By Adebukola Aluko
When we talk of Belching also known as Burping, what really comes to mind?
Most of the time some individuals view it as something disturbing, others have mixed feeling concerning it, even some consider it as something very harmful to health.
Belching is a normal process involving the act of bringing up air from the stomach. It is a natural process that is common to every individual. However excessive Belching can sometimes interfere with daily activities or cause embarrassment and make someone uncomfortable.
The purpose of belching is to release air from the stomach. It’s your body’s way of pushing out excess air from your upper digestive tract. Most belching is caused by swallowing excess air. This air most often never even reaches the stomach. Instead, it builds up in the esophagus.
Every time you eat, you also swallow air, along with fluid or food. Now this air pile up and buildup in the upper stomach causing the stomach to stretch, which in turn triggers the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus (the tube that runs from your mouth to the stomach) to relax. Air is allowed to escape up the esophagus and out the mouth, and this process is called belching.
Causes
As we all know belching can be induced through different ways which are as follows
- You may swallow excess air if you eat or drink too fast, talk while you eat, chew gum, suck on hard candies, or smoke.
- Some people swallow air as a nervous habit even when they’re not eating or drinking.
- Drinking carbonated beverages such as soda or beer can also generate excess gastric air.
- In addition, individuals who experience anxiety may swallow air excessively.
However, abnormal belching may be due to:
Acid reflux disease (also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)
Digestive system disease
Pressure caused by the unconscious swallowing of air (aerophagia)Risk factors
As mentioned above, excessive air swallowing, and certain gas producing foods and drinks such as carbonated beverages are significant contributors to belching and flatulence.
Some patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) appear to be uniquely sensitive to normal, or only slightly increased volumes of intestinal gas, and may develop abdominal cramps as a result.
However these symptoms usually do not point to a serious underlying condition and are often reduced with simple lifestyle changes.
Home Care/ Treatment
- Eliminate carbonated beverages such as soda and beer.
- Foods such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, beans, and bran should be avoided.
- Milk and other dairy foods should be reduced or avoided.
- Skip the gum and hard candy: when you chew gum or suck on hard candy, you swallow more often than normal, Part of what you’re swallowing is air.
- You can also get relief by lying on your side or in a knee-to-chest position until the gas passes out.
- Lactaid milk or non-dairy milk such as soy or almond milk can be used to replace other milk.
- Eat and drink slowly: taking your time can help you swallow less air, eating when you’re stressed or on the run increases the air you swallow.
Do not smoke: when you inhale smoke, you also and swallow air.
Remember to stay health at all times
Additional information from Medlineplus
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