|
[ Burping Excessively Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |
Ever since I came home from Australia, I have been plagued by bloating and excessive burping, especially at night. The strange thing was that this did not affect me back in Australia. Recently I went on a two-weeks trip to Croatia, and the burping subsided. Back home, it started again. My first thought was it must be the difference in food. I still hold on to this thought, but have recently read the archives on excessive burping, where Walt explains that it is a habit of swallowing air.
Three nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night and caught my self swallowing air! Started burping immediately. I got up and read the archives on the subject. It was interesting that most of the people who complained about this were NOT aware of the fact that they are swallowing air. Neither was I. The discovery was surprising. I then decided to follow closely what happens.
The next morning, I focused on what happens when I burp. After just a short while, I noticed that a stomach muscle (don't know the name, the diaphragm –or thereabouts) stays 'tucked in'. In other words, it doesn't relax after I burp. I found out there are two ways to relax that muscle again. One is to swallow air. But that air is automatically expelled again – a vicious circle.
The other way is to resist swallowing impulse, take a deep breath, and feel how the muscle expands and relaxes. Swallowing air is the unconscious action, but breathing deeply and relaxing has got to be conscious, at least until the habit is unlearned. After only three days, most of the burping has subsided. Or the moment it occurs, I can stop it by breathing properly.
I still don't understand why it occurs. I have been so ill before, and had huge problems with digestion, but never burped. Now that I'm fine, I burp. Sorry Walt, but I am not so sure if I agree with the accumulated stress theory in this case. I am long past that stage now. I have recovered to the point that I often feel so good and think life is wonderful to live. Also, I have learned how to avoid stresses (solve problems and avoid problems), which to me is a better solution than trying to repair the damage afterwards. I will write about this some other time.
What has changed is my posture. Because of too much time spent writing and reading, I have recently started to slouch, and maybe, due to my body structure, this put pressure on the stomach (or the incriminating muscle I don't know the name of). So I'll try to practice aware breathing and keep myself upright and see if the burping problem clears completely. I thought I'd share this, in case it helps someone.
In Reply to: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Sonja on April 25, 2003 at 03:36:47:
Hi Sonja,
Did you read the article on this website "The Modern Interpretation of Stress"? Did you read about bracing in the glossary and the article about Skilled Relaxation? You might understand this better.
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Sonja on April 25, 2003 at 03:36:47:
Hi Sonia and Dr Stoll,
I also tried to reduce the air I swallowed as advised by Dr Stoll. But I found it very difficult to do so. What I do is to consciously keep my mouth close, even when I eat, I tired not to open my mouth too big...I think I overdid it because I felt I could not breathe and nearby puked!
I still make an effort but not to overdo it especially when I eat. I am wondering Sonja what were the ways you did to reduce ur air-swallowing? And, with so much gas in ur body, did it bring on stomachaches and induced vomitting?
I am not sure about you but for me, gas problems also make breathing more difficult for me...since I started to close my mouth whenever possible, it makes me breathe more deeply at times so I am not sure if this cancels out the effect of reduction of air swallowing by mouth thru 'eating air'...Dr Stoll..any comments pl?
I am even unable to sit for a long time at the desk to do work because the gas is not stagnant, its stuck around the abdomen and literally the tummy subsides in and out very vigoriously. Very slight movement after food is many a times something impossible for me because of induced tummyache or the feeling of being so sick you feel like throwing up.
Dr Stoll, I have another theory, the problem persists day after day in varios kinds of discomfort..could it be a circulation problem because the gas is stuck around the abdomen so each slight movement brings on what feels like gas-induced tummyaches or feeling so bad that you feel like throwing up.....pl share some thoughts.
Meanwhile I am still reading....
Thanks in advance, both.
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Ericia on April 25, 2003 at 07:42:53:
Hi Ericia.
you ask what exactly did I do. I focused my mind on to my body.
I suppose this is the same thing that people do when they try to do progressive relaxation. To me, this comes naturally. Are you capable of doing this easily? Like, focusing on you toes and relaxing them? If you find that difficult, start excercising, because it can be learned.
So having a full attention to the stomach muscles and my breathing, I discovered what I described. Then I tried to stop swallowing air, and find an alternative way to relax that muscle. Very soon I realised that I should expand that muscle by breathing deeply. I had no stomach ache and no nausea. The bloating has quietly stopped.
I asked you already whether you have gas in stomach or in the small intestines. If you do, you'll feel a pressure or pain under your belly button. The gas from small intestines is not likely to come up as burping, but will be eventually passed through the colon. It is also likely to have other causes.
If you don't answer properly, it is difficult to help you. You say this happens no matter what you eat, but you did not tell us what you eat (or drink for that matter). This showes that you don't really understand the connection. If you are not willing to learn, how will you solve your problem?
You think you have tried everything, but did you ever see a chiropractor or a TCM practitioner? Both probably know more about gas problem than ordinary practitioners. There is always a solution, but finding it is never easy.
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Happygal on April 25, 2003 at 07:06:38:
I do have the book, and I think I understand the connection. I don't practice skilled relaxation, because I can relax at will. Already as a child I was able to focus and direct my attention easily. My problem now is that I sometimes spend too much time 'in the mind' and forget about the poor old body.
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Sonja on April 25, 2003 at 08:47:46:
Hi,
If the pain is as what you described, I do not have gas in the stomach.
What I mean by eating everything is I do not have a fixed diet...I do not slant towards any excesses. For example, I might eat noodles in the morning, rice with vegetables and meat for lunch and again rice, vegetables and meat for dinner again. I am Asian so my main carbohydrates are noodles, rice or bread. I take potatoes too. I do not really eat spicy food. I seldom take coffee, tea. I did not drink any carbonated drink for about 8 mths once but it did not really solve my bloating problem (then) so I did not abstain from them completely later on. I eat and drink very slowly cause my problem demands full consciousness from me when I eat or drink.
