If you experience a sour taste in your mouth, a painful or burning feeling near the chest, hoarseness or belching, you may have heartburn or acid reflux. You're not alone. Many Americans have heartburn or acid reflux every month, and a sizable percentage experience it every week. Many researchers think official estimates are too low, since many people with reflux choose to self-medicate using over-the-counter medications.
Step 1
Loosen any tight-fitting clothing around your chest or waist. Tight clothing puts extra pressure on the stomach and could increase acid reflux.
Step 2
Stand upright. Sitting, reclining and lying down makes it easier for acid to reflux from your stomach to your mouth.
Step 3
Burp. Revisit your baby years and consider asking someone to pat the center of your back, gently. If they're willing, ask them to throw in a light, circular, rubbing motion. This may help the air bubbles rise gently from your stomach.
Tips and Warnings
- Try not to swallow air to force a belch. The air you swallow probably won't make it down to your stomach and could increase the amount of acid splashed up into your esophagus. Controlling the amount you belch is possible, but preventing gas is a better idea. Try probiotics or digestive enzymes such as lactase supplements. These may help your body digest food and could reduce the gas. Eat four or more small meals per day, drink fluids between meals, limit soda or alcohol, reduce gum chewing, quit smoking, reduce caffeine and maintain a healthy weight.
- Your belching may be a sign that your untreated heartburn is damaging the lining of your esophagus, and this can lead to a more severe disease -- Barrett's esophagus. Talk to your primary care physician about lifestyle changes and medications that will you reduce your belching and reflux.
References
- UCLA Department of Medicine; GERD and Belching; Ronald S. Siegel, M.D.; September 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Bloating, Belching and Intestinal Gas: How to Avoid Them; April 2009
- "Digestive Diseases and Sciences"; Rabeprazole 20 mg for Erosive Esophagitis-Associated Symptoms in a Large, Community-Based Study: Additional Results; A. Cutler, et al.; June 2009
