lot of farting, unlike carbs. Make sure to drink enough water after 30-60 minutes of having food.

Following a low FODMAP diet is a fair way of dealing with the issue. The diet involves limiting the carbs which can get fermented in the gut, resulting in the formation of rancid gas.

It can be tough for some people to follow as it eliminates items like asparagus and onions from the diet. So, those with serious gastrointestinal distress can try it.

Why do my farts smell like rotten eggs while pregnant?

There are a few different reasons why your farts might smell like rotten eggs while you’re pregnant. One possibility is that your digestive system is slowing down, which can cause food to ferment and produce sulfur-containing gases.

Another possibility is that you have an infection or food intolerance. If your farting is accompanied by other symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bloating, you should see your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

In most cases, however, farting is simply a normal (and often unavoidable) part of pregnancy. If you’re concerned about the odor of your farts, try to eat smaller meals more frequently and avoid eating foods that are known to produce gas.

Consulting with a Gastroenterology or dietitian to check which carbs are causing bloating, can relieve the issue to some extent.

Changing food habits and consulting a dietitian to follow a diet that best suits your body can play a major role in eliminating foul-smelling farts. Even though it is generally not something risky but it creates discomfort for the people around you and in serious cases, it indicates some gastrointestinal problem. Hence, the sooner it is resolved, the better it is for your health.