Belching
Belching occurs when you swallow air. This can make you feel uncomfortably full, which makes you get rid of the excess air to relieve this feeling. This is a natural body process that is actually very amazing. Burping releases only gas. Stomach contents and acid do not go into the lungs or up the esophagus.
Symptoms
Releasing air in this manner creates a specific sound that most people recognize that may cause the belcher embarrassment. Sometimes a bad odor accompanies the release. While it is is our body's natural way of releasing excess air in the digestive tract, it can be awkward in social situations. In some countries, however, it is considered normal at the end of a meal and shows your appreciation of the food.
Causes
Rushing through your meals or drinks can cause you to swallow a surprising amount of air and not be aware of it. By eating and drinking more slowly, you cut down on how much air accompanies your food into your stomach. Certain beverages like beer, lemonade and other gaseous drinks may create more air in your stomach. Chewing gum may also contribute to this. In rare cases, belching may be a sign of a deficiency of an enzyme, which is most often lactase.
Cautions
Chronic belching may be a sign of a more serious underlying problem; stomach ulcers can give similar symptoms as can diseases of the gallbladder. If you belch excessively or if you suffer from consistent abdominal pain, see your physician right away for further tests.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Ginger – add some fresh ginger to a cup of boiling water to make an herbal tea that relieves gas. You can also eat crystallized ginger to help the symptoms dissipate.
- Anise – this herb relieves gas very well. For the control of unwanted excess air, drink anise tea after you finish a meal. Sip the herbal tea slowly.
- Chamomile – this herb has been a treatment for the digestion for generations. Make a tea from fresh flowers or you can use commercial tea bags. Drink a cup whenever you are feeling gassy or uncomfortable.
- Cinnamon – make a tea of the cinnamon bark by adding 1 teaspoon or less of ground cinnamon to 1 cup of boiling water. Allow this to steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink this tea during meals.
- Mint – adding 2 or 3 drops of mint oil to your tea may help with digestion and cut down on belching.
- Garlic – swallow a chopped clove of garlic with water on an empty stomach to improve the digestion and get rid of gas problems. Adding garlic to your food may help as well.
- Fenugreek – soak the seeds of fenugreek overnight in water and drink the liquid in the morning to relieve any excess air build up.
- Asafetida – add this herb to your food to help release unwanted gases from the stomach.
- Lemon – drink a cup of water to which 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and a small amount of apple cider vinegar has been added before eating meals. This prevents unwanted gases from forming in the stomach.
- Dill – add a few drops of dill oil into a teaspoon of honey and eat this after a meal to relieve gas in the stomach.
External Applications
- Cloves – sucking on a clove or two after meals may help relieve belching.
- Cardamom – chew a pod or two of cardamom after meals to release gas from the stomach.