What Causes Hydrogen Sulfide Burps?

Question

I posted this in the wrong place, I just figured out what I'm doing, sorry. So here is is again.

This is a good one. There are several of us that are inflicted with the dreaded Sulfur Burps, we have gotten together here at yahoo to try to find an answer, the Dr's think we are crazy and tell us it will go away, don't worry about it, never heard it.

It is a very real debilitating chronic problem for many of us.

We need a biochemist to help us I think.

I have done a lot of research but since I know nothing much about Chemistry and the reaction of chemicals, I'm here.


I know that sulfur is blamed for the smell, the smell of rotten eggs. I know that the odor associated with rotten eggs is actually due to hydrogen sulfide.

I know that many metal sulfides are so insoluble that they are probably not very toxic. Some metal sulfides, when exposed to a strong mineral acid, including gastric acids, will release toxic hydrogen sulfide. How does this happen? What would cause such a reaction?

When I learned this I said, Aha.. gastric acids and metal sulfides have something to do with this, so now what is a metal sulfide? What is the correlation between Gastric Acid and Metal Sulfide?

Now, I just read something about foods that have the additive sulfur dioxide.

I know that there must be a chemical reaction going on in the stomach causing the burping smell of rotten eggs/sulfur.

People have had all sorts of tests done with no results, tried all kids of meds with no results. It's like the food in sitting in the stomach and rotting causing Hydrogen Sulfide to build to the point it explodes and that's how you feel, like you are just going to explode.

There are all sorts of speculation about it being caused by a parasite, a virus, an allergy. And I think it is a chemical reaction to things that maybe we are sensitive to. So it would be an allergy to the chemicals in certain food.

If any one can answer this question I will nominate you for chemist of the year.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post..

The only thing I've found that helps a bit is Pepto Bismal, but it always come back, I need to know what is causing it so as to try to avoid it even happening or people resulting to some stupid surgey they don't need..

Thanks for responding, I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks, thanks

I also posted this under allergies and got one really good response there so far if you want to take a look there, still waiting for you chemist to come up with something good..

Answer 1

It sounds like you and your friends have giardia. There may be some other explanation, but the sulphur burps and abdominal pressure are pretty specific symptoms. I've had giardia and other parasites through lots of travel.

Have you been tested for this? Parasite tests are tricky. The best testing facility is the Great Smokies lab. You still need a local doc to order the tests. They can test for many other gastro-intestinal issues too, which your local hospital may miss.

I'll let someone else answer the academic bio chemistry question. I'd find it interesting too. But the most important thing is to be healthy.

The usual treatment for giardia is flagyl, or one of the -azole anti-biotics. In the case of giardia, this is usually pretty effective. In the case of other parasites, the treatment can be a lot more tricky. Doctors will argue about this, and argue with naturopaths and others.

If you want to consider alternative herbal treatments, you can Google it, or ask me. I've tried many.

Answer 2

Thank you all for talking about this embarrassing subject. I have never known what triggers this but now i can keep an i out for foods that cause this. I too have had attacks that would last for days each day getting worse and worse My stomach hurts for days and I would also get diarrhea. after a few days the pain would be so bad that i would throw up. then I would feel better. I also tried to make my self throw up to get it over with sooner but that would not work as it would not completely empty my stomach. So one time i tried drinking vinegar as it neutralizes acid. Well low and behold it worked I did not have to go days in pain and did not get the diarrhea or throw up. It has not worked every time but as soon as I have that first burp I drink a shot of vinegar and it often times stops it. I hope this helps someone else not have to go through the pain all the time like I have.And not to have to be band from friends and family till you feel better.

Answer 3

Would this be something like a "sour stomach"? I always thought it was the presence of too much acid in the gut causing the reaction and you usually need something to neutralize it. But I'm guessing this doesn't work either huh? Good question...I'll be watching to see what answers you find....

Answer 4

Sulfur burps are caused by food that contains sulfur. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts onions, peppers,, There are many cruciferous vegetables. Beans also cause gas. It is often because the bacteria that are helping them digest produce the gas. My nutrition book lists cheese ,clams and lentils as sources for sulfur. (Sulfur is found in every cell in the body). Lentils are those beans that cause gas.