These Signs Could Indicate Your Burps Aren't Normal At All

#1

A burp is worth a thousand words. Usually it’s your body’s way of casually saying, “Hey, everything’s cool here.” After all, a little burping here and there is totally normal: “It just represents the backwards passage of air from the stomach or esophagus up through the mouth,” says Lea Ann Chen, M.D., gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health. “This air is typically swallowed when we breathe or eat, [which is called aerophagia]. When there’s a sudden release of air into the esophagus that causes it to stretch, there is a reflex that allows our upper esophagus to relax and helps us belch and release the air.”

But if persistent bouts of belching are constantly getting in the way of your everyday routine, then you might want to listen more carefully to the message your body is trying to transmit. “When burping continues over a long period of time or gets worse, it could mean there’s something else going on that may require further discussion with your physician,” says Bhavesh Shah, M.D., medical director of interventional gastroenterology at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in Long Beach, Calif.

Possible conditions for burping:

#2 Vomiting

Generally speaking, vomiting is a worrisome symptom even when it happens on its own. But when it’s teamed up with incessant burping, it’s a clear-as-day sign that a more serious problem could be creeping behind those belches.

“It could suggest benign conditions like acid reflux or a hiatal hernia,” says Bhavesh Shah, “and it could point to motility problems such as gastroparesis. On the other hand, vomiting [with excessive burping] could also be a sign of an obstruction either in the stomach or small intestine, and the obstruction could be from benign conditions like an ulcer.”

If you’re experiencing the burp-upchuck combo frequently, let your doctor know about it just to be on the safe side.

#4 Heartburn

Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest that often occurs with a bitter taste in your throat or mouth. The symptoms of heartburn may get worse after you eat a large meal or when you’re lying down. In general, you can successfully treat the symptoms of heartburn at home. However, if frequent heartburn makes it difficult to eat or swallow, your symptoms may be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

#5 Swallowing Air

Swallowing large quantities of air can cause more-frequent belching. People who eat quickly, drink carbonated beverages (such as soda and beer)---especially through a straw---and chew gum may all be more likely to burp on a more-than-regular basis. Smokers are also a risk group when it comes to excessive belching, according to the Mayo Clinic. All of these habits can lead to the swallowing of excess air, which can cause gas pains in addition to burping.

#6 Gastroparesis

A medical condition called gastroparesis can lead to excessive belching. Gastroparesis, sometimes referred to as delayed gastric emptying, is a condition in which food sits in the stomach longer than it should because the stomach's muscles are damaged. Weak stomach muscles are not able to push food to the next stage of digestion. Undigested food that remains in the stomach can cause nausea and vomiting and excessive burping as well.

#7 Belching cures

When you eat, slow down. Eating quickly makes you swallow more air, and that can cause hiccups as well as burping. Try to slow down and enjoy the meal; you might also find that you eat less and feel less full, too.

A runny nose caused by a cold or allergy can make you swallow excessive air. So an over-the-counter nasal decongestant can sometimes reduce belching as well as relieving the nasal symptoms, but should never be taken long term.

Poorly fitting dentures may cause you to chew abnormally and swallow air. If you wear dentures, make sure that they are properly adjusted each year.

#8 How are abdominal pain and burping treated?

Many over-the-counter medications can ease stomach pain and burping caused by indigestion or heartburn. Talk to a pharmacist or a medical professional for advice on their use. Always follow package instructions when consuming over-the-counter medications.

If you are belching excessively or if your stomach is distended and you cannot expel the air, lying on your side may help. Adopting a knees-to-chest position can also be helpful. Hold the position until the gas passes.

Avoid eating and drinking quickly, drinking carbonated beverages, and chewing gum if you are experiencing abdominal pain and excessive burping. These may make the problem worse.