My husband cannot belch. He has never been able to. This causes discomfort and adds to occasional indigestion. Is there a condition that could prevent him from this normal human bodily function?



Belching is one of the body’s most used avenues to get rid of air from within the stomach. Under normal circumstances, the air will go down into the intestines, but when we belch, the air alternately goes up into the esophagus and is expelled through the mouth. Belching just after having consumed a large meal is common  and helps get rid of any inadvertently swallowed air – thereby easing the discomfort on the stomach lining. The inability to belch is rare, but not abnormal. The only significance it has on your lifestyle is the fact that this avenue to ease the stress on your stomach is not available. The resulting Indigestion that your husband suffers from is likely to be an even bigger annoyance because of the inability to belch and release the trapped air. This indigestion is the result of the improper functioning of the digestive system and could be caused by a number of factors. For example, the condition could be caused by certain lifestyle habits such as smoking and a high intake of substances like caffeine and Tea. Consuming tea on an empty stomach is known to cause gas formation as well as indigestion. Swallowing food too quickly will also ensure that a significant amount of air goes down as well. Stress and worry also have a significant role in aggravating the situation.

Because of the fact that the condition is so common, there are a number of home remedy options that will help significantly. For example, you could try creating a mixture of one teaspoon of cumin seeds and a pinch of salt in a glass of water and consume this twice a day. Another option would be to drink some warm water with lemon juice mixed in it on a daily basis. Make it a habit to drink a glass of water with a little mint juice mixed in it. Consume it every three to four hours throughout the course of the day. Asking your husband to massage his stomach area with a mixture consisting of a couple of drops of garlic oil and half a cup of soya oil is also very beneficial. If your husband suffers from intense attacks of indigestion, you can ask him to drink some water with a little baking soda mixed in it. This will provide almost instant relief. You can also help maintain the running of your digestive system by eating a large portion of papaya with your breakfast on a daily basis.

answered by G M


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