When To Worry About Excessive Burping And Stomach Pain?

When To Worry About Excessive Burping And Stomach Pain?

Excessive Burping And Stomach Pain

Excessive burping and stomach pain may be signs of intestinal and digestive disorders. Knowing the difference between burping (belching) and excessive burping will let one have an overview of day-to-day stomach and digestion issues. Here, in this article, know the causes and prevention tips for excessive burping and stomach pain. 


What Is Excessive Burping?

A burp is a usual bodily act that happens when the body releases excessive air that's present in the digestive tract through the mouth. Typically, the air gets into the digestive tract when one drinks or eats.

Coming to excessive burping, there's no one proper definition however if one feels that he/she is burping far more than normal, one may consider this as excessive burping.


Causes Of Excessive Burping

There are many causes of excessive burping. Usually, it can arise due to certain types of foods and drinks when consumed. Besides behavioral conditions like supragastric belching, aerophagia belching and problems related to the digestive tract like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also lead to this condition.

As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) foods such as hard candies and chewing gums lead to excessive burping as swallowing more air is common with these foods. According to it even fizzy drinks cause burping as they lead to the formation of carbon dioxide in the bubbles form.

Having loose-fitting dentures and smoking can even lead to additional burping as the quantity of air a person swallows is easily increased.

Other causes include talking while eating, drinking, and eating too quickly. Medical conditions such as heartburn, abdominal pain, gastritis, acid reflux, aerophagia, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection.

The best way to avoid this condition is to drink and eat slowly.


What Causes Excessive Burping And Stomach Pain?

A few drinks and foods can even lead to stomach ache and excessive burpings such as foods rich in sugar, starch, or fiber. Indigestion can also lead to such conditions however, it is temporary.

Besides the below conditions lead to excessive burping and stomach pain;

  1. Irritable bowel syndrome
  2. Gastric and duodenal ulcers
  3. Acid reflux disease (GERD)
  4. Hiatal hernia
  5. Intestinal obstruction
  6. Gallstones
  7. Acute pancreatitis
  8. A few bacterial infections
  9. Hernia
  10. Internal parasites (like giardiasis)
  11. Celiac disease
  12. Some types of cancers

How To Treat Excessive Burping And Stomach Pain?

Usually, excessive burping and stomach pain, if, due to indigestion, heartburn, or any other temporary condition go away on their own. In case they don't go away on their own try some over-the-counter medications for these conditions. Get advice from your doctor or pharmacist regarding what medicine to take. Follow all the guidelines given by them to avoid any further complications.

If you're burping heavily and the stomach is bloated wherein you cannot release the air, lie on one side. Knees-to-chest posture can even be useful, stay in this posture till gas passes away.


When To See A Doctor?

As said above a temporary stomach pain and burping usually subdue and are not matters of worry. But if they are uncontrollable and do not give relief to the distended stomach or if they are experienced harsh abdominal pain then seeking medical help is compulsory.

Also, get medical assistance if burping and abdominal are regular or seen with;

  • Vomiting, particularly vomiting blood
  • Stomach pain that lasts over 24 hours
  • Headaches
  • Fever more than 101C(38C)
  • A feeling of burning or pain in the mouth or throat
  • Chest pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Stool with blood
  • unexplained weight loss
  • Discomfort of chest
  • Loss of hunger
  • A feeling of completeness even with less eating

All these signs could mean another health issue which at times may be grave and worrisome.


Tips To Prevent Excessive Burping And Stomach Pain

  • Avoid eating and drinking too quickly.
  • Stay away from drinking carbonated beverages and chewing gums.
  • Stay away from smoking.
  • Don't talk while you eat or drink.
  • Check if your dentures are in good shape and fit you well.
  • Eliminate certain gas-causing foods such as beans, lentils, cabbage, peas, onions, broccoli, whole-grain foods, cauliflower, and mushrooms.
  • Drink less beer
  • Sometimes you may be prone to lactose intolerance. In such conditions prefer low-lactose or no-lactose edibles.
  • Some indigestible carbohydrates present in sugar-free foods such as sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol may cause increased gas, keep an eye on them.
  • Eat fewer fatty and oily foods.
  • Now and then reduce high-fiber foods.
  • Be physically active.
  • Check for any underlying conditions that may be leading to this condition and get them cured.

To sum up, more than often excessive burping and stomach pain aren't a cause of worry but it is better to keep a track of them.

Author:

Sudheendra Reddy

Sudheendra is a passionate blogger for 8 years and holds a Degree in Journalism & Mass Communications. His writings particularly focus on health, medicine, diet & lifestyle. For him, everything that interlinks and relates to health & medical world entices him. His write-ups aim at educating people not by just giving facts but by infusing human touch.