What are Sulfur Burps?
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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