Farting in public can be mortifying—whether it's a loud burst in a quiet room or an unexpected smell. The embarrassing stares, stifled giggles, and threat of ridicule make it really humiliating. Passing gas, or flatulence, is entirely normal and normal body function. It is a side effect of digestion, a result of the digestion of food in the intestines. Average individuals release gas 13 to 21 times per day, producing a combination of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, methane, carbon dioxide, and occasionally hydrogen sulfide—the odor-causing compound.

Although flatulence is universally regarded as embarrassing, it is a vital function of the gut. However, in some instances, the smell, frequency, and sound of farts can be signs of underlying medical conditions. So, what do various types of flatulence indicate, and when should one worry?

Are Farts a Sign of Good Health?

Yes, passing gas is an indication that your digestive system is working properly. It is a sign that your gut microbiome—the mixture of bacteria and other microorganisms living in your intestines—is properly breaking down food. Yet too much gas, stinky farts, or crampy bloating may at times indicate a digestive problem that must be addressed.

A few of the reasons that passing gas is a good thing include:

Gut Health

Passing gas indicates your digestive tract is functioning properly.

Toxin Removal

The body gets rid of excess gas and unwanted substances through flatulence.

Microbiome Balance

A well-functioning digestive system produces gas as part of the process of breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.

Different Types of Farts

Flatulence varies in smell, frequency, and volume. Each type can provide insight into your digestive health:

1. Silent but Deadly Farts

These farts are either odorless or slightly pungent but go unnoticed. They happen when there is excessive air swallowed while eating or drinking. Some common causes are the consumption of carbonated drinks, chewing gum, eating quickly, or eating with one's mouth open.

2. Loud and Proud Farts

Loud farts typically represent the sudden release of gas from the rectum. The loudness depends on the tightness of the anal sphincter and the strength of expulsion. Although embarrassing, they are harmless and merely a byproduct of gas production during digestion.

3. Sulfur-Scented Farts

If your farts have a rotten egg odor, it's because of hydrogen sulfide, a gas formed when bacteria in the gut break down sulfur-containing foods like eggs, meat, garlic, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower). Although smelly, they are normally harmless. However, if persistent, they may be a sign of bacterial overgrowth in the gut.

4. Farts with Abdominal Pain or Bloating

Gas with cramps or bloating may indicate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), food intolerance (such as lactose intolerance), or gastroenteritis. If the pain continues, a doctor should be consulted.

5. Too Many Farts

If you're convinced that you're breaking wind more often than you used to, it may be caused by overindulgence in:

• High-fiber foods (beans, lentils, whole grains, and vegetables)
• Artificial sweeteners (contained in sugar-free gum and diet cola)
• Swallowing too much air (from anxiety, smoking, or drinking from a straw)
• A gastrointestinal illness like IBS or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

What Makes Farts Stinky?

Most gas is odorless, but there are some things that can make farts smell. Some of the most common causes are:

High-Sulfur Foods: Eggs, onions, garlic, and cruciferous vegetables are responsible for sulfurous gas.

Lactose Intolerance: Individuals who are lactose intolerant (i.e., they cannot digest lactose, which is in milk products) tend to have stinky gas.

Food Allergies and Intolerances: Celiac disease or gluten intolerance may cause stinky flatulence.

Medications and Supplements: Antibiotics, vitamins, and fiber supplements can change bacteria in the gut, causing a shift in gas.

Constipation: If stool spends a longer time in the colon, bacteria will continue to ferment it, and that produces more pungent-smelling farts.

When Should You Be Worried About Your Farts?

Though smelly gas happens from time to time, there are symptoms that cannot be overlooked. You need to visit the doctor if you have:

Too Much Gas with Severe Pain: It might be a sign of IBS, Crohn's disease, or ulcers.

Black or Bloody Stools with Gas: It might be an indication of internal bleeding or colon problems.

Sudden Weight Loss with Gas: It may be a sign of a more severe gastrointestinal problem.

Persistent and Extremely Smelly Gas: Could indicate an infection, bacterial overgrowth, or food intolerance.

How to Reduce Smelly Farts Naturally?

