From the Guidelines
The medical term for burping is indeed eructation, which is defined as the audible escape of air from the esophagus or the stomach into the pharynx, as per the Rome IV definition 1. This normal physiological process can occur in otherwise healthy individuals, but it may also be associated with various disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia (FD), gastroparesis (GP), pregnancy, and psychological symptoms like anxiety 1. Some key points to consider about eructation include:
- It can be subdivided into supragastric belching from the esophagus and gastric belching from the stomach 1
- Supragastric belching is more commonly associated with anxiety and occurs in up to 3.4% of patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms 1
- The overall prevalence of Rome IV belching disorders is approximately 1% in the global population 1
- Eructation is different from aerophagia, which involves excessive swallowing of air leading to symptoms of bloating, distention, and flatulence, rather than just belching 1 It is essential to note that while eructation is a normal process, excessive or chronic burping may indicate underlying conditions that require medical evaluation and treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to manage excessive burping by eating more slowly, avoiding carbonated beverages, and limiting gum chewing, and to seek medical attention if accompanied by other symptoms like pain, heartburn, or difficulty swallowing 1.
From the Research
Definition of Belching
- Belching, also known as eructation, is a normal physiological function that may occur when ingested air accumulated in the stomach is expelled or when food containing air and gas produced in the gastrointestinal tract is expelled 2.
- It is defined as the physiological venting of excessive gastric air 3.
- The medical term for burping is eructation, which is the expulsion of air from the stomach through the mouth 2, 4.
Pathophysiology of Belching
- Accumulation of air in the stomach increases gastric volume, which activates receptors in the gastric wall, leading to relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, upward movement of the air through the esophagus, and finally passage through the upper esophageal sphincter, during which an audible belch can sometimes be heard 5, 6.
- Belching can be classified into two types: gastric belching, where the air originates from the stomach, and supragastric belching, where the air is sucked or injected into the esophagus from the pharynx and expelled immediately afterward 3, 6.
Clinical Significance of Belching
- Excessive belching can cause patients to complain of abdominal discomfort, disturbed daily life activities, and decreased quality of life, and may be related to various gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, aerophagia, and rumination syndrome 2.
- Belching is a common symptom seen in clinical practice, and its severity and frequency can be similar in patients with dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease 4.