| In certain cultures,
a belch after dinner is traditionally considered a compliment to the cook.
In the Western world, if an adult belches after dinner - or any time, for
that matter - it is considered to be a breach of manners.
Babies burp, and it is certainly a satisfying sound to the mother or father who has been patting or rubbing the baby's back. Children belch too, because they think it's a funny game and sometimes the competition gets noisily intense. Over the years, however, such child's play can turn into a habit of frequently and unconsciously swallowing air - a habit that can result in belching. If you suffer of aerophagia, the medical term of repetitive belching, you have probably endured the embarrasment of an unexpected outburst at precisely the most inelegant moment. But your habit can easily be broken if you just become aware of when and how you swallow air and stop doing it. Here how: Stifle it. Chronic belchers may force themselves to belch because it provides temporary relief. On a fluoroscope (a special type of X ray used to visualize a body part in motion), a bleching person can be seen forcing air into the mouth and esopagus. So if you're a chronic belcher, you need to make a concious effort to squelch that belch. Don't smoke. Here is yet another reason to give up smoking if you remain in the ever-dwindling population that still engages in the habit. By inhaling on cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, you are swallowing excessive amounts of air - much more than the belch can let out. And if you are counting on chewing gum or sucking on hard candy to help kick the habit, think again, these activities stimulate air swallowing too. Mind you manners. Mom was right agin when she tokd you not to talk with our mouth full. This habit allows air into the mouth , which is then swallowed with the food. Eat slowly. People who gulp down food and beverages are, for one thing, swallowing excessive amounts of air. They're also crowding the stomach with too much to digest, which causes gaseous buildup. Once you take a mouthful, put down your fork of chopsticks and chew your food well before taking another bite. Relax. Anxiety and stress can cause you to swallow more often which increases the amount of air taken in. You'll have tomake a conscious effort to minimize air swallowing because you'll only complicate your stress with stomach gas. Don't catch cold. One sure thing about a cold is that it brings along postnasal drip , which will probably make you swallow much more frequently. So try to blow your nose to clear your nasal passages. Better yet, you should try to protect yourself from exposure to cold viruses. Avoid bubbly beverages. Drinking carbonated beverages, including beer, creates air in the stomach. Stay away from these drinks. Go strawless. Drinking through a straw will only increase the amount of air you swallow. |
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