A Woman Ended Up In A Wheelchair After Holding In Her Farts

Jordan Claes
Viih Tube wearing dark sunglasses and sticking her tongue out.
instagram | @viihtube

We all know what it's like to have to hold in a fart in a public space. The shame and potential embarrassment far exceed any potential relief that may come from letting it rip.

However, did you know that by holding in your farts you could actually be doing serious harm to your body? It's a lesson Brazilian YouTube sensation Viih Tube recently learned the hard way after she wound up in a wheelchair for holding in her farts.

Farting is a fact of life.

Young woman smelling cherry blossoms.
Unsplash | Daniel Apodaca

I don't mean to make a stink, but did you know that the average person farts between 5 and 15 times per day on average? It's an essential aspect of digestion and a reflection of healthy gut bacteria.

Despite the health benefits of passing gas, many people become overwhelmed with embarrassment at even the thought of breaking wind.

Dandelion blowing in the wind.
Unsplash | Saad Chaudhry

Instead of ripping a rank room-clearing fart, they'll do everything in their power to hold it in. But what you may not realize is that this can be dangerous.

It's a lesson that Brazilian YouTuber, Vitoria De Felice Moraes, had to learn the hard way.

Viih tube raving with dark sunglasses on.
instagram | @viihtube

Vitoria is better known by the handle, Viih Tube. The influencer and social media star became an international sensation thanks to the teen videos she posts on YouTube.

Recently, Viih visited the Portuguese capital of Lisbon to attend the Rock in Rio music festival.

Viih Tube posing for a photo on an apartment balcony.
instagram | @viihtube

She caused quite a stir among her fans and followers after posting a photo of herself being pushed through the airport in a wheelchair.

During the trip, Viih began to experience excruciating stomach pain.

Jim Carrey in 'Liar Liar' farting when he gets off the elevator.
Giphy

The influencer wound up being taken to the hospital, and doctors were able to make a diagnosis right away. The reason why Viih was in so much pain was that she needed to fart — badly.

Even though it sounds like something out of an 'SNL' sketch, gastrointestinal issues from holding in farts is quite common.

Pocah standing on the balcony, looking sideways at the camera.
instagram | @pocah

Ironically enough, Brazilian singer Pocah was hospitalized earlier this year for the exact same thing. “Get well, my daughter," Pocah commented on Viih's post. "Farting is serious!”

Pocah's followers were also confused as to why she would've held in her farts in the first place.

Pocah in her hotel, in silk pajamas.
instagram | @pocah

The singer later explained how she wasn't on "farting terms" with her new partner and therefore didn't feel comfortable letting them rip in his presence.

"Farting terms" might sound like a joke, but there's merit behind what Pocah is saying.

Gerry in 'Parks And Recreation'.
Giphy | Parks and Recreation

According to Healthline, it takes men roughly 90 days before they feel comfortable saying "I love you." It takes women, on average, about 130 to say the same thing.

Compare that with the amount of time men and women take to feel comfortable farting in the presence of their partner, and the results are staggering.

graphs and charts on a laptop.
Unsplash | Lukas Blazek

According to a survey on AskMen.com, men reported waiting on average 6.5 months to break wind. For women, it's more than double.

That's right, we live in a world where it's easier for human beings to say the L-word than it is for them to fart.

Hermione waving her hand in the air in 'Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone'.
Giphy

I don't think there's anyone on earth who would argue that farts are more serious than love, so why do we choose to torture ourselves in this manner?

"Girls, don't be ashamed to fart in front of your guy," Pocah pleaded with her followers.

"Because what's really embarrassing is not letting your guy sleep because you're in discomfort, going to the hospital with your guy, and the diagnosis being 'trapped farts.'”

She makes a good point.