Burping or belching is a natural reaction of your body to get rid of any air or gas you swallow during eating. It prevents enlargement of your stomach that may occur when you digest air. Burping is natural, but it can make you and others feel uncomfortable and unpleasant. Eating quickly, drinking carbonated beverages, breathing rapidly, and laughing can cause you to swallow air and lead to burps. Starchy, sugary, or high fiber foods accompanied by indigestion can also be the culprit.
Burping is not very concerning on its own. However, if it’s interfering with your daily life and comes with other gastrointestinal symptoms, you can consult the Best Gastroenterologist in Lahore to get proper treatment.
When should burping be taken seriously?
Many individuals do not take burping as a problem, and mostly it isn’t. Though what most people are unaware that it can be a sign of an underlying condition:
1. GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disease that makes the stomach acid travel upwards towards the esophagus. While heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD, excessive burping with other symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, bad breath, etc., can also signal GERD.
2. Stomach ulcers
Ulcers are open sores on the stomach lining, and infection is usually a cause of ulcers. If your stomach hurts after eating, it may be an ulcer. Having an ulcer can make you feel bloated and increase your burps. Though ulcers clear out in about two months, it’s better to get them checked.
3. Asthma
Burping can also signify that you’re asthmatic. Asthma causes airway inflammation making it difficult for air to reach your lungs, hence putting pressure on your diaphragm. It forces the gas to your throat leading to burps.
4. Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia is when a part of your stomach penetrates your diaphragm and moves up in your chest. It causes acid buildup at the back of the throat, resulting in bad-tasting burps. Adopting healthy eating and sleeping habits can help combat this.
5. Gut bacteria
Bacteria can increase in your stomach if the stomach is not making enough acid as stomach acid kills bacteria. Bacteria in the intestines make it difficult for your body to absorb food and causes gas, which causes burps, farting, and bad breath.
6. Helicobacter pylori infection
The H. Pylori infection damages the lining of your stomach. It results in your stomach making more acid that makes you burp more than usual. It also leads to swelling and stiffness in the stomach. It is better to consult the Best Gastroenterologist in Islamabad who may prescribe antibiotics for treatment.
7. Pancreatitis
The pancreas is responsible for the digestion of food through the gut juices that it produces. Inflammation of the pancreas is known as pancreatitis. Symptoms of pancreatitis include nausea, bloating, hiccups, and burps.
Can you prevent burps?
Naturally, swallowing less air while eating or drinking can reduce the frequency of the burp. Changes to your diet and lifestyle lead to a low frequency of burps and better digestion. Here are a few ways which can help you with your burping situation:
- Eat and drink slowly
- Sit down while eating or drinking
- Limit alcohol
- Stay away from fizzy drinks
- Take probiotic supplements to improve digestion
- Stop smoking
- Lower your stress levels
- Avoid foods with starch, sugar, and fiber
Even if you do all of the above, you might burp from time to time. Burps that occur sometimes are not concerning. If you feel that the burps are constant and often, consult a doctor to know if you have an underlying disease that may be the root cause of your excessive burps.
