Sulfur Burps and Diarrhea: 5 Possible Causes and Home Treatments
Burps are directly related to your stomach and body’s natural ability to pass excess gas. Sulfur burps and diarrhea can often cause discomfort and can be an embarrassing situation.
Usually, sulfur burps are caused by the way our bodies break down food in the gut which creates a gas called Hydrogen sulfide. This burp is the main cause of your burps to smell like rotten eggs.
The fact of the matter is that everybody burps. It’s a natural digestive process and usually, your burps will smell like what you most recently ate. As we all know, this is not always the case.
If infectious bacteria are present in the body during digestion sulfur burps can be accompanied by diarrhea.
What Are Sulfur Burps?
A sulfur burp is a digestive issue which relates to the production of gas from your gut.
As the mouth, esophagus, and intestines break down food and proteins your body works hard. This can cause the sensations of burps and potentially diarrhea to be present.
As your system breaks down the proteins of food it can react to bacteria which are harmful to the body causing rotten egg scented burps.
Hydrogen sulfide is the chemical released which has the scent of a rotten egg.
Gas can build up when too much air is swallowed or bacteria are present in the intestines during digestion, says the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, an overgrowth of intestinal bacteria can all cause excess gases in the body.
What Causes Sulfur Burps and Diarrhea?
1. Food With Sulfur
Foods that can cause sulfur burps and diarrhea are the leading cause of the condition.
Due to the breakdown of proteins in the digestive system of many common foods in our diet today, sulfur burps associated with diarrhea can occur. Common foods that contain sulfur include:
- Red meat
- Poultry
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Cabbages
- Mustard
- Onions and many others
Eggs are amongst the most common cause of sulfur burps. Studies have shown that eggs are a good source of dietary protein although they may cause occasional discomfort.
2. Digestive Tract Infections
Sulfur burps and watery diarrhea can be caused by many cases of bacterial infections in your body.
Giardia Lamblia is a food parasite which will not only cause sulfur burps and diarrhea but other uncomfortable symptoms including:
- Bloated abdomen
- Bad gas
H. Pylori is known to cause gastritis and also ulcers in the stomach. The Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology mentions that an H. Pylori infection leads to sulfur compounds building up in the body which can cause sulfur burps, halitosis, and other symptoms.
These conditions can worsen if not treated with proper care like any bad bacteria which is present in the body. Please see your doctor immediately if you are concerned or experience any worsening symptoms.
3. Chronic Health Conditions
Health-related conditions can be a major cause of discomfort in the body. There are several reasons for this, all of which can include:
- Prescription medications which are being taken
- Changes in the diet
- Poor health
- GERD
- Pancreatitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease and others
It’s important to listen to your body and treat it properly. If you have a chronic medical condition see your doctor. Make lifestyle changes which can help reduce the discomfort caused by sulphuric burps and diarrhea.
4. Bacterial Overgrowth
A condition called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, otherwise known as SIBO can cause stinky sulfur rotten egg burps.
Fermentation and bacteria which exist in the intestines can cause a buildup of hydrogen sulfide, methane, and carbon dioxide gases explain the journal Gut and Liver.
This bacteria is essential to the bodies break down of food compounds and for nutrient absorption into the body. However, this bacteria in excess can cause smelly sulfur burps and diarrhea.
Bacterial overgrowth can also cause abdominal pain after eating, fatigue, acne, and other conditions.
5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS can be an extremely uncomfortable condition. It causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and leads to abnormalities of the gut or immune system. Doctors are not sure about the specific causes of IBS.
IBS can produce high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the breath which as we have learned can cause sulfur burps and diarrhea.
A researcher at the Journal of Breath Research found that IBS sufferers also have intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
See a doctor for your condition of IBS as each case varies patient to patient. Some require more strict dietary changes than others.
Home Remedies for Sulfur Burps and Diarrhea
Let’s see some of the helpful home remedies to get rid of sulfur burps and diarrhea.
1. Drink Lots of Water
Hydration is the most important of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. One of the easiest and most effective home remedies for sulfur burps and diarrhea is to drink more water.
