Eructation, usually accompanied by a typical sound and odour, involves the release of gas from the digestive tract. Eructation is a natural physiological mechanism. Nevertheless, eructation that occurs frequently and for no apparent reason can be the sign of a dysfunction of the digestive system. The main causes of eructation are aerophagia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Excessive consumption of sugar and carbonated drinks, swallowing air, lack of food hygiene, insufficient mastication while eating, nervousness and stress are all factors that can lead to eructation.
The noise that can be heard when burping is caused by the passage of air through the oesophagus. In the case of aerophagia, certain disorders such as indigestion, stomach bloating or gas accumulation in the abdomen, stomach heaviness and a sensation of acidity in the mouth during the gas reflux may occur.
Swallowing air while swallowing may cause frequent belching. A patient who swallows food or drinks quickly can be affected by aerophagia. To prevent loud belching and other disorders related to aerophagia, take Argentum Nitricum 7 CH or Kali Carbonicum 5 CH in the morning. The subject can also take five granules of Nux vomica 5 CH or of Carbo Vegetalis 7 CH before meals. In case of persistent and frequent belching, accompanied by a bloating sensation, take 3 granules of China officinalis 5 CH three times a day.
The eructation may be preceded by stomach bloating that occurs just hours after a meal. Thus, it is advisable to take three granules of Nux vomica 5 CH right after eating. The same remedy is prescribed in case of somnolence or postprandial gastritis. If the stomach pain tends to be alleviated after belching, treatment can be completed by Argentum Nitricum 9 CH. Stomach bloating may cause oesophagus spasms that may result in loud and foul-smelling eructation. The spasm, usually caused by nervousness, can be relieved by Asa foetida 5 CH. If the eructations are frequent and cause inflammations in the throat, Asa foetida is indicated.
In some cases, eructation is accompanied by tympanites, a medical condition responsible for the stomach’s distention in which excess gas accumulates in the gastrointestinal tract. If the distension is observed on the lower part of the abdomen and if the bloating does not go away despite frequent belching, Lycopodium 5 CH is recommended. It is also possible to take Raphanus 5 CH if the abdominal distension tends to increase and if no eructation occurs. To relieve a stomach ache and diarrhoea, take 3 granules of China 5 CH every quarter of an hour until improvement is noticed.
A medical consultation becomes necessary whenever an aerophagia leads to other symptoms that accompany the eructations. It also advisable to seek medical attention if the eructations are accompanied by bloating and when fatigue, lack of appetite, hyperthermia and weight loss occur.
• Ambra Grisea
• Antimonium Crudum
• Aerogastria
Good to know: In children, eructation may be accompanied by vomiting. Thus, it is important to heal a person who suffers from frequent eructation. Homoeopathic remedies are among the most suitable solutions to treat infantile eructation.
