Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening belly pain, especially if you cannot pass stool or gas, are repeatedly vomiting, feel faint, or have a hard and very swollen belly.
These symptoms can occur when the bowel is blocked or seriously inflamed.
Chest pressure, breathing difficulty, or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw should also be treated as an emergency rather than assumed to be trapped gas.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek same-day medical advice if you have gas along with:
Blood in the stool or black, sticky stool
Fever and significant belly pain
Repeated vomiting
A swollen or increasingly painful belly
New symptoms after recent abdominal surgery
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Book a routine appointment if flatulence is persistent, has changed noticeably without a clear reason, or is affecting daily life.
You should also arrange an assessment if it occurs with ongoing diarrhoea, constipation, repeated belly pain, loss of bowel control, or unexplained weight loss.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Gas – flatulence. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.