According to the Mayo Clinic, water plays a key role in digestion to help break down food and increase nutrition absorption.
The more efficient the process of breaking down food in your gut, the less likely you will be to experience discomfort and gas caused in the process.
Drinking the right amount of water can support a healthy body and mind lifestyle. Water flushes your body of waste and toxins to make room for more and better quality nutrients.
2. Minimize Sulfur Food Consumption
If you are suffering from sulfur burps and diarrhea, one way to make a simple change is to eliminate sulfur foods from your diet. Eggs may be a good one to stay away from for a few days to test if that may be the cause.
When you minimize the intake of sulfur foods you can lessen the smell of sulfur when you burp.
It’s important to add that many foods which contain sulfur have substantial health benefits.
It’s important to understand which foods you should cut out and which you should not. Try to identify and find the specific cause through trial and error.
3. Lemon Water with Honey
Warm water with lemon and honey makes for a great antioxidant boosting drink to fight off any potential bad bacterial growth in your body.
Lemon and tea both have a host of health benefits and can be a great way to rid your body of toxins and reduce sulfur production from digestion. Lemon water with honey can be a best home remedy for sulfur burps and diarrhea.
4. PeptoBismol
I’m sure you’ve heard of good old PeptoBismol. A staple for stomach conditions, Pepto can be an easy, cheap, and effective treatment for things like heartburn, stomach ache, diarrhea, and other symptoms of sulfur burps.
5. Green Tea
A common theme amongst home remedies is tea. Green tea, in particular, offers a wide range of healthy antioxidants which can protect your body from bacterial overgrowth or another disease.
Research has shown that tea can reduce sulfur in the mouth and help with symptoms of bad breath in your mouth.
Simply steep a bag of green tea for 2-5 minutes and enjoy. Try adding honey for some additional antioxidant properties!
6. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil can also help you get rid of sulfur burps and diarrhea.
PepMolecular Targets and Therapeutic Uses of Spices mention that peppermint oil has protective properties which support the overall health of your gut.
Peppermint oil can help to prevent the production of gas in your intestines.
7. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is a splendid home remedy for ailments of all kinds. It can offer tremendous anti-inflammatory and stomach soothing benefits to aid sulphuric burps and diarrhea.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Diluted apple cider vinegar and its acid content provide a gut cleansing solution to increase the production of good bacteria while fighting the bad.
This can be a great way to improve stomach and digestive health and help fight off stinky sulfur burps and diarrhea.
It’s easy to consume with just 1-2 tablespoons of raw unprocessed apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. This can be consumed 1-2 times daily and feel free to add honey for more of a boost in health!
Related Reading: 12 Substitutes for Red Wine Vinegar and How to Use Them
When to See Your Doctor
The cause and symptoms of sulfur burps and diarrhea are not always clear especially after you eat. Most cases are healthy and normal as the body is processing foods.
It’s important if you feel unwell or ill and have sulfur burps combined with diarrhea that you seek a doctor immediately.
You may receive over-the-counter medications including PeptoBismol to help reduce the symptoms of sulfur burps and diarrhea.
Your doctor can also recommend natural treatment options (mentioned above) or other ways to treat the condition before turning to medicine.
Read Next:
- Stomach Gurgling: Common Causes and Home Treatments
- Swollen Lymph Nodes behind the Ear: 10 Causes and Treatments
Sources:
Hills, J. “Sulfur Burps: Causes and Effective Natural Cures”, Healthy and Natural World, November 11th, 2017; http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/get-rid-of-sulfur-burps/
“What to Do If You Have Diarrhea Along with Sulfur Burps?”,New Health Advisor, November 11th, 2017; http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Sulfur-Burps-and-Diarrhea.html
“Sulphur Burps and Watery Diarrhea, Stomach Upset/Pain, Causes & Home Remedies”, Durable Health, November 12th, 2017; https://durablehealth.net/conditions/sulfur-burps-watery-diarrhea-stomach-upset-pain-vomiting-causes-cure/
