Abstract

Aerophagy, the swallowing and aspiration of air, may add to the discomfort of anxious patients and of patients trying to belch to relieve the bloated feeling so common in gastro-intestinal disorders. In babies aerophagy during feeding is almost the rule, and may cause distress. For such cases in adults and babies an understanding of the nature and causes of aerophagy and ‘wind’ is helpful.