Burping is a very natural body function, in people of all kinds. There are many people of all ages, who suffer from the problem of smelly burps. In some of the people, this could be a one time occurrence, caused by the consumption of a certain food item. However, there are several people who have the problem of stinky burps on a regular basis. Most people regard such foul burps more as more of an inconvenience, rather than anything else, as it could be a constant source of embarrassment. However, not a lot of people realize that foul smelling burps could be an indication of poor food processing and other digestive related problems.
After eating, when the food remains in the intestines, unprocessed or undigested for an extended period of time, it begins to ferment, which in turn, leads to a smelly burp or acid burps. The main cause of this odor is the presence of small quantities of sulfide in the colon. When this occurs, a person’s burp smells like gas, which is why, such burps are also known as sulfur burps. There are some food items, which have the tendency to ferment when they are in the intestinal tract are starch, sugars, dietary fibers, complex carbs and sweeteners like fructose and sorbitol. In addition to that, there are certain varieties of legumes, like dried beans, which contain a substance, which keeps the enzymes in the intestines from digesting starch. Because of this, the starch remains unprocessed and unabsorbed in the small intestines. This unprocessed food is then moved to the colon, which leads to fermentation of the food in the intestines.
Most people just leave cases of rotten egg burps untreated or use simple home remedies to alleviate the signs and symptoms of excessive gas. However, health experts state that signs of discomfort due to indigestion should not be ignored. Leaving sulphur burps unchecked and untreated could lead to serious digestive disorders as well as further complications. Two of the most serious conditions that could lead to sulfer burps include acid reflux and gastroparesis.
Acid reflux is a condition in which a person suffers from the backward flow of acids from the stomach into the esophagus. A person suffering from this condition is quite likely to suffer from acid reflux burping, during which sour liquid or regurgitated food, comes up, right to the back of the throat. This also causes a burning sensation in the chest, which in turn leads to heart burn.
What causes acid reflux?
When a person swallows food, the lower esophageal sphincter eases, so that the food and liquid flow down, to the stomach, after which it closes, so that the acids from the stomach do not flow back into the esophagus. However, there are many factors that cause this sphincter to relax or perhaps even weaken, because of which the acids of the stomach can flow back into the esophagus, causing burping and heartburn.
Gastroparesis can be described as a condition in which the muscles of the stomach do not function in the way that they should. The muscles of the stomach need to be strong enough to move food through the digestive tract. However, when a person suffers from gastroparesis, the muscles in the stomach either function in a poor manner, or not at all. Some of the symptoms of this condition include feeling of fullness, abdominal bloating, nausea and vomiting.
What causes gastroparesis?
The main cause of gastroparesis is damage to the nerves, which control the muscles in the stomach. Diseases like diabetes or even a surgery in the stomach or the small intestines can cause the nerve to weaken. Some of the most common factors that could interfere with the proper functioning of the stomach include:
• Diabetes
• The use of certain medication
• Parkinson’s disease
• Anorexia
• Hypothyroidism
• Cancer treatment
• Scleroderma
• Bulimia
Studies indicate that there is also a strong correlation between gastroparesis and alcohol. When a person suffers from gastroparesis, alcohol should be strictly avoided, because it can interfere with gastric emptying and can reduce antral contractility.
Most people, who suffer from this problem on a regular basis, look for a smelly burps cure, to save themselves the discomfort, as well as the embarrassment. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure or treatment for the problem of smelly burps. However, there are certain home remedies for smelly burps, which can help alleviate the problem, to a great extent. Given below are some of the most effective ways to treat the problem of stinky burps:
• Drinking 2 big glasses of warm water every morning, immediately, after waking up, to reduce the chances of fermentation of food
• Taking one sulfur pill each day, just before bedtime, for the duration of 5 days
• Adding one teaspoon of vinegar to half a cup of water and drinking the mixture once a day, for a period of 5 days
Some of the cures for smelly burps or burps that smell like rotten eggs could also include certain lifestyle and dietary changes. There are certain foods that evoke an adverse reaction in some people. Hence, it is important for an individual to identify such foods and avoid them. Foods that usually cause the problems of smelly burps include milk, dairy products, caffeine, alcohol and spicy food. People should also make sure that they eat small, but frequent meals during the course of the day. Drinking beverages with a straw causes the body to ingest additional amounts of air, which also leads to excessive gas and therefore, this should be avoided.
The home remedies for smelly burps that have been mentioned above are fairly safe, if used correctly. However, it is best to consult a doctor, before trying any of them. Moreover, all instances of foul smelling burps should be investigated and treated by a doctor. In case a person suffers from smelly burps and diarrhea, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
The whiff of a smelly burp is an indication of poor digestion of food. When food that has been undigested in the intestines stays there for a period of time, it starts to ferment thus resulting in foul burping or belching. Odor originates due to the presence of tiny quantities of sulfide matter produced by particular bacteria in the colon. Certain foods that have the tendency of fermenting in the intestinal tract without getting digested include: dietary fiber, starch, complex carbohydrates, sugars and sweeteners such as sorbitol or fructose etc.
In some legumes such as dried beans, there are certain substances that prevent an intestinal enzyme from digesting the starch, thus in turn leading to starch being unabsorbed in the small bowel, which is then passed into the colon without being digested thus leading to fermentation. Under any given condition, do not ignore the signs of discomfort due to indigestion of food as prolonging the condition can cause digestive disorders and lead to further complications. Extended instances of smelly burps without any respite can be either due to gastroparesis or acid reflux.
In case of gastroparesis it is important to carefully diagnose the condition as most of its symptoms are similar to that of other gastrointestinal obstruction illnesses including cancer.
Patients afflicted with gastroparesis are advised to undergo a diet based on liquid or semi-solid foods. Ensure that there is a reduced quantity of fat; even moderate amounts of fat must be avoided altogether as a preventative measure. In gastroparesis, fat cannot be broken down by the digestive tract and calls for substantial intestinal movement (peristalsis) to stir the fatty foods with bile and other enzymes in order to take apart the fats. Alcohol must also be strictly avoided in gastroparesis as it can cause further aggravation and can delay gastric emptying.
If you are experiencing gastroparesis, do not attempt to manage the condition by yourself, it has to be treated with professional medical assistance. Contact your physician immediately if you believe that that you might be experiencing gastroparesis.
Acid reflux on the other hand can also be the cause of foul smelling burps and the foul odor is one of the main symptoms of the condition. Acid reflux or heartburn takes place when stomach acid accumulates into the esophagus. When there is an abnormal weakening or relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, stomach acid flows back to the esophagus, causing acid reflux. Acid reflux that takes place quite often and hinders with daily life routine is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Consult your doctor if acid reflux is a recurrent affair or if the condition no longer responds to nonprescription medicines.