It’s natural to be concerned if you’ve suddenly come down with a case of bad diarrhea. However, you might also have noticed the strange presence of eggy, sulfurous burps. So what’s going on? In this post, we’ll address what symptoms of sulfur burps and diarrhea can signify and what it means for your health. Next, we’ll talk about how you can treat these issues.
Why Do My Burps Smell Like Eggs?
An odorous burp that smells reminiscent of eggs, rotten eggs, or sulfur can be quite peculiar to experience, especially if you’re burping more frequently than usual. But fortunately, there is an explanation.
The process of digestion within your stomach and intestines produces certain by-products, one of which is gas. Normally, though, burps don’t smell of anything in particular, and they’re usually just excess air trapped within the esophagus.
However, the presence of a sulfuric, egg-like smell in your burps means that hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) is the culprit. It smells like rotten eggs and is produced naturally in small amounts during the process of digestion. The bacteria in your gut produce hydrogen sulfide after exposure to proteins such as poultry, red meats, dairy, eggs, and seafood. Other foods rich in sulfur include vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, garlic, or onions.
Eggy burps or flatulence on occasion are more embarrassing than harmful in most circumstances. However, the presence of diarrhea suggests that something is wrong with your gastrointestinal tract.
Sulfur Burps and Diarrhea: Signs of Infection
Diarrhea accompanying these pungent burps is indicative of gastrointestinal infection.
Species of bacteria such as Heliobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) live in the stomachs of a large proportion of the world’s population. However, they can multiply in large numbers and cause inflammation of the stomach or intestines. Another possibility is Giardiasis. It’s caused by the Giardia parasite, a small germ that can infect humans through contact with contaminated water or food.
Not everyone experiences symptoms, but violent diarrhea and excess gas production are common, along with an increasing sense of fatigue and nausea. Accompanying these symptoms are stomach cramps and nausea. You may also develop temporary lactose intolerance, though, even after the infection has subsided.
Fortunately, people with healthy immune systems can fight the infection, and it can resolve without treatment. However, symptoms can be acute, and some individuals may develop a chronic infection that requires treatment from a qualified gastroenterologist. There is also a risk of dehydration and malnutrition from all the fluid lost from the body and improper digestion while you still have an infection.
Treatment and Conclusion: What Should I Do Next?
Both Giardiasis and H. Pylori infections require diagnosis and treatment from a doctor. They will prescribe the appropriate antibiotics or antiprotozoals to fight the infection, after which you should return to normal. You can take pain relief medication over-the-counter to help with stomach cramps.
At the Gastroenterology Diagnostic Center, we have significant experience in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with our board-certified gastroenterologists, please give us a call at (281) 357-1977. We will be happy to help you enhance your quality of life.