Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to Seek Medical Care
Belching (burping) is a normal process in which excess air collected in the stomach escapes through the mouth. When excess air in the stomach doesn’t pass out through the mouth, it is passed into the intestines, which results inflatulence(farting).
Belching is usually nothing to be worried about. Butexcessive belchingmay be a sign of a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. In these cases, you may want to see a healthcare provider to rule out an underlying condition.
This article explains the symptoms, causes, and treatment of belching.
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What Are the Symptoms of Belching?
Belching is pretty simple to identify. The main symptom is the expression of air from your stomach through your mouth. Symptoms include:
Sometimes belching is simply the quiet puff of air; other times, a belch may make a loud sound as it escapes through your throat. Most people belch up to 30 times a day.
In addition, sometimes with belching you may experience other forms of gas, like flatulence and bloating.Passing gasthrough the anus is common and typically occurs up to 25 times a day.Bloating involves a distended abdomen from excessive gas.
Are Belching and Burping the Same Thing?“Burping” and “belching” are interchangeable terms that refer to passing excess air from the stomach through the mouth. It ranges in sound from a barely audible puff of escaped air to a loud noise coming up your throat.
Are Belching and Burping the Same Thing?
“Burping” and “belching” are interchangeable terms that refer to passing excess air from the stomach through the mouth. It ranges in sound from a barely audible puff of escaped air to a loud noise coming up your throat.
What Are the Causes of Belching?
Swallowing air causes belching. Some things can cause you to take in excess air, including chewing gum or sucking on hard candy, drinking carbonated beverages, eating too fast, smoking, and wearing ill-fitting dentures.
In addition, some health conditions can cause belching. These include:
Belching and GERDBelching is a common symptom of GERD. Other symptoms of GERD to note are heartburn, regurgitation (bringing swallowed food back to the mouth), and a hoarse voice.If GERD causes belching, treating GERD should significantly reduce your symptoms.
Belching and GERD
Belching is a common symptom of GERD. Other symptoms of GERD to note are heartburn, regurgitation (bringing swallowed food back to the mouth), and a hoarse voice.If GERD causes belching, treating GERD should significantly reduce your symptoms.
The Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
What Medications Can Cause Belching?
Sometimes, medications and supplement side effects can cause belching. Common drugs that may lead to belching include:
If you suspect a medication you are taking may be causing your belching, talk to a healthcare provider.
How Is Belching Treated?
In addition, some antacids may help reduce the acid in your stomach, which could help with belching. Treatingacid refluxcan help with belching that is related to that condition.
17 Ways to Relieve Stomach Gas Fast
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Belching?
If you are concerned that your belching may be beyond the normal range, a healthcare provider might do some tests to rule out or confirm another condition. These may include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Belching is a normal process and does not usually require medical attention. However, excessive belching is not normal. If you feel that your belching habits have changed, are excessive, or are interfering with your life, it may be time to see a healthcare provider.
Summary
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Gastroenterology.Belching, bloating, and flatulence.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of gas in the digestive tract.Zhang JX, Zhan XB, Bai C, Li Q.Belching, regurgitation, chest tightness and dyspnea: not gastroesophageal reflux disease but asthma.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(5):1680-1683. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i5.1680Kaiser Permanente.Medications or vitamins that can cause gas, bloating, or burping.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Gastroenterology.Belching, bloating, and flatulence.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of gas in the digestive tract.Zhang JX, Zhan XB, Bai C, Li Q.Belching, regurgitation, chest tightness and dyspnea: not gastroesophageal reflux disease but asthma.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(5):1680-1683. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i5.1680Kaiser Permanente.Medications or vitamins that can cause gas, bloating, or burping.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Gastroenterology.Belching, bloating, and flatulence.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of gas in the digestive tract.Zhang JX, Zhan XB, Bai C, Li Q.Belching, regurgitation, chest tightness and dyspnea: not gastroesophageal reflux disease but asthma.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(5):1680-1683. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i5.1680Kaiser Permanente.Medications or vitamins that can cause gas, bloating, or burping.
American College of Gastroenterology.Belching, bloating, and flatulence.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of gas in the digestive tract.
Zhang JX, Zhan XB, Bai C, Li Q.Belching, regurgitation, chest tightness and dyspnea: not gastroesophageal reflux disease but asthma.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(5):1680-1683. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i5.1680
Kaiser Permanente.Medications or vitamins that can cause gas, bloating, or burping.
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