Gas is a common symptom of ulcerative colitis (UC). Gas with UC may have a particular smell. Various tips, such as eating smaller meals more frequently and managing stress, may help reduce gas.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation and ulcers to develop on the large intestine’s inside lining.
People with UC typically experience periods of worsening symptoms, known as flares, and periods when their symptoms lessen or disappear, known as remission. UC is a chronic condition that can cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.
Read on to learn more about why UC can cause gas, how to recognize UC gas, and ways to help manage it.
Gas and bloating are possible symptoms a person with UC may experience.
Everyone produces gas as part of the digestive process. However, a person with UC may notice they pass gas more than usual.
According to Crohn’s & Colitis UK, excess gas may be due to:
- Issues with digesting some foods: The body may not be able to digest certain foods, which can contribute to gas. For example, people with UC have a higher chance of lactose intolerance. This describes when a person cannot break down lactose, the sugar present in milk and dairy products.
- Gut bacteria balance: Gut bacteria play a role in helping digest food, and they may also play a role in developing UC. As bacteria produce gas, an imbalance can lead to more gas production.
- Constipation: Although less common, constipation is a potential symptom of UC. It can result in bloating and gas.
- Surgery scarring: Following surgery, a person may have scar tissue, which can result in bloating.
- Toxic megacolon: Rarely, gas and bloating may be a sign of a serious complication known as toxic megacolon.
- Other conditions: When living with UC, a person may also develop another condition that can contribute toward excess gas. For example, in a 2018 study,
76.8% of participants who had UC also had gastritis. Excess gas is also a potential symptom of gastritis.
Health experts also note the role of sulfur in exacerbating UC symptoms. Sulfur is present in a variety of foods, such as eggs, cheese, and whole milk. Bacteria in the bowel break down the sulfur in food into a toxic gas known as hydrogen sulfide.
Some evidence suggests individuals with UC produce more hydrogen sulfide than those without UC. They also experience difficulty breaking down the gas, likely due to inflammation of the bowel lining. The toxic gas can also encourage more inflammation, which creates a cycle leading to even more gas.
A person may be able to identify UC gas due to the smell and frequency of their flatulence.
With UC, a person may experience:
- uncomfortable bloating
- loud noises from their abdomen
- passing gas more than usual
Additionally, due to the hydrogen sulfide’s role in exacerbating UC symptoms, the smell of rotten eggs may indicate UC gas.
To help reduce odor, a person can try:
- lighting a scented candle
- using a neutralizing spray
- wearing underwear that absorbs smells
People should also be aware of other symptoms that can indicate UC, such as:
- abdominal pain
- a frequent urge to go to the toilet
- diarrhea
Tips for managing UC gas may include:
- eating and drinking slowly and with a closed mouth
- eating several, smaller meals instead of fewer, larger ones
- trying not to eat too close to bedtime
- keeping a food diary to identify potential trigger foods
- drinking plenty of water and trying to limit intake of alcohol and fizzy beverages
- taking probiotics or over-the-counter medications containing simethicone
- trying gentle movements or exercises to relieve bloating
- taking steps to reduce stress
- using diaphragmatic breathing, which can help reduce bloating
Learn more about managing a UC flare.
What are the symptoms of a bad ulcerative colitis flare-up?
The symptoms of a UC flare-up can vary between people. Some common symptoms include passing stool more frequently than usual, having loose stools or diarrhea with any blood or mucus, abdominal pain, waking up to go to the toilet, and generally feeling unwell.
Can ulcerative colitis cause gurgling in the stomach?
Sometimes, a person with UC may notice a loud, gurgling sound. This noise occurs due to the movement of fluid and gas in the intestines.
Does ulcerative colitis cause gas at night?
Passing gas is a possible symptom of UC that can occur at any time of day, including nighttime. Some people may notice gas at night following certain triggers, such as eating a large meal before bedtime or consuming certain foods and beverages.
Does ulcerative colitis gas smell?
Occasionally, gas occurring with UC can have a strong odor. This is often due to an increase in hydrogen sulfide and amino acid fermentation in the digestive tract. People with UC may have higher levels of hydrogen sulfide in their guts. People often compare the smell of hydrogen sulfide to rotten eggs.
Can ulcerative colitis cause gas and mucus?
In addition to causing gas, a person with UC may also notice blood and mucus in their stool. This typically occurs due to the ulcers that may develop on the surface of the bowel lining. These ulcers may bleed and produce mucus.
Gas and bloating are common symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Many different factors, such as difficulty digesting certain foods and microbiome imbalances, can contribute toward excess gas.
Frequently passing gas with a strong odor may indicate UC gas. To help manage symptoms, a person can try eating slower, having several, smaller meals rather than fewer, larger meals, and keeping a food diary to help identify triggers.