As many know, a few burps here or there are par for the
course in life. However, sulfur burps are a bit different—they smell awful and
cause many to feel embarrassed about themselves. Burps are largely the result
of swallowed air, but the gas in sulfur burps is caused by vegetables and various
other foods that contain sulfur. For those who have sulfur burps and are
bothered by them, there are some ways to rid yourself of them. To get a better
idea, learn a bit more about sulfur burps below.
Causes of Burps
Gas inside the intestines and stomach can be air that had
entered via a person’s mouth, or it can be other gases made by bacteria while
they break food down. Air is typically swallowed when smoking, drinking or eating
too fast, sucking on candy, or chewing gum. Loose dentures could also lead to
swallowing air, and consuming soda or other soft drinks puts carbon dioxide into
the stomach that is later released through burps.
Sulfur Burps
The smell of rotten eggs common in sulfur burps comes from
hydrogen sulfide gas due to a gut infection or condition or something the
person ate. There are vegetables with sulfur compounds, which gut bacteria help
you digest but in process create more hydrogen sulfide. Broccoli, brussels
sprouts, and similar cruciferous vegetables contain sulfur. Beer as well as
high-protein foods can also yield hydrogen sulfide inside the gut.
Gastroesophageal reflux eventually causes the smelly gases in the stomach to
exit through the mouth. Partly digested food inside the stomach comes up through
the esophagus, leading to discomfort and the sulfur burps.
There is also a chance that an infection called giardia is responsible
for the sulfur burps a person is having. Giardia works by tiny parasites
setting up inside your small intestine and causing diarrhea, weight loss, poor
appetite, and bad-smelling burps. Giardia is one serious infection, so if
someone is experiencing these symptoms, he or she needs to see a doctor immediately.
Home Remedies
Home treatment for sulfur burps will involve a few dietary
changes. For instance, start chewing food more slowly while avoiding hard
candies or gum to cut down on the amount of air being swallowed. Reducing the
number of vegetables with sulfur can also help reduce these burps though this
can vary among individuals. Experiment a bit by taking one kind of food out of
your diet, one per time, for just two to three days in order to discover what
triggers the attacks. If loose dentures may be the cause, visit the dentist. As
well, keep breath fresh by using mouthwash after each meal.
Medical Treatment
If sulfur burps are interrupting your quality of life or you
worry they could signal something more serious, schedule an appointment with
your physician, who can provide a diagnosis and prescribe medication, such as
alpha-galactosidase for helping the digestion of vegetables and beans. There is
also simethicone, which can relieve bloating. Continue checking in with your physician
in case there are signs of anything more serious.
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