Denton County Living Well Magazine July/August 2020 | Page 39
Excuse
Me While
I Burp
By Kimberly Blaker
One of the most common causes of excessive
burping is taking too much air
into your digestive system. The excess
air must then be expelled. There are
several possible causes of swallowing
more air than your stomach can handle
such as loose dentures, hiccups, eating
or drinking too quickly, using a
straw, smoking, chewing gum,
and talking while eating.
Remedy: Pay attention to what
you were doing before the burping
started. Take notes to look for
a pattern and see if decreasing
the behavior resolves it. Also,
consider going for a short walk
after meals to help move the gas
through your system.
Some foods cause a buildup of gas
in your digestive system because of
their high levels of starch, sugar, or
fiber. Some common gas-inducing
foods include beans, broccoli, cabbage,
lentils, onions, dairy, peas,
bananas, raisons and whole wheat
bread. Carbonated drinks release
carbon dioxide bubbles into your
system and can increase belching.
A side effect of some medications is
burping as well.
Remedy: Keep a food diary to track
everything you eat, along with the frequency
and timing of your burps. You
can see any patterns between foods
then reduce or eliminate your consumption
of gas-producing foods and drinks.
Because burping is the release of gas
out of your mouth from your digestive
system, digestive issues are often the
cause. Some of the most common are:
Acid Reflux or GERD: Stomach acid
Belching, or burping, is a bodily process that helps
expel a build-up of gas from the digestive system.
Some people view it as rude or embarrassing, while
others find it amusing. Some even consider it a show
of appreciation for good food or drink. Regardless of
your personal take on burping, it’s a normal, healthy function,
all of us do an average of three to six times after each meal.
Still, if you find yourself burping excessively, it may cause you
concern. A variety of causes of gas buildup can lead to the
need to belch.
rises back toward the esophagus and
causes heartburn. This leads to an increase
in swallowing and the potential
for air to be taken in. Over the counter
medications are available to treat it,
though some also cause burping.
Hiatal hernia: This type of hernia
involves part of the upper stomach
pushing through an opening in the diaphragm.
Hiatal hernias are relatively
common after the age of 50, most often
causing no symptoms. Hence, people
are unaware of the hernia. When the
hernia causes burping, lifestyle changes,
and medication usually resolve the
symptom. Only rarely is surgery required
for a hiatal hernia.
Lactose intolerance: This is an inability
for the body to digest lactose in milk
that results in bloating, diarrhea, and
abdominal cramps, which lead to burping.
Avoidance of dairy products is the
easiest way to prevent symptoms.
Peptic ulcers: These are sores on the
lining of the stomach, esophagus, and
intestines caused by H. pylori bacteria
(Helicobacter pylori) or irritation
from pain relievers. The increase in
acid that eats away at the lining can
cause excess gas and belching. Ulcers
may heal on their own with lifestyle
changes like avoiding alcohol,
controlling stress, eating a healthy
diet, avoiding milk, and reducing the
use of pain relievers. Some medications
can treat ulcers or reduce stomach
acid irritation.
Irritable bowel syndrome: Also
known as IBS, this is a disorder
affecting the large intestine resulting
in digestive issues including
gas and bloating that can lead to
burping. IBS is a chronic condition
and requires long term management
of diet, lifestyle, stress, and
possibly the use of medication.
Fructose malabsorption: This
is when the body is unable to process
foods or drinks containing fructose,
leading to increased gas production or
bloating. To resolve it, read labels and
eliminate anything containing fructose
from your diet.
Remedy: In these cases, burping is a
symptom of a more significant problem.
By addressing the underlying
cause with medication or altering your
diet under the guidance of a medical
professional, you should experience a
reduction in gas production.
When dealing with excessive belching,
remember that generally, it’s temporary,
harmless, and can quickly be dealt with
by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
But if an increase in belching continues for
more than a couple weeks, is accompanied
by other symptoms like severe abdominal
pain, or affects your quality of
life, contact your doctor. It’s best to make
sure nothing more serious is going on with
your body that’s causing your burping.
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2020
37