Health & WellbeingGeneralPardon me!
image

Pardon me!

By Melina - Assistant Editor Apr 5, 2019

We all burp, probably more often than we realise, but what if our burps smell like rotten eggs? Should we be worried?

Burps with a rotten egg smell are called sulphuric burps. Not life-threatening on their own but when they are a regular occurrence or go hand-in-hand with diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting there may be a more serious underlying problem.

Here the Health at Hand team looks at some of the causes and how to alleviate symptoms.

Why can burps smell like rotten eggs?      

More often than not the gas that is released when we burp does not smell at all and will only smell of sulphur if it comes into contact with hydrogen sulphide in the gut.

A natural by-product of digesting certain foods, hydrogen sulphide can generally be linked to something you have eaten. However, it can also be produced if there is an infection or a more long-term digestive condition.

Sulphur burbs associated with food

Although our digestive systems all react slightly differently there are certain foods that are more likely to trigger sulphur burps and here are some of the most common:

  • eggs, seafood, dairy products, red meats and poultry
  • broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, cauliflower and kale
  • garlic, onions and leeks
  • coffee, colas and beer
  • bananas
  • cashew nuts

If you suffer frequent sulphuric burps then it might be a good idea to think about the food you’ve consumed and perhaps keep a diary to try to identify which foods may be the culprit. Once you know which foods are likely to trigger a reaction then you will be able to avoid them or at least be aware that after you have eaten them eggy burbs are likely to follow!

Infections in the digestive system

Gut infections caused by H. Pyloris bacteria and Giardia parasite can cause sulphuric burps. However, alongside eggy burps you will most likely be experiencing stomach cramps, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. If this is the case then it is important to be tested by your GP so they can find the most appropriate treatment for you.

Chronic conditions of the gut 

Sulphuric burps may be due to more serious long-term digestive conditions. These include:

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Acid reflux – Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Crohn’s disease – inflammatory bowel disease
  • Lactose intolerance – difficulty digesting milk and milk products
  • Coeliac disease – intolerance of gluten
  • SIBO – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth – an upset of the natural balance of the small intestine by bacteria spreading from other parts of the gut.

On-going symptoms should be discussed with your GP and referred to a gastroenterologist.

Alleviating symptoms

If there is no more serious underlying cause and no other symptoms other than eggy burps then simply eliminating the trigger foods from your diet may be all you need.

Looking after your gut health  along with drinking 6 – 8 glasses of water a day can prevent many digestive problems and will improve your overall health. It is also recommended to cut down on alcohol consumption and reduce carbonated drinks.

Drinking green, peppermint and chamomile tea may also help to relieve symptoms as they are believed to sooth the gut.

Medication

Omeprazole, which works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach, can be prescribed to treat digestive problems such as acid reflux and infections caused by H. Pyloris bacteria and under GP supervision Omeprazole can be safely taken for long periods of time.

Read more on how exercise can help your gut health

Disclaimer
All content on Silversurfers.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated at all as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Silversurfers will not be responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content on www.silversurfers.com and we are also not liable for the content of any external websites or links from or to Silversurfers to any other websites. Please always consult your own doctor if you’re in any way concerned about any aspect of your health
The following two tabs change content below.

Melina - Assistant Editor

Hi I'm Melina, a mother of 3 teenage children and with a particular interest in all things health related. I run a busy household and smallholding alongside my work with Silversurfers, which currently includes dogs, fish, hens, ducks and pigs!

Leave a Comment!

Loading Comments