Burping or belching is essentially the release of gas from the digestive tract through the mouth. It is accompanied with a typical sound and, at times, an odor. It is caused by the swallowing of air while eating or drinking. Burping can also be triggered by drinking carbonated drinks like soft drinks, beer, or champagne, and in such cases, it is the carbon dioxide that is expelled. In most cases, however, oxygen and nitrogen are expelled. Belching can also happen due to nausea, dyspepsia, heart burn, or ulcers. It is good to burp so as to remove excess gas, but burping or belching can often be a nuisance and an embarrassment.
What are the remedies? To avoid burping, it is best to eat and drink slowly. When you eat, chew well before you swallow. This will reduce burping. Do not gulp down large amounts of water, instead sip smaller amounts slowly. This also helps to avoid belching. When you drink carbonated drinks, be sure not to use straws as you land up swallowing the drink before any of the gas has escaped. You can also sip hot water in place of cold water after a meal. In addition, it is essential to remember not to lie down immediately after a meal. Take a walk or sit for some time before you take a nap.
Most often burping worsens depending on the kinds of foods we eat. To help digestion and clear the gas built up, you can eat a concoction of ginger and honey. Boil freshly crushed ginger and strain the liquid, add honey to taste. This will aid in digestion and also prevent excess gas. You can chew a piece of ginger soaked in lime juice every day to prevent burping. Also, boiling 10 to 15 cloves of garlic along with cumin seeds in water and then adding milk and sugar to it makes a an excellent drink, which can reduce burping. Before going to bed, eat mashed garlic; this will clear any gas that is built up in the digestive tract. Yogurt also aids in digestion, and it is good to have it daily. You can also have buttermilk flavored with fenugreek powder and ginger every day to avoid burping or belching. However, remember not to add too much fenugreek powder as it is bitter. Caraway seeds and peppermint are also considered excellent remedies for belching.
In case you are a habitual smoker, avoid smoking. When you smoke, you take in extra air, and hence, the need to burp or belch is increased.