An NHS GP has left TikTok users reeling after revealing the dangerous reason we need to fart – and why anyone not passing wind should worry.
The medic, who goes by Doctor Sooj on social media, shared a video on social media, which garnered over 70,000 views, detailing what can happen if we aren’t farting.
Passing gas is necessary to get rid of built-up gas from the digestive system, but the 32-year-old warned that not being able to can be a precursor to medical emergencies, including bowel obstructions, which need immediate and surgical intervention.
READ MORE: Harvard-educated TikTok doctor reveals the common daily habit that is ‘ruining’ your brain
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In a video shared by What’s The Jam, the Hertfordshire-based doctor warned: “Be concerned when you can’t fart.”
“There are certain times when I need to ask my patients about their farting habits.
“That is because if someone has something like a bowel obstruction or a volvulus, which is where the bowel has twisted on itself, then, first of all, you’re going to be in pain.
“Second, you get absolute constipation – that means that nothing is coming out [of your bum].”
As well as struggling to pass faeces, this also means no flatulence, and likely nausea, vomiting and bloating too.
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Doctor Sooj continued: “If something like that does happen to you, you need to go straight to the hospital.
“There’s not a great deal that GPS are going to be able to do.
“A bowel obstruction is an emergency – a surgical emergency.
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“You would have what we call an acute abdomen, the pain would be really bad [and] there would be vomiting.
“Of course, there can be less serious causes of pain like that, which can make life as a doctor quite difficult and quite scary.
“If you have any concerns about anything like that, go and see a doctor.”
However, Doctor Sooj explained that there are multiple, less serious reasons we may pass less wind.
He added: “The amount of gas one passes can change depending on the things they’re eating – like high vs low fibre foods – and underlying conditions which can impact GI mobility and absorption.”
Some of his 235,000 followers commented on the post to share their own experiences.
One user said: “I didn’t fart for years… turns out huge tumour. Stage 3 colon cancer. Woop.”
“But is it possible to fart too much…asking for a friend,” another person joked.
Someone else wrote: “Finally, we have health professionals to explain this to people.”
“Not a problem I’ve ever had!” another viewer quipped.
“This is how my mom got diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was wrapped around the colon,” another user shared.
