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Air swallowing Swallowing air
contents
- description
- causes
- Manifestation - Roemheld syndrome
- treatment
- Aerophagia in natural healing practice
description
If too much air gets into the stomach, the body tries to get rid of it by regurgitation. This can sometimes be so unpleasant that those affected avoid contact with other people. If the air continues to migrate into the small intestine, pressure develops in the abdomen - causing bloating and cramping. From there, the air continues to enter the colon and rectum.
In addition, symptoms such as bloating, general malaise, reflux (reflux of gastric contents towards the esophagus) and collapsing bowel sounds may occur. Vomiting may also be present in children. In the worst case, children with severe aerophagia develop intestinal obstruction.
If the patients are suffering from aero- phagia, a doctor should be consulted. Especially when the air swallowing causes major problems, this should definitely be clarified.
The swallowing of air is basically nothing unusual, but in some people this takes on such proportions that significant physical discomfort is the result. (Image: ALDECAstudio / fotolia.com) causes
Possible causes of aerophagia include speaking too fast, eating and drinking too quickly, chewing gum all the time, carbonated drinks, excessive mouth breathing (for example, with a stuffy nose), badly fitting dentures, anxiety, stress, nervousness, lactose intolerance, and smoking. Aerophagia may also be an accompanying symptom in gastric disorders.
Causes of too much gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract are not only the air swallow, but also certain foods. These include onions, legumes, peppers, leeks, unripe fruit, coffee, beer, yeast products, sugar, cream and wholemeal bread. But also an imbalance in the intestinal flora can lead to air accumulation.
Aerophagy can develop a so-called "vicious circle". Excessive swallowing of air is often associated with restlessness, nervousness and overwork. That means the patients are under pressure. The persons concerned try to avoid or ignore the constant belching or the strong flatulence, which creates additional suffering pressure.
Patients who are bedridden for an extended period of time are more prone to aerophagia because lying down will not allow the swallowed air to escape easily. As a result, an unpleasant heartburn may develop. At the latest now a doctor should be consulted, as serious indigestion can develop.
Manifestation - Roemheld syndrome
The so-called Roemheld syndrome is caused by excessive gas accumulation in the gastrointestinal area, possibly also triggered by an aerophagia. Another term is Gastrocardiac Syndrome or Gastric Heart Syndrome. Here the connection between the heart and the stomach becomes clear. In fact, this condition causes discomfort in the heart, with the trigger in the gastrointestinal tract. This causes tightness, pressure in the heart and burning pain behind the breastbone, as well as pain that can radiate into the left arm, shoulder and lower jaw. All of this is also reminiscent of the symptoms of angina pectoris. You may also experience complaints such as hot flashes, dizziness attacks and anxiety.
Due to the increased air in the stomach and intestine, the diaphragm is pushed towards the chest cavity. This reduces the space of the heart and lungs for their development. This is the reason for the described heart trouble. There may also be shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
The Roemheld Syndrome has other causes that have to do with an increased gas accumulation. These are food intolerances, inflammation in the stomach, hiatal hernia (diaphragmatic hernia) and irritable bowel syndrome. But also fat, luscious meals can lead to it. The Roemheld syndrome is one of the exclusion diagnoses. This means that the doctor first excludes all heart disease before diagnosing Roemheld.
The treatment depends on the cause. In case of inflammation, an antibiotic may be necessary. To reduce the gas accumulation, so-called defoamers are prescribed.
In case of doubt, imaging studies must ensure that there are no more far-reaching diseases behind the so-called Roemheld syndrome. (Image: cucurudza / fotolia.com) treatment
The treatment of aerophagia depends on the cause. Diseases must be excluded first. This includes a detailed medical history, laboratory tests and possibly still imaging procedures.
Patients are encouraged to abandon some "bad" habits. You should try to eat in peace and also slowly. Each bite is best chewed at least thirty times. This is not so easy if you have eaten very quickly before.
Carbonated drinks should be completely banned - or at least consumed only now and then. It is also important to keep an eye on the coffee consumption. Because coffee is one of the possible triggers of aerophagia. Furthermore, pay attention to a quiet, not too fast speech. Logopedic exercises help reduce or reduce excessive breathing while speaking. Aerophagy can also be completely unconscious. This is often the case with stressed patients. Relaxation exercises, yoga and conscious breathing techniques help here. In order to find out the reasons for the general stress intolerance and the nervousness of those affected, a psychoanalysis may be necessary.
Aerophagia in natural healing practice
Even in naturopathic practice, those affected by aerophagia are advised to try to calm down with the help of appropriate relaxation techniques. Plants such as lavender, lemon balm, St. John's wort and passion flower help. These are prescribed individually, in the form of tea, as a tincture or as a mixed preparation. With the help of a detailed anamnesis an attempt is made to find the causes for the nervousness and restlessness, in order to be able to derive the appropriate therapeutic procedures.
Ear acupuncture or body acupuncture are also helpful therapies here. Also, foot reflexology is used successfully in the treatment of aerophagia.
To strengthen and calm the nerves, homeopathic remedies such as Nux vomica, Staphysagria, Chamomilla, Bryonia and Colocynthis are prescribed.
Bloating caused by aerophagia react quite positively to anise, fennel, caraway and coriander. These four seeds are easily triggered and from this a delicious tea is prepared.
Tea made from fennel, anise, caraway and coriander may help with flatulence caused by aerophagia. (Image: Heike Rau / fotolia.com) In case of recurrent flatulence, a stool examination is usually arranged to get an idea of the intestinal flora. Maybe it is not just the air swallowing of the unpleasant symptoms "guilty". Here, a colon cleansing can help.
Schüßler Salt Therapy applies the following remedies for the treatment of aerophagia: No. 7 Magnesium Phosphoricum, No. 5 Potassium Phosphoricum, No. 14 Potassium Bromateum and No. 20 Potassium Aluminum Sulfuricum.
Anyone who uses the knowledge of Hildegard von Bingen recommends the gentian root against the symptoms, in the form of a powder or as a tincture. This plant is quite versatile in its effect. So it not only relaxes the digestive tract, but also has a calming effect on the nervous system. Helpful is the combination with dandelion, centaury and wormwood. (Sw)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)