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Help! My Spouse Belches All the Time
Learning to live with the quirks of a life mate can sometimes be difficult. But if your spouse has an awful habit of belching all the time, it’s important to know that something more serious may be going on with their health.
At OakBend Medical Group, our bariatric surgeons, Christopher Reilly, MD, FACS, Steven M. Thomas, MD, FACS, and Genna Lubrano, MD, understand how irritating it can be to hear someone constantly belching. However, know that in some cases, people who belch can’t help it and may need medical attention.
Why you belch
Belching is the act of releasing air from your stomach through your mouth. You may have too much air in your stomach if you swallow too much air or your stomach becomes distended.
People swallow too much air for a number of reasons. Babies, for example, need to burp during feedings because they take in a lot of air when swallowing breast milk or formula. You might also be prone to belching after drinking soda or other carbonated beverages or if you eat or drink too fast.
Other reasons why you might swallow too much air include:
- Smoking
- Chewing gum
- Talking while you eat
- Drinking through a straw
Hyperventilating and having an anxiety attack can also cause air to build up in your stomach.
Foods that are high in fiber, sugar, or starch such as beans, broccoli, bananas, and cabbage can also contribute to belching.
There are also a range of underlying medical conditions that can contribute to persistent belching, some of which require medical attention.
Medical causes of belching
One of the more common medical conditions to cause belching is chronic acid reflux, a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD develops when stomach acids flow back up into your esophagus due to weakness in a valve in your diaphragm.
You may be more susceptible to GERD and its symptoms if you’re overweight or obese, if you live a sedentary lifestyle, or if you often eat large meals and your stomach distends.
Other medical conditions that can contribute to belching include:
- Ulcers
- Celiac disease
- Lactose intolerance
- Gastritis (stomach lining inflammation)
Our bariatric surgeons offer treatment options for people who belch frequently because of acid reflux or GERD. If you’re obese and can’t lose weight on your own, you may be a candidate for surgery.
How bariatric surgery can stop belching
Losing weight takes the pressure off the organs in your gastrointestinal tract. This can greatly reduce your risk for recurrent acid reflux, heartburn, and other uncomfortable issues.
For some, even a good diet and daily exercise aren’t enough to shed enough weight. If you’ve been trying different diets or are limited in what you can do physically because of your weight, it may be time to consider bariatric surgery.
Our weight loss experts offer comprehensive health evaluations to determine if surgery is right for you. We perform several types of bariatric procedures, including gastric sleeve, gastric balloon, and gastric bypass surgeries, to limit how many calories you can take in, so the weight comes off quickly and safely.
If you’re tired of your spouse’s endless belching, schedule a consultation online or call OakBend Medical Group today.
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