I hope I did not give the impression that I am resistant to learning. I am very willing to try but I really feel quite helpless.
Going to a chirprator should not be a problem...as long as I am going the right track.
You are lucky that its just s burping problem...mine is much more severe and that is why I have difficulty coping with it.
I appreciate your honest reply. Thanks.
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Sonja on April 25, 2003 at 08:47:46:
My intake of meat is not much. I take fish too.
I am seeing a traditional Chinese medicine doctor..that is what you mean by TCM practitioner right? I have given that info before. In fact, I have seen 3 of them in the past 6 years...each for at least 3 mths..the longest being about a year. I have said that I have seen th current one for 8 mths now.
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Sonja on April 25, 2003 at 09:00:26:
Hi Sonja,
Exactly -- spending too much time in the mind. It's great that you know how to relax at will -- what is most helpful is to do it twice a day, for 20 minutes each time. See the SR archive and glossary.
Best wishes,
Happygal
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Ericia on April 25, 2003 at 10:15:09:
Thanks, Ericia.
Yes, I do agree that your problem is much more severe than mine. But I used to have a severe problem with digestion. I have spent about 3 years getting rid of intestinal infections, and changing my lifestyle. 6 years later, I am still learning! The irony is that now that I have recovered, I started burping. Btw, the burping has now stopped completely.
I appreciate your answer too. I don't know whether your diet is good for you or not, but given your digestive problems, it could be. I have a Japanese friend, and she at first had big trouble eating Western food. She was sensitive to milk and dairy products. But she recovered when she started eating a whole food diet. In the process, she eliminated foods from her traditional diet that were making her feel unwell too. Today, she says she can't eat white rice, even though it used to be her staple food.
A great number of people react to refined carbohydrates (white flour, of which noodles are made; white, polished rice; white bread etc.). When they eliminate these foods they feel better. You might be one of those people. I know it feels unjust, and frustrating, and that you would like to know why - but there is no easy answer to that. Once you feel a bit better, you might wish to learn more about causes of this. But right now, you need to learn more about food.
Why don't you try eating a perfect whole food diet, and see how you go. There are books on the subject at the amazon.com, and there is an archive on BB as well. This is a huge effort, but it is definitely worth trying. I hope you have a supporting environment at home.
Eating a whole food diet means eating only natural foods, or whole grains. Sugar, caffeine, alcohol is out. Anything that comes out of a can, a tube or a box is out. No chewing gum. Just plain water or a herbal tea without caffeine.
Also, if I were you, I would try eating just meat, fish and vegetables (no rice, noodles or potatoes or sauce containg sugar of wheat) for a week. If this helps, it is the carbohydrates that are the culprit. Then you should try to find the minimum dose that you can tolerate without reaction.
Until you have tried this, you can't really say you've tried :) Good luck!
In Reply to: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Sonja on April 25, 2003 at 03:36:47:
Thanks, Sonja.
This is the best description of the process I have seen. Certainly somethig for anyone experiencing aerophagia to try!
Chronic stress is but one identifiable cause of this condition. Do you think it is possible that the travel and having to cope with different cultures might have something to do with stress acumulation? Holmes/Reye seems to think it is pretty significant.
Congratulations for your journey of discovery of your bodymind.
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Ericia on April 25, 2003 at 07:42:53:
Thansk, Ericia..
This IS one of the most difficult habits to break. However, just being aware of the process is the first step for everyone.
I have not seen circulation be a part of this condition but, knowing the cussed nature of humans anything is possible :o).
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? (Archive in burping.) posted by Walt Stoll on April 26, 2003 at 07:52:41:
Thanks, Walt.
I couldn't have done it without knowing that it was air swallowing.
Yes, definitely the stress of the long-haul, and changing completely the diet and the culture could have triggered this burping. The stressful event may have started it off, but then it quickly became a habit, out of awareness. I have to practice mindfulness more often, that's for sure.
All the best,
Sonja
In Reply to: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Sonja on April 25, 2003 at 03:36:47:
Congratulations Sonja.
In Reply to: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Sonja on April 25, 2003 at 03:36:47:
Congratulations Sonja.
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? (Archive in burping.) posted by Sonja on April 26, 2003 at 10:56:08:
Thanks, Sonja.
I see myself as a "Doorman". I open doors and the people who walk through (like you did) get better.
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Sonja on April 26, 2003 at 05:03:15:
Hi Sonja,
Thanks for replying faithfully.
I agree with you that this would require great effort on my part and probably extra adjustment on my family's part. What I fear more is the emotional setback...I am not afraid to try but after trying for so long and seeing so many TCM practitioners and the specialist as well, I am actually very discouraged. So each time, when I try something again,its an investment of my emotions too. I am not sure if you can understand that...I hope u do.
I might give your idea a try.will see I can work this in my working and non-workiing schedule..and keep you updated..
Thanks for sharing each time
With thots
Ericia
In Reply to: Re: Excessive burping - a breathing problem? posted by Ericia on April 27, 2003 at 08:40:00:
Of course I understand, Ericia. We hope to get help and feel let down when we don't..... That's why, in the end, it is important to take charge of ourselves.
Just one last bit of advice: don't give up if and when it gets difficult. In that way, all your efforts will be wasted. Just keep on going, and you'll be fine.
Let us know how you're doing.
Sonja
|
[ Burping Excessively Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
Search this site! | |