Aerophagia: causes, symptoms and treatment

The cause of aerophagia is swallowing air during meals, however there are other factors that can generate this sensation:

• Smoke.
• Chew gum.
• Eat very fast.
• Using poorly fitting dentures.
• Eating foods that produce gas .
• Drink soda.
• Lactose intolerance .
• Respiratory diseases that prevent breathing and swallowing at the same time.

There are also pathologies in which aerophagia can occur:

• Celiac disease .
• Ascites and tumors.
• Gastric evacuation syndrome.
• Pancreatic insufficiency.

As we have commented previously, this condition can also occur in babies and occurs when they swallow air when taking a bottle, either because they drink very quickly or because they are not well attached to the mother’s breast when sucking on the mother’s breast. For this it is necessary that you consult your doctor and he will teach you the correct way to do it.

The accumulation of gases in the digestive tract is generated in two ways, through the air that we ingest when swallowing or by the bacteria that form in the intestinal tract and this generates the symptoms of aerophagia :

• Swollen abdomen, due to the pressure of gases.
• Intestinal noises
• Abdominal pain, which can cause throbbing in the chest .
• Odorless burps.
• Flatulence without odor.

The key to the treatment for aerophagia is in the eating habits, so the first step to treat this condition is, eat slowly, chew food well and avoid eating in a hurry and under stress, the time of the meal should be for enjoy it.

It is necessary that you avoid the factors that cause aerophagia such as chewing gum, smoking or drinking carbonated or carbonated drinks, such as beer and soft drinks, which in addition to increasing gas irritate the colon .

Another measure that you can take as part of the treatment for aerophagia is to pay attention to the way you cook food, avoiding consuming fried foods and foods with excess sauces and spices. Legumes are foods that produce flatulence, but their contribution of vitamins is necessary for our body. Avoid gases by cooking them in the following way:

• Soak them the night before and add two tablespoons of vinegar.
• Boil the legumes in water with a tablespoon of ginger. Strain them, wash them and put them to cook in clean water.
• Use herbs with carnitive properties to cook, sage, coriander and rosemary are good options.

If the cause of aerophagia is poorly fitting dentures, visit your dentist for a solution. In the event that you suffer from respiratory failure, which prevents you from breathing and swallowing at the same time, consult your doctor to learn about the options to avoid aerophagia .

Here are some home remedies to avoid gas :

• Chamomile is the natural remedy par excellence to treat gas, due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Make an infusion with a teaspoon of dried chamomile and a cup of boiling water.
• Cinnamon tea , it is a natural digestive, drink it after meals.
• Mint tea will help you eliminate flatulence, you can also use it to flavor your meals.

It should be noted that in all people there can be a certain degree of aerophagia, our duty is to discover what foods produce it, in order to avoid them. Here are other recommendations to avoid aerophagia:

• Respect meal times.
• Avoid overeating carbohydrates and fats.
• Drink water.
• Eat grilled and lightly seasoned foods.
• Do not drink during meals, this slows down digestion.
• If you are lactose intolerant, use soy milk .
• Cut back on alcohol and tobacco.
• Walk for 10-15 minutes after eating.

If you want more information about aerophagia, we recommend the article on foods that cause aerophagia .

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Aerophagia: causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Digestive System category .