It may be my imagination but I think I belch more than I used to.

Perhaps I should not use the word belch. In polite company I would use burp. Or if I were to go techno I would say Eructation. But Shakespeare would then never have invented Toby Eructation would he?

Dictionaries describe eructation as "the voiding of gas or of a small quantity of acid fluid from the stomach through the mouth". Normally the air in stomach is passed downstream into the intestines. Belching occurs when the stomach air, instead of going down, goes up into the esophagus and is expelled though the mouth. The acid taste of the fluid we all call heartburn

Belching after a meal, especially a big meal, I know is quite normal. It occurs as a result of air being swallowed while eating. In addition, a lot of swallowed air accumulates in stomach in between meals. The food once it reaches the stomach, displaces the air already present there.

The upward expulsion of air is facilitated by alcohol and carbonated drinks. Or for me - plain ol water.

Cultural acceptance of belching varies. While considered to be uncouth by Mrs R, a belch after a meal is considered to be a compliment for the chef in some eastern cultures that I have visited.

Aerophagia also means swallowing of air and is akin to a belch. It primarily occurs while eating, drinking, chewing gum and smoking. Sometimes anxiety causes people to suck air into the into the food pipe in addition to the wind pipe. It can be a nervous habit and nothing to do with the digestive system.


I do not think that I am stressed out over LCing so it has to be the food or the increased drinking.

So let me have it straight. Is it me or is this an LC side effect

Now I know that all you ladies when left alone in the house belch like troopers, so do'nt be shy. Tell me. No-one will hear.

Good news is that I now do not eat baked beans.