Home Remedies for Belching
Home remedies for belching include asafetida, cold milk, mint leaves, water, correct diet and posture. Avoiding carbonated beverages, canned food, antacids, chewing gum and smoking are also some of the precautions for Belching.
Belching or burping is a common event which is usually followed after a meal. It is characterized by a clear, loud voice in order to expel the undesirable gas that got entrapped in the stomach while swallowing, drinking or talking. Although belching is a natural process, it leaves the person embarrassed and uncomfortable and therefore proper food habits must be followed in order to avoid these burps.
Belching which is also referred to as burping, distension or eructation is the act of bubbling out gas from mouth that is present in the stomach. Though some individuals find it awkward, for others, it is a natural occurrence. This external air tends to come out forcefully accompanied with a characteristic burble noise. It does not occur regularly as it depends on the physiological conditions of the person, hence, the frequency and forcefulness of burping may change. Flatus, a related term means passing of the gas from lower gastrointestinal tract to outside via anus. Belching aids in relieving symptoms like dyspepsia, heartburn and nausea.
In simplified way, it can be explicated as the release of air present in stomach, which enters via mouth during eating or drinking any fluid. This air can also enter unconsciously while talking cited as aerophagia that is ‘eating-air’. It may also occur due to intake of antacids like baking soda which end up in gas formation in stomach. Sometimes the abdomen gets swelled due to overeating or consuming spicy food. This also causes formation of gas in stomach leading to belching. Other than this, acidity can also be a major factor in causing belch. Acidity occurs due to ingestion of cholesterol and fat rich diet.
Whilst belching is a natural phenomenon, but if it persists for long, the problem should be taken care off well as it is uncomfortable and embarrassing in front of others. There are a number of home remedies which can decrease or subside belching.
Home remedies for belching
Asafoetida: These are well known since ages for giving relief in belching. They check the formation of gas due to acidity as well as make a person get rid of the existing gas that got entrapped during talking, swallowing and drinking. Asafetida can give relief from the pain by expulsing the gas. A few seeds of asafetida are swallowed with water which pass down in raw form. Sometime due to the presence of gas in stomach, one undergoes severe stomachache. It is considered as the best home medicine against gas.
Cold Milk: Cold milk has been shown to cause reduction in acidity. It pacifies the burning sensation which is felt due to spicy food and gives relief to the individual within minutes.
Mint Leaves: When acidity is felt after a spicy meal, chewing some fresh leaves of mint can aid in cooling of stomach and are the best way of obtaining relief sooner.
Water: As recommended by Bio-Medicine, one should keep mouth dry as it enhances swallowing resulting in belch. Thus, water should be drunk regularly to keep mouth wet.
Correct Diet: Try to avoid fatty and cholesterol rich diet. Consumption of spicy food also promotes acidity. It should also be borne in mind that overeating also leads to gas formation resulting in burps. Items like whipped cream, omelets and ice-creams can be avoided to get relieve from burps.
Posture: According to Medline Plus, staying in a particular posture is also helpful in expulsion of the undesirable gas. Lying in a knee-chest position or on one side until the gas is passed has been found to be effective.
Eating slowly: Some people have a habit of eating quickly in order to save time. But it should be kept in mind that when food is not masticated properly, it does not get digested completely resulting in gas formation. The stomach has to put mechanical energy to grind it, which also leads to stomachache. One should not talk while eating, as it leads to undesirable swallowing of air causing belching.
Canned food: Fast foods which are canned usually contain carbon dioxide to prevent spoilage of the same. Similarly, most of the soft drinks are also carbonated and end up in gas formation resulting in regular belch for quite some time. These should be avoided as far as possible. Antacids should never be taken as they produce lot of gas after reaching stomach.
Avoid Chewing Gum, and Cigarette: Aerophagia usually occurs due to production of excess saliva. Hence smoking and chewing gums must be avoided to lessen salivation.
In people who suffer from milk intolerance, home remedies are not effective as the enzyme responsible for breakdown of milk is missing. Hence, they must seek medical assistance as there are drugs that release bubbles after intake of milk. To sum up, belching is a natural process and it should not be curbed. Proper food and good eating habits can let you relieve from burping.
References: Medline Plus and Bio-Medicine
