Stomach Gas and Belching

What Causes Constant Belching?

Belching is actually a way for the body to do itself a favor by expelling unneeded stomach gas through the mouth. Belching, of course, is also known as burping or eructation.

For instance, we all know how important it is for a baby to burp during feeding. It's a way of releasing stomach gas and therefore avoiding the discomfort of gas in the stomach. But constant belching or excessive belching can be socially embarrassing.

So what causes excessive belching? The most common cause is swallowed air. The act of swallowing air is also known as aerophagia. Gas collects in the stomach when we swallow air while eating, chewing gum, sipping drinks, smoking etc. People under duress tend to breath faster, and they often draw that breath through their mouth. People with loose dentures also tend to swallow air when they eat.

People frequently belch after they eat because air collects in the stomach before and during the meal. As food fills the stomach, it displaces the stomach gas that's already there in the form of a belch.

Swallowing the air isn't the only way to create the stomach gas that results in belching. There are a number of different foods that tend to create gas in the stomach and cause more excessive belching. To learn more, click on causes of stomach gas.

Belching after a meal, especially a big meal, may be normal. Sometimes people think belching indicates that they're having a problem with digestion. This is not usually the case. Belching is a normal and natural process the body uses to relieve or prevent discomfort from the buildup of stomach gas and other types of gas.

To avoid belching, avoid foods that produce gas in the stomach, and try to control aerophagia, or the amount of air you swallow. In addition, stay to stay as calm and relaxed as you can in today's hectic, 24/7 world.

For more information, click on stomach gas causes.