Issue Date: March 1, 2009
Your best bets to banish burps
Everybody burps, but most folks prefer to keep belching to a minimum. Well, gas production is a normal part of digestion, so it's unrealistic to expect a burp-free existence. But there are ways to minimize burping.
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Burping occurs when gas in the stomach escapes through the esophagus.
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Burping ("eructation" to doctors) occurs when gas in the stomach escapes through the esophagus. This gas is either formed by the stomach itself or introduced through swallowing.
Certain conditions make it easier for gas to head back up the food pipe: a hiatal hernia (the stomach protrudes above the diaphragm) and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. These problems respond well to medical intervention.
On the other hand, only your behavior can control the air you introduce into your stomach. Anything that makes you swallow more frequently (chewing gum, eating fast, smoking, sinus drainage, drinking through a straw) lets in more air. Drinking carbonated beverages adds gas to the stomach.
If your belching is out of the ordinary and your doctor finds no medical reason, minimize gum and sodas and eat slowly. Keep a diet record to identify any problem foods.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and CEO of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
Want to know more about diets to help combat acid reflux? Click here.
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