Wind

Passing wind is a normal bodily function – on average, people pass wind about 15–25 times a day. If you find you’re passing wind more often than usual, this may be caused by:

• Pelvic radiotherapy affecting your bowel
• Bowel surgery
• Constipation
• Certain medications
• Your cancer stopping you from digesting and absorbing your food properly (malabsorption)

What can help?

Foods to avoid

Some people find that these foods can cause wind so you might want to consider whether these foods affect you. If they do, try avoiding them or reducing the amount you eat:

• Beans and other pulses, such as chickpeas
• Members of the brassica family, such as cabbage, brussels sprouts and cauliflower
• Sweetcorn,
• Onions
• Pickles
• Fizzy drinks
• Some artificial sweeteners, including mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol

Other tips

• Try to eat little and often. Chewing your food well and sipping slowly may also help.
• You could try common remedies such as peppermint water, capsules or tea, fennel tea and baby’s gripewater.
• Gentle exercise could help to get your bowel moving

> Our advice on managing constipation might also help

Tell your doctor if passing wind becomes painful or if symptoms don’t get better.

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