What's wrong with Whoopi? Expert say The View star's, 67, frequent farting ... trends now
Whoopi Goldberg is frequently passing gas live on national television, sparking laughter and shouts of horror from co-presenters and fans alike.
Whoopi, who says her name was inspired by the grade-school favorite whoopie cushion, has faced inopportune flatulence for years — with yet another moment of embarrassment striking her Wednesday. It is the fourth time she has passed gas on-air during The View.
Doctors told DailyMail.com today that it could be tied to her age, 67, or medications she could be taking for her sciatica diagnosis.
They said it may also be linked to her diet, which has previously been reported to consist of gas-causing frozen pizzas and takeout food, or a lack of physical activity.
Dr Ahmed Albusoda, a gastroenterologist at The Princess Grace Hospital in London, told DailyMail.com these foods can slow down her bowels and cause constipation.
Whoopi Goldberg has passed gas on The View for a fourth time
'Of course, we need to talk to a patient specifically,' Dr Albusoda said.
'[But] if she is eating a lot of junk food, or anything that has a lot of fat in it like processed foods, that can also slow down your bowel movements and cause constipation.
'Junk food is not healthy for the bowel and may also change the population of gut bacteria — so you substitute canaries for others.'
He added that a shift in diet towards more healthy foods and more leafy greens could also cause the bout of flatulence because it shifts bacteria in the gut.
The iconic Hollywood star was also diagnosed with sciatica in 2021, leading to her stepping away from the show for a few weeks last summer.
Suffered of sciatica, which affects up to 40 percent of people at some point during their life, by pain, weakness, numbness and tingling on a person's leg.
It is usually caused by an issue with the sciatic nerve — one of the longest in the body that runs from the buttocks down to the foot.
Goldberg's representatives did not reply to a DailyMail.com request for comment.
Asked about her sciatica battle, Dr Albusoda said: 'In general, people with sciatica are less active, which is a risk factor for constipation because there is more fermenting in the stools.
'They also take painkillers, and a lot of those can cause constipation because they cause more fermentation and gas in the stools.'
He said people who regularly pass gas should ensure they see a doctor, adding that they would be happy to see