Belching and burping
Belching and burping occur when excess air comes up the food pipe (oesophagus) and out through the mouth. Often, it’s simply because of what you ate or drank or eating too fast. If you’re constantly burping, it could indicate an upper digestive tract problem, such as acid reflux.
Book an appointment to get this checked by one of our medical professionals.
What’s the difference between burping and belching?
Belching and burping mean the same thing – to pass gas from the mouth – though some consider belching to be louder. Another term for it is eructation.
It’s a natural body function that is usually not a cause for concern unless you are experiencing other symptoms. If you are excessively belching and burping, you may also need to speak to a medical professional.
When to seek emergency help
Burping and belching rarely require emergency care, though seek urgent treatment if you experience the following symptoms.
- Tarry or black stools
- Severe abdominal pain
- Sudden difficulty swallowing
- Blood in your poo (stools) or vomit
- Vomit that resembles coffee grounds
If you experience sudden swallowing problems, it could be an allergic reaction. Blood in your vomit or stool suggests that you have a bleed somewhere in your digestive tract.
Causes of burping and belching
Certain foods and drinks can cause temporary excess burping, such as fizzy liquids, curry, chewing gum, and dairy products. If you have an upset stomach, you might also experience short-term burping. However, if your burping and belching are persistent, you may have a gastrointestinal (GI) condition that we need to investigate.
Conditions linked to belching and burping
Below we list a range of conditions that can cause belching and burping, as well as common symptoms.
- Peptic ulcers – also cause blood in your poo
- Gastritis – can also cause nausea and vomiting
- Functional or non-ulcer dyspepsia – also causes indigestion
- H. Pylori – also causes abdominal pain and bloating
- Gastroparesis – can also cause unintended weight loss
- Aerophagia – you may experience air gulping and flatulence
- Food intolerance – symptoms may occur after specific foods
- Hiatal hernia – may cause bad breath, heartburn and acid reflux
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) – frequent acid reflux
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – also causes diarrhoea and constipation
If you experience one or more of the above symptoms, speak to our specialist for a proper diagnosis.
Diagnosis
How we diagnose the cause of your belching and burping depends on your other symptoms. During your consultation, we will discuss any other symptoms, how long they’ve been present, and whether there are any triggers.
We will also go through your family and personal medical histories to determine the likely cause of your symptoms. For a clearer view of your digestive system, our specialist may perform some GI tests.
Testing may involve:
- H. pylori test
- Maldigestion tests
- A blood test or stool test
- Hydrogen and methane breath tests
- Gastroscopy (if we suspect it is GORD)
- Abdominal scans, such as MRI, CT, or ultrasound scans
Treatment
There are many lifestyle changes you can try to reduce your belching before seeking professional advice. Poor gut health and high stress levels can cause affect your digestion and cause symptoms such as belching. You may find some useful advice on our blog below:
If your symptoms bother you, we recommend speaking to a specialist sooner. You may find it helpful to keep a symptom tracker and a food diary to bring to your appointment.
Once we have identified the cause of your symptoms, our specialists can recommend the most appropriate treatment. If we diagnose you with a GI condition, you may need follow-up testing, medicines to treat it, or surgery.
Lifestyle changes to prevent belching and burping
- Quit smoking
- Don’t drink through a straw
- Avoid eating or drinking quickly
- Eat less fatty or high-fibre foods
- Try taking a short walk after eating
- Stop chewing gum or similar products
- Limit carbonated drinks, such as beer
- Avoid certain other foods, such as mushrooms, beans, cabbage, broccoli, lentils, onions, and some fruits.
Over-the-counter medications
Some over-the-counter medications may alleviate your symptoms, such as antacids. Your local pharmacist can advise you on the medicines that may help.
Book an appointment
If you’re experiencing excessive belching or burping, contact us at Digestive Health UK. Our team can provide you with more information about belching and burping.
We offer private consultations to discover the cause of your symptoms and arrange tests. We also have a second opinion service if you have sought care elsewhere but have concerns about their findings.
Get in touch to book your appointment today. You can also call us on 0207 4594 081.