If you’re frequently dealing with smelly gas, simple lifestyle and dietary changes can help:

• Reduce intake of high-sulfur foods like eggs, dairy, and cruciferous vegetables.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners and carbonated drinks.
• Eat smaller meals throughout the day to aid digestion.
• Keep a food diary to identify triggers.
• Chew food slowly and thoroughly.
• Steer clear of drinking with straws, which leads to excess air swallowing.
• Eat probiotics to keep the gut bacteria in balance.

Can You Prevent Farting Altogether?

Farting is an inevitable process and cannot be completely eliminated. That said, you can reduce excess gas by:

• Not eating or drinking too fast.
• Adding foods high in fiber gradually.
• Being physically active regularly to stimulate digestion.
• Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid constipation.

Passing gas is a sign your body is getting rid of food efficiently. Occasional foul-smelling passes of gas are normal, but frequent, odorous gas or excessive bloating could be indicative of underlying gastrointestinal problems.

The NHS has issued a warning for anyone using a common painkiller, highlighting possible harmful interactions with other medications. Across the UK, many people turn to over-the-counter medicines for daily aches, colds, and minor illnesses. Among these, paracetamol is one of the most widely used, often taken for headaches, back pain, and cold symptoms. But, like any medication, it carries certain risks.

Who Should Be Careful?

The NHS has provided guidance on using paracetamol safely, including which drug combinations should be avoided. “Paracetamol is not suitable for some people,” the health body explains. This includes individuals who take warfarin, a drug that prevents blood clots. If you are on warfarin, you should check with your GP before taking paracetamol, the NHS advises. “Paracetamol can raise the risk of bleeding in those who regularly take warfarin.”

Safe Dosing Guidelines

Small doses of paracetamol alongside warfarin are generally considered safe. The NHS adds: “It’s safe to take paracetamol if you’re on warfarin. Stick to the lowest dose that relieves your pain. Exceeding four 500mg tablets in 24 hours for more than a few days can slow your blood clotting, putting you at risk of bleeding.”

Avoid Double Dosing

Combining paracetamol with other medicines containing the same ingredient—like co-codamol or some cold and flu remedies—can be risky due to the danger of overdose. Other common painkillers, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or codeine, do not contain paracetamol and can safely be taken at the same time.

Check with Your Doctor

The NHS advises consulting a doctor before taking paracetamol if you’re on medications for epilepsy or tuberculosis (TB), as these combinations can also pose risks.

Herbal Remedies and Supplements

Generally, paracetamol is not affected by herbal supplements, though the NHS notes: “There isn’t enough information to say whether herbal remedies, complementary medicines, or supplements are safe with paracetamol. They are not tested the same way as prescription or pharmacy medications and may interact differently.” Patients should inform their doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines or supplements they are taking.

Side Effects of Paracetamol

When taken at the recommended dose, paracetamol “very rarely” causes side effects. For a full list, refer to the information leaflet inside the packaging.

Serious Allergic Reactions

In rare cases, a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can occur. The NHS advises calling 999 immediately if you notice:

• Swelling of lips, mouth, throat, or tongue
• Rapid or labored breathing, wheezing, or a choking sensation
• A tight throat or difficulty swallowing
• Skin, lips, or tongue turning blue, grey, or pale (on darker skin, check palms or soles)
• Sudden confusion, extreme drowsiness, or dizziness
• Fainting and unresponsiveness
• A child appearing limp, floppy, or unresponsive, with difficulty lifting or focusing their head

That sudden, foggy feeling where you can't focus, especially when you're super tired? New research suggests that these moments of zoning out are actually your brain's last-ditch effort to do the important cleaning it normally saves for when you're fast asleep. Your brain is trying to take a quick, emergency break.

We have all had days when focusing seems too difficult and you keep ‘spacing out’. When this happens, you take a moment to regain your composure and get back to what you were doing. While you may think that it is a simple lapse in attention, there is a lot that happens in your brain during this time.

The research, published in the Nature Neuroscience, shows this is the time your brain does its ‘maintenance work’ to ensure maximum functionality.

Why Do We Zone Out?

Scientists at MIT used special scanners to look deep inside the brain while people were trying to concentrate. They discovered that the exact moment someone zoned out, a wave of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear fluid that surrounds the brain, whooshed out, and then flowed right back in. This movement of fluid looks exactly like the process that happens during deep sleep, when the fluid washes away built-up waste and toxins from the day. When you're awake and tired, your brain is trying to force this cleaning process to happen.

How Does Our Brain Keep Functioning Fluidly?

A leading neuroscientist from the study explained that if you skip sleep, these cleaning waves start happening while you're awake, even though they shouldn't. The problem is that while the fluid is flowing and cleaning, you lose your ability to pay attention. It's a trade-off: your brain tries to clean up, but the price is that you can't focus on what you're doing. It’s almost like your brain is desperately trying to squeeze in a tiny bit of "microsleep" maintenance, which steals your focus.

The researchers had people do tests in the lab twice: once after they were well-rested, and once after they stayed up all night. Unsurprisingly, people performed much worse when they hadn't slept. Critically, the zoning out happened far more often after the all-nighter. When they looked at the brain data, they saw a clear pattern: when people's reaction times slowed down (meaning they were zoning out), the big fluid cleaning waves were always present. This strongly suggests your tired brain is trying to use these quick cycles to restore function, even if it makes you temporarily lose focus.

How Do We Know When We Zone Out?

The research revealed that when people zoned out, not only did the brain fluid move, but other things changed, too. Their breathing and heart rate slowed down, and their pupils got smaller. This makes the scientists suspect that a single, powerful "master switch" in the body controls both your high-level functions (like attention and perception) and these automatic, basic physical processes (like fluid movement and heart rate). The finding suggests that a lack of sleep affects your whole body through one central system.

Recently, we are seeing a rise in ‘grind culture’. People are encouraged to pack their days with work and be as productive as possible to secure future success. However, did you know that chasing this success could come at the cost of your heart's health? Dr. Dmitry Yaranov, MD, a cardiologist, who often shared important health advice and knowledge on Instagram videos, explained posted about how as a practicing healthcare professional, there are many heart facts that he wished his patients knew about.

Things we often perceive as important for our careers can come at the cost of our mental and physical health. By not realizing the value of their health and ignoring their limits, people often stretch themselves too far, which can result in reaching a breaking point.

In a recent video posted with the text, “After treating thousands of patients with heart failure this are the things I wish more people knew before it was too late” in the caption he listed 6 hard facts that most people ignore.

6 Habits That Are Leading You To Heart Failure

In the caption Dr. Yaranov explained that cardiovascular health involves much more than just hitting the gym and eating salads. Your heart health is fundamentally tied to sleep, stress management, environmental factors, access to resources, and even the state of your gut. Fix the foundation, not just the numbers.

Sleep Deprivation is Dangerous

Sleeping only six hours nightly and pushing yourself is a serious threat, not a badge of honor. This chronic sleep loss significantly raises your long-term risk of developing severe conditions like heart failure, having a stroke, or experiencing sudden cardiac death. Your body needs rest to recover.

Air Quality Hardens Arteries

Commuting daily in heavy traffic means breathing exhaust and particulate matter. This consistent exposure to air pollution does more than irritate your lungs; scientific studies confirm it literally hardens your arteries, increasing your risk for major cardiac events over time.

Stress Causes Overload

If you are always stressed and simply "pushing through" without managing the pressure, your body is producing too much cortisol. This hormonal overload leads to persistent high blood pressure and widespread inflammation, key factors that severely damage the cardiovascular system.

Gum Health Impacts Heart Health

Ignoring routine dental care and having gum disease creates chronic infection in your mouth. This persistent gum disease results in more body-wide inflammation, which is directly linked to a significantly higher risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Food Access Matters

Even if you have the best intentions to eat well, living where healthy food is hard to find (a food desert) makes it difficult. This lack of access to nutritious options leads to worse cardiac outcomes, proving that environment, not just personal willpower, shapes your health.

Gut Health Affects Vital Signs

The state of your digestive system should not be ignored. The millions of bacteria in your gut microbiome play a critical, unrecognized role in helping your body regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels. You must consciously feed your gut bacteria the right way.