To belch in public is often very embarrassing, especially when you suffer from excessive belching. While this digestive mechanism is natural, it can also be a sign, in some cases, of health problems when accompanied by other symptoms. In the columns from the American media Pop Sugar, Gastroenterologists Mayur Parepally and Kenneth Brown spoke about the main causes of excessive belching.
What can cause excessive belching?
Want to know what causes your frequent burps? Here are six factors that gastroenterologists suggest.
L’aérophagie
L’aérophagie occurs when a person “eats air.” As the website Santé.fr explains, “Swallowing two to four liters of air per day is completely normal. But too much gas causes the stomach to dilate, which, when it is significant, results in pulling in the stomach.” It can also cause excessive belching. According to gastroenterologist Kenneth Brown, there are many factors that cause aerophagia, such as eating or drinking too quickly, chewing gum, using a straw, talking quickly, or smoking.
Gastroesophageal reflux
According to Health Insurance, at least 20% of adults in France have occasional symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. This occurs when stomach acid repeatedly backs up into the esophagus (the digestive tube connecting the mouth and stomach). It is very often accompanied by a burning sensation when lying down or after eating and a bitter or sour taste in the mouth. It can also be a common cause of excessive belching, as explained by Dr. Mayur Parepally in the columns of Pop Sugar.
Fizzy drinks
You tend to burp more when you drink a soft drink ? Nothing surprising according to the gastroenterologist. Indeed, he explains that “This type of drink releases carbon dioxide and thus causes an increase in gases in the body.” Gases that must then be evacuated via belching or flatulence. He specifies that these excessive belches generally disappear when one reduces one’s consumption of carbonated drinks.
Some vegetables
As we know, eating vegetables is good for your health, however, some of them can cause gas and belching as explained by the gastroenterologist. According to him, it is cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, raw onions and Brussels sprouts that promote belching. In particular, because they are rich in fibers and a sugar called raffinose, which can cause gas and excessive belching if your stomach has trouble digesting it.
A food intolerance
“If you notice that a particular food increases your frequency of belching, you may be suffering from an intolerance or food allergy”, explains Dr. Mayur Parepally. He mentions in particular lactose intolerance (caused by a deficiency of a digestive enzyme called lactase) or gluten intolerance which can “to cause belching and flatulence, by impairing your ability to digest the intolerable food, thus leading to increased gas in the digestive tract.” If you have a food intolerance, you will also experience abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloating. If you suspect something, you should contact your doctor.
Gastritis
A gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, and is often the result of stress, alcohol abuse, certain medications, or bacterial infection. When left untreated, this condition can lead to stomach ulcers, or open sores on the stomach lining, which produce extra gas and trigger belching, the expert explains. This is very often accompanied by upper abdominal pain and nausea.
Irritable bowel syndrome
The irritable bowel syndrome is more common in women than in men. Typically, this disorder appears in adolescence. It is most commonly seen in people between the ages of 20 and 40. According to Dr. Mayur Parepally, “It affects the large intestine and is associated with abdominal pain, gas, bloating, burping and a change in the frequency and consistency of stools.” It requires medical attention.
Sources :
- Why You Can’t Stop Burping, According to Gastroenterologists – Pop Sugar – 5 Juillet 2024
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults: definition, symptoms and causes – Health Insurance