From the Guidelines
Belching and eructation (burping) are essentially the same, referring to the audible escape of air from the esophagus or stomach into the pharynx, as defined by Rome IV criteria 1. When considering the terms belching and eructation, it's crucial to understand that they describe the same physiological process. This process involves the release of gas from the stomach through the mouth, