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Last reviewed: May 2023
Next review date: May 2026
Some people with Crohn's or Colitis might feel bloated and gassy. Your tummy might make loud noises, or you might fart more than usual. This can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. In this information, we give some suggestions and tips that might help you manage these symptoms.
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Bloating is a feeling of fullness, pressure or trapped wind in your tummy. Your tummy might also get bigger. But you can feel bloated even if your tummy does not get bigger.
Wind is gas inside your gut. You get rid of it from your body when you fart (flatus) or burp (belching). It is a normal process, but we know it can be embarrassing.
It is normal to have gas in your gut whether you have Crohn’s or Colitis or not. Everyone produces several litres of gas a day through the normal processes of digestion. But only around 200ml (a bit less than a cupful) usually stays in your gut.
Wind is normal and is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can cause problems for some people.
Bloating and wind can be caused by lots of things, including medical conditions like coeliac disease. But they commonly affect people with Crohn’s or Colitis. They can develop for lots of reasons, including:
If you have bloating with high fever, pain and tenderness in your tummy, get medical help straight away.
Unfortunately, there is no simple solution – what works for one person may not work for another. But some people have found the following suggestions helpful.
Some people find that certain foods make bloating or wind worse. You could use a food diary or app to help find out if this is the case for you. Make a note of everything you eat and any symptoms you have to see if you notice any patterns.
Foods that produce a lot of wind vary from person to person. Some people find that the following foods affect them:
If you find any possible trigger foods, it’s a good idea to discuss them with your IBD team before making any big changes to your diet.
They can check that you won’t be missing out on nutrients that your body needs. They may be able to refer you to a dietitian.
If you do try cutting down on trigger foods, it may take a few weeks to notice any difference. It’s important to get back to eating a healthy, balanced diet when you start to feel better.
If you think you may have lactose intolerance, talk to your IBD team. They can arrange tests, and advise you on the best way to manage your symptoms.
If you have Crohn’s or Colitis and you also have lactose intolerance, cutting down on foods and drinks that contain lactose might help reduce bloating and wind. You could choose dairy alternatives with added calcium or look for lactose-free dairy products. Check the ingredients on foods you buy to see if they contain lactose.
Find out more in our information on Food.
If you have irritable bowel symptoms as well as Crohn’s or Colitis, a low FODMAP diet might help reduce bloating and wind. But there is not enough high-quality evidence to know for sure if it’s effective.
FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These are carbohydrates that are hard to digest. When the undigested carbohydrates pass through your gut, they feed bacteria in your large bowel, which release gas. This can lead to bloating and wind.
A low FODMAP diet is restrictive and is not designed to be followed long-term. If you follow a low FODMAP diet, you should be supervised by a trained dietitian.
Drink plenty – around 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day.
You might also find it helpful to:
Some people use herbal therapies or medicines you can buy yourself to help with bloating and wind. But there is generally not much evidence to support these.
You should tell your IBD team if you are taking any herbal remedies or medicines that you have bought yourself. They can sometimes interact with prescribed medicines.
We’re often a lot more sensitive to our own smells than other people are. But if you’re worried about smells, you could try:
We follow strict processes to make sure our information is based on up-to-date evidence and easy to understand.
Please email us at evidence@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk if:
You can also write to us at Crohn’s & Colitis UK, 1 Bishop Square, Hatfield, AL10 9NE, or contact us through our Helpline: 0300 222 5700
We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with these conditions. But you’re not alone. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Our helpline team can help by:
Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.
Listening and talking through your situation.
Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.
Providing details of other specialist organisations.
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
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