A bus driver has claimed she lost her job after farting so badly a colleague thought she had defecated mid-shift. Bristol-based Stephanie Bryan was working for electric bus company The Big Lemon when she experienced bowel trouble mid-shift. The smell lingered long after her shift ended, a tribunal heard. Following the incident, Bryan was dismissed from the bus company and has claimed the fart was the reason why.
Ultimately, the tribunal heard the primary cause of Bryan's dismissal was due to her driving rather than her poor hygiene. However, this has not stopped fears that having horrid farts could affect your career prospects, reputation and social standing.
Smelly farts and your diet
To help Brits avoid becoming social outcasts because of their flagrant farts, the Daily Star has consulted medical experts for some advice. Previously speaking to the Star, GP Dr Sarah Garsed has stated smelly farts are not always a red flag for your health.
Dr Sarah said: “Usually foul-smelling farts mean you are consuming a good diet of veg and fibre, so it may not be a bad thing.” However, the doctor stated that the smell of farts coupled with a loss of appetite could be a sign of Crohn's disease.
Crohn's disease is caused by an explosion of bacteria growth in the small intestine, which creates the smelly gas. People with the disease can battle with severe stomach pain, diarrhoea, fatigue and weight loss.
Dr Sarah said: “There are lots of symptoms to look out for if you suspect Crohn’s disease, but smelly farts accompanied by sudden appetite and weight loss could be a reason to be checked out by your GP. You might also find you have blood in your poo, painful cramps and excess wind. See your GP immediately if you have these symptoms.”
Irregular farting patterns in women
Dr Sarah also added women can often experience irregular farting patterns. She stated this irregularity can be caused due to hormones and should not be a cause for concern. The health expert explained it is perfectly normal for the quantity and ferocity of people's farts to change over time with what you eat.
She added the changes could be down to your biological sex and hormonal cycles. As part of the menstrual cycle, women's hormones fluctuate throughout the month, eventually causing a rise in oestrogen and a chemical called prostaglandins.
Dr Sarah said: “Some women produce too much of this chemical and it can cause your bowels to contract more than normal, making you pass wind more often. Couple this with the fact you go through bacterial changes in the gut during this time of the month and you will also find those farts have a stronger smell. This is fine and nothing to worry about.”
Painful farts and trapped wind
The doc explained why some people can suffer from painful farts, which could be a sign you have trapped wind, which can be a sign of wider digestive issues or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Dr Sarah said: “As a result the nerves in your gut can become ultra-sensitive to the movement of gas, causing you to feel more pain. If you are concerned, visit your GP and consider changing your diet to eat more fibre and vegetables and try to increase your daily exercise.”
