Belching

Belching is also known as burping, eructation or ructus. It is commonly done to relieve a build-up of gas in the stomach. Everyone burps or belches occasionally.

Causes of Belching

Belching can be caused by swallowing in air while you eat or drinking something very fast. It can also be caused by drinking carbonated drinks and from a high dosage of diabetes drug such as metformin and byetta. Belching can be triggered by two main things:

• Firstly eating too much gassy foods such as bran, vegetables and raw fruits.
• By drinking too fast, talking while eating, chewing gum, sucking on candy, smoking a pipe or cigarettes or even chewing on a cigar.

Symptoms of Belching

• Nausea or an upset stomach
• Dyspepsia
• Heartburn and gastro esophageal reflux
• Bloating
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Flatulence or passing of wind
• Weight loss or rapid fluctuations in weight
• Abnormal pain
• Vomiting

Treatment for Belching

To treat belching it is important to avoid habits such as excessive chewing of gum or smoking. It is also important that you avoid gaseous foods and drinks such as bran, raw fruits, vegetables, beer and soda.
One should always chew their food properly and eat food slowly.
Do not drink from a straw as it causes belching.
You can also try relaxation therapy or behavioral therapy as these have been found to be useful in the treatment of belching.

Over the counter medications to treat the gas related symptoms such as simethicone, activated charcoal and beano can be used or a change in diet can be identified to help with belching. These dietary changes include rice flour as these produce the least amount of gas.

Belching in a nut shell

At one time or another everyone belches or burps to relieve the build-up of gas in the stomach. Belching is not a problem that needs medical attention.

Too much saliva, digestive disorders such as a peptic ulcer, ill-fitting dentures or nausea can also lead to an increase in air swallowing.

People pass wind on average eight to ten times each day.