You’ve just finished a meal when suddenly, you feel it coming up: foamy liquid that makes you burp.
This is especially problematic when you’re in the presence of others.
There is a cause to the problem of burping up foamy or bubbly liquid after eating.
“Waterbrash – or the production of excess secretions/saliva – is a classic symptom of GERD,” says Andrew Black, MD, Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine & Gastroenterology who’s based in Norman, OK.
GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Dr. Black explains, “The foam is from aerophagia: swallowing air. This ingested air mixes with the fluid and causes bubbles.
“Carbonated beverage consumption causes GERD — especially with caffeinated products. The dissolved CO2 can cause bubbles.”
So what should you do to help prevent belching up bubbly or foamy liquid after you eat?
Quite simply, do not gulp in air when you drink your beverage.
Take a breath with a closed mouth before you place your lips on the rim of the glass.
Be aware of whether or not your mouth is open when you’re inhaling so that this doesn’t immediately take place before you drink from your glass.
The same goes for eating. Make sure that no air has been gulped in before the fork or spoon reaches your mouth.
You may also want to consider giving up carbonated drinks with your meals. Have water instead (but again, don’t swallow air as you drink).
Or, drink caffeine-free sodas if you can’t enjoy a meal without sodas.
But if you’re having soda with every meal, you really need to cut back, even if it’s sugar free.
Otherwise you’ll continue risking burping up that bubbly foamy stuff after eating.
