The average person expels approximately 2 liters of gas from the rectum over the span of 24 hours, according to Harvard Health Publications. This gas, also called flatus or flatulence, is a normal part of digestion and allows excess air to pass out of the intestinal tract. If flatulence symptoms are bothersome, affected people should consult a physician for further evaluation and care.
Audible Passage of Gas
As gas passes out of the rectum from the intestinal tract, people may notice an audible sound, similar to the sound of air escaping from an inflated balloon. The audible passage of gas can be embarrassing to certain people, especially if flatulence symptoms occur repeatedly.
Unpleasant or Foul Odor
Excess gas within the intestinal tract is typically the result of a person's diet. Certain types of food, such as beans, milk, broccoli or onions, can be difficult to digest. If these foods are not digested when they pass through the small intestine, bacteria in the large intestine will attempt to digest these food products, the American College of Gastroenterology reports. As bacteria digest food in the colon, they give off a foul-smelling gas, which accumulates in the body. When this gas passes out of a person's body, it emits a strong, unpleasant odor. This odorous flatulence symptom may also be detected by people who are physically close to the affected person, which can lead to embarrassment if the gaseous person is identified.
Additional Symptoms
People who experience flatulence often develop additional symptoms, including abdominal bloating, cramping or pain due to the accumulation of gas in the intestine, MedlinePlus explains. Belching, a symptom in which air is released through the mouth, can also occur in people with flatulence. People who experience diarrhea or constipation in conjunction with flatulence, belching or abdominal pain, should seek care from a medical professional.
