Tips for Curbing Belching
by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger
16 Feb 2009 04:07 PM
The average digestive system carries an average of one cup of air (or less) during the day. However, the amount of air in the digestive system can shoot up while eating, drinking, and swallowing. The body is always looking to vent excess air -- and that's one reason why we burp.
If you're embarrassed by excessive belching, here are some things to think about:
- Watch your swallowing. Swallowing air (aerophagia) is a common cause for belching. Some people just swallow more than others! You might not notice it yourself, but if you ask friends and family, they could tell you if you are a frequent swallower. Once you're aware of excessive swallowing, you may automatically curb yourself.
- Avoid carbonated beverages (like sodas and beers) and foods with high air content like whipped cream, omelets, ice cream, and soufflés. Save those foods for at-home meals, instead of public situations where you might get embarrassed by a belch.
- Some fatty foods tend to produce gas in the upper digestive system. If you're worried about belching, avoid foods like margarine, sour cream, and salad oils. Save those foods for at-home meals, rather than important business lunches!
- Eat slowly and chew food fully before swallowing. Always chew with your mouth closed.
- Drink from a glass, not a can, bottle, or straw. (This one always gets me -- I belch much more drinking from a can or with a straw than without.)
- If you're already gassy, pop those bubbles. An over the counter antacid that contains simethicone (like Maalox or Mylanta) can help break up large bubbles in the stomach.
- If you tend to swallow air when you're nervous, try this trick: hold a pencil or your finger between your teeth. It's hard to swallow when you're holding something clamped between your teeth!
While impolite in certain situations, burping isn't necessarily BAD or unhealthy. Your body needs to vent that excess air somehow! These tips can help lessen belching, but probably won't eliminate it entirely.
