How to Stop Swallowing Air

A guide to minimizing excessive burping, gas, and bloating

Last Updated: May 22, 2022 References

Swallowing air, also called aerophagia, can lead to constant burping, annoying gas, and bloating. There are many reasons that you might be accidentally swallowing air throughout your day. The way that you eat or drink is one of the most common factors that can cause you to swallow air, but your general health habits can have a great impact on aerophagia as well. With just a few changes to your lifestyle, you will be able to stop swallowing air and reduce the frequency of burping and gas.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Changing Your Eating and Drinking Habits

1
Consume food and drink slowly. One of the most effective ways to keep yourself from swallowing air is to eat your food and drink beverages slowly. Try to take 3 to 5 seconds with each bite and space out your sips. Relax while you are eating, as stress can cause you to eat food too quickly.^{[1]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Chewing your food fully before swallowing will also help keep air out when you swallow.
- Avoid straws, if possible. They will make you drink faster than you should, and can pull air up with them.^{[2]
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  Research source}
2
Stay away from carbonation. Carbonated beverages contain carbon dioxide, which is a major component of air. Drinking them will be similar to drinking a great deal of air all at once. If your goal is to avoid burping, this is one of the most important steps you can take.^{[3]
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Research source}^{[4]
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Expert Source

Ni-Cheng Liang, MD
Board Certified Pulmonologist
Expert Interview. 18 June 2021.}
- Beer and sparkling wine, while not artificially carbonated, are also major culprits for aerophagia.
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3
Avoid chewing gum. As you chew gum, you swallow air along with it. Particularly if you open your mouth as you are chewing gum, this is an easy way for air to enter your stomach and esophagus.^{[5]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Other chewy foods and candy, like fruit leathers or caramel, will cause you to swallow air as well.
4
Try not to talk while you are chewing. As you talk, you are allowing air into your mouth that will go to your stomach when you swallow. Finish each bite before you begin to speak, and don’t open your mouth as you are eating.^{[6]
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National Health Service (UK)
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- If you are asked a question while you are chewing, wait until you have finished your bite before responding.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Improving Your Health

1
Stop smoking or vaping. Along with all of the other health benefits associated with quitting tobacco, you can prevent yourself from swallowing air by avoiding smoking altogether. Each inhale of smoke or vapor from a cigarette or vaping device will allow air to enter your esophagus and stomach.^{[7]
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- Smoking products other than tobacco can also cause you to swallow air. It is the smoking mechanic, rather than the substance that causes aerophagia.
2
Take deep breaths to stop hyperventilating. If you tend to hyperventilate when you are nervous, take steps to slow your breathing in order to avoid accidentally swallowing air. Breathe from your diaphragm in order to have more control over the size and duration of your breaths.^{[8]
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Harvard Medical School
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- There are also ways to prevent hyperventilation, like exercising more frequently and breathing through your nose.
3
Adjust your CPAP machine if you use one. Check the pressure, as it may be too high or too low, which can lead to hyperventilation. It is also possible that you need a mouth breathing apparatus rather than the standard nose one. If you think the pressure is too strong, ask your doctor if it is possible to lower it.^{[9]
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4
Check your dentures for a loose fit if you wear them. If your dentures fit loosely, adjust them to fit your mouth. Any gaps in the teeth can leave room for air to enter your mouth and get swallowed unintentionally. You may have to get a new size if you have had a sudden weight change.^{[10]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Why does swallowing air happen?

Ni-Cheng Liang, MD
Board Certified Pulmonologist
Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang is a board certified Pulmonologist and the Director of Pulmonary Integrative Medicine at Coastal Pulmonary Associates affiliated with the Scripps Health Network in San Diego, California. She also serves as a Voluntary Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine while volunteering for the UCSD Medical Student-Run Free Clinic for uninsured patients. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Liang specializes in pulmonary and respiratory medical concerns, mindfulness teaching, physician wellness, and integrative medicine. Dr. Liang received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Liang was voted as a San Diego Top Doctor in 2017 and 2019. She was also awarded the 2019 American Lung Association San Diego Lung Health Provider of the Year.

Ni-Cheng Liang, MD

Board Certified Pulmonologist

Expert Answer

Swallowing air can be related to coordination of your voice box, like the opening and closing of the food pipe to the air pipe. Other causes might be using supplemental oxygen or drinking carbonated beverages.
Question

How do you get rid of trapped air in your stomach?

Ni-Cheng Liang, MD
Board Certified Pulmonologist
Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang is a board certified Pulmonologist and the Director of Pulmonary Integrative Medicine at Coastal Pulmonary Associates affiliated with the Scripps Health Network in San Diego, California. She also serves as a Voluntary Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine while volunteering for the UCSD Medical Student-Run Free Clinic for uninsured patients. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Liang specializes in pulmonary and respiratory medical concerns, mindfulness teaching, physician wellness, and integrative medicine. Dr. Liang received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Liang was voted as a San Diego Top Doctor in 2017 and 2019. She was also awarded the 2019 American Lung Association San Diego Lung Health Provider of the Year.

Ni-Cheng Liang, MD

Board Certified Pulmonologist

Expert Answer

Sit upright if you think you've swallowed air. This will allow the gas bubbles to rise to the top of your stomach, bringing it closer to your food pipe. Then, it can come out in the form of a burp.
Question

Why do I feel like I'm hungry for air?

Ni-Cheng Liang, MD
Board Certified Pulmonologist
Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang is a board certified Pulmonologist and the Director of Pulmonary Integrative Medicine at Coastal Pulmonary Associates affiliated with the Scripps Health Network in San Diego, California. She also serves as a Voluntary Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine while volunteering for the UCSD Medical Student-Run Free Clinic for uninsured patients. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Liang specializes in pulmonary and respiratory medical concerns, mindfulness teaching, physician wellness, and integrative medicine. Dr. Liang received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Liang was voted as a San Diego Top Doctor in 2017 and 2019. She was also awarded the 2019 American Lung Association San Diego Lung Health Provider of the Year.

Ni-Cheng Liang, MD

Board Certified Pulmonologist

Expert Answer

There could be a drop in the amount of oxygen that's available to you, as a lot of people feel more air hunger when they're at a higher altitude. A chronic lung or heart disease may also limit your ability to breathe enough air.