Belching

BACK TO INDEX

BELCHING

A belch is swallowed air that comes back up-usually, with a noisy, embarrassing vengeance. In fact, 70 percent of air in the gastrointestinal tract is swallowed air. You gulp in air because you're nervous. Perhaps most commonly, you swallow air when you talk and eat simultaneously. Along with the peas goes in air.

Silent Digestion

Try simethicone

Available over-the-counter as Gas-X or Phazyme, this enables you to belch, so the bloating goes down.

Skip the bubbly stuff-and bubble gum

Certain foods and drinks are particularly gas-producing. Stay away from carbonated beverages and chewing gum.

Drink from a straw

Drinking through a straw results in less air swallowing.

And, yes, chew your food

The more quickly you eat, the more likely you are to take in year. If you chew your food throughly before you swallow it, air is less likely to enter your digestive tract.

Put a few morsels in your tummy

Haven't eaten all day? If your stomach gets-and you can't control when.

Switch to relaxed-fit jeans

Sometimes, wearing tight girdles or belts or too-snug pants and skirts can force air up and out. To keep belching down to a minimum, wear loose, comfortable clothes.