ARE YOU BURPING TOO MUCH? WHY IT HAPPENS AND HOW TO FIND RELIEF

Many people consider burping a social faux pas, but belching occasionally after a meal or soft drink is perfectly normal. That said, if youre burping often throughout the day, it may be a sign of something more serious than a slight embarrassment.

While everyone burps sometimes, reasons for burping a lot may include certain lifestyle habits or underlying conditions that require treatment. If you experience burping alongside symptoms like unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or changes in your bowel habits, such as inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas, see your doctor right away.

How Much Burping Is Normal?

There isn't an agreed-upon normal frequency of burping, but I would estimate that three to four times after ingestion of a meal or carbonated beverage would be considered normal, says Bryan Curtin, MD, the director of neurogastroenterology and GI motility at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.

Burping is considered abnormal if it prevents you from interacting normally or eating, or if it occurs continuously throughout the day, Dr. Curtin adds. In these cases, speak to your doctor to identify the cause and potential treatment.

What Can Cause Excessive Burping?

You may also notice more burps after certain activities, like running, or if you have an underlying condition.

Swallowing Air

Habits that increase your likelihood of swallowing air include eating or drinking too fast, using straws or sports bottles, talking while eating, smoking or vaping, drinking carbonated drinks, and chewing gum, says Leybelis Padilla, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist based in San Diego.

Certain Foods and Drinks

Chewing gum and carbonated beverages arent the only foods and drinks that may cause frequent belching, Curtin says.

• Peas, lentils, and beans
• Vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, onions, peas, and radishes
• Fruits like apricots, bananas, peaches, pears, and apples
• Wheat
• Fried and fatty foods
• Sugar and sugar substitutes
• Milk and other dairy products (in those with trouble digesting lactose)

GERD

In these cases, patients may commonly experience regurgitation and belching, Dr. Yadlapati says.

Hiatal Hernia

Often heartburn-related symptoms can be caused by the presence of a hiatal hernia, which can lead to excessive burping by nature of the altered anatomy and impaired relaxation of the stomach, Dr. Padilla says.

Gastric Ulcers

Gastroparesis

Side Effects and Complications of Excessive Burping

How to Stop Burping So Much

When to See a Doctor

• Severe or prolonged belly pain
• Unintentional weight loss
• Repeated vomiting or vomiting with blood
• Dark, tarry stools
• Trouble swallowing
• Fatigue or weakness
• A yellowing of the skin or eyes

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating

Your doctors evaluation may include a thorough review of your medical history, plus imaging such as a CT scan of the abdomen or chest, H. pylori testing, laboratory testing, or even an upper endoscopy, Padilla notes.

The Takeaway

• Swallowing too much air when drinking carbonated beverages, chewing gum, or eating too quickly is a common cause of excessive burping, and lifestyle changes to reduce burping may help.
• Underlying conditions like GERD and hiatal hernia can also cause symptoms like excessive belching.
• Its important to see a doctor if frequent burping is interfering with your everyday life or occurs alongside symptoms like chest pain or unexplained weight loss.