Gas, Bloating, and Burping

Home Treatment

Gas, bloating, and burping

Gas, bloating, and burping are usually harmless and go away without any treatment. If gas, bloating, or burping is making you uncomfortable, take the following steps to help manage your symptoms:

• Increase the amount of fluid you drink, especially water. Avoid carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid foods that cause gas, such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, and bran. The amount of gas that different foods cause varies from person to person.
• Avoid swallowing air. Swallowing air may increase your symptoms.
  • Eat slowly. Avoid gulping food or beverages. When you rush through meals or eat on the run, you are more likely to swallow air.
  • Chew your food thoroughly before you swallow.
  • Avoid drinking through a straw.
  • Avoid chewing gum or eating hard candy.
  • Do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
  • If you wear dentures, check with a dentist to make sure they fit properly.
  • Keep calm. Tension and anxiety can cause you to swallow air.
• Take a medicine that you can buy without a prescription. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
  • Activated charcoal tablets, such as CharcoCaps, may decrease odor from gas. Charcoal is usually taken after meals or at the first sign of gas discomfort.
  • Antacids, such as Di-Gel, Maalox Anti-Gas, and Mylanta Gas, allow gas to be belched away more easily. However, these medicines often have no effect on gas that is already in the intestines.
  • Food enzymes, such as Beano, which help break down the sugars found in vegetables and grains, can be added to foods that cause you to have gas.

Hiccups

Hiccups are usually harmless and go away without any treatment. But if hiccups are making you uncomfortable, the following safe and easy home remedies may help you manage your symptoms.

• Swallow a teaspoon of dry granulated sugar. Do not use this remedy if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.
• Hold your breath and counting slowly to 10.
• Breathe repeatedly into a paper bag for a limited period of time.
• Quickly drink a glass of cold water.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate the symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• New symptoms develop, such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, or vomiting.
• Hiccups last longer than 24 hours.
• Hiccups return frequently.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: September 6, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
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