The release of stomach gas through the mouth, called belching, is a common manifestation in all people, often involuntary. While it is normal in some cases, when it is frequent, it could indicate certain conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, small bowel bacterial contamination syndrome, and leaky bowel syndrome. To stop erupting, be sure to treat all underlying causes. Avoid drinking carbonated drinks and consuming too much alcohol and caffeine, preferring water and herbal teas. Try to eliminate foods that promote gas build-up, such as beans and foods high in fat and spices, from your diet. Eating small portions can also help. If belching is accompanied by pain or occurs frequently, see your doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Decrease Air Ingestion
Step 1. Chew with your mouth closed
Close your lips with each sip or bite. Don't open your mouth until you've swallowed it all. This way, you will avoid accidentally ingesting air.
- Likewise, don't talk while chewing. Not only will you be more polite, but you will reduce the risk of swallowing air.
- You can also ask a close friend or family member to look at you from time to time when you eat and warn you if you open your mouth while chewing.
Step 2. Count to 5 after each bite or sip
If you swallow anything (food or drink), too much air may enter the digestive system, causing belching. So, try to eat slower by stopping and counting after bite. By doing this, you will be able to relax during meals and limit the risk of gas accumulating in the stomach.
Step 3. Sip using the glass instead of the straw
When you suck in drinks through a straw, you tend to swallow the air pushing it into the digestive tract. Instead, by sipping from the glass, you will be able to keep under control how much you are drinking.
Step 4. Avoid chewing gum or hard candy
It can be a hard habit to break, but it might be worth it. Keep in mind that when you break a candy in your mouth you tend to open your lips slightly, introducing air. Aerophagia can promote belching or a rapid onset of hiccups.
If you can't resist chewing gum, you'll have a harder time losing this habit. So when you want gum or candy, drink a glass of water. It will help reduce the urge
Step 5. Treat symptoms related to a cold or an allergy right away
If you have a stuffy nose or a congested throat, you run the risk of swallowing too much air in your digestive tract while taking a breath. If you feel unwell, use a nasal decongestant to reduce symptoms and open the airways. By breathing easier, you will also reduce belching.
You can also make breathing easier if you have a stuffy nose by applying nasal patches
Step 6. Adjust the dentures if they don't fit well
If you have to correct or regulate it because it prevents you from chewing properly or gives you problems during the day, it probably also favors the swallowing of air in the digestive tract. Do not hesitate to consult your dentist to arrange it so that it does not move during use.
If it is only slightly slow, the dentist will be able to make the necessary corrections in no time. If it involves occlusion problems, you will likely need a new denture
Step 7. Stop smoking
When you inhale the cigarette, you introduce air into your lungs, but some of it may enter your stomach and later your intestines. If you are a heavy smoker, know that aerophagia tends to get worse. The habit of smoking can irritate the digestive system so much that it encourages regular belching.
Even the electronic cigarette can cause an excess of gas in the digestive tract
Part 2 of 3: Making Changes in Nutrition
Step 1. Consume non-carbonated drinks
Opt for water, herbal teas, coffee or even fruit juices. Carbonated drinks, such as orange soda and beer, contain gases that are likely to accumulate in the digestive system and cause belching. If you have to drink a fizzy drink, sip it slowly so that it vents in the meantime.
Likewise, choose plain water to avoid ingesting too much air
Step 2. Modify your diet by reducing foods that promote gas production
Beans, lentils, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, and chocolate can all produce gas during digestion. Some types of fruit, including apples, peaches, and pears, can also cause bloating and irritation during the digestive process. Identify the foods that are causing you problems and eliminate them from your diet one at a time.
- Also avoid foods that contain a lot of air, such as mousse, soufflé, and whipped cream. The more air you ingest, the more air will tend to rise from the stomach.
- Some people find that eliminating gluten from your diet also helps reduce belching.
Step 3. Eat 4-6 meals a day
Cut down on your portions and eat every 3-4 hours so you always have enough energy. Try to include proteins, such as those from chicken, to keep you full longer. This is a great way to not overeat and avoid bloating, stomach upset and belching.
For example, a healthy dish might contain a scrambled egg accompanied by a few slices of wholemeal bread
Part 3 of 3: Avoid Stomach Burn Symptoms
Step 1. Avoid lying down as soon as you have finished eating
The burning sensation that rises from the stomach to the throat after or during meals is due to stomach acid. If you eat a large meal or lie down immediately after eating, you risk favoring it. When accompanied by belching, it most likely indicates a digestive problem.
Step 2. Take a simethicone-based antacid
Mylicon Gas and Simecrin are the two most used drugs. They help break down the gas bubbles that form in the digestive system. Other products, such as Beano, are also formulated to eliminate the air supplied by particular foods.
Most of these drugs also act on flatulence
Step 3. See your doctor if symptoms get worse
If you start to feel severe or recurring pain in your stomach or abdomen, it could be due to a serious digestive problem. Liquid or bloody stools can also indicate the same thing. If you start to lose weight quickly, belching could be a sign that your body is not assimilating food properly.
Likewise, heartburn could cause slight pain in the chest region. However, it is not unbearable nor does it tend to radiate to other parts of the body
Step 4. Get endoscopy to rule out GERD
It is a disease that inflames the walls of the intestine causing excessive belching. To diagnose it, your doctor may order a test during which a small, flexible probe with a camera is inserted into your throat, which gives you a direct view of the organs of the digestive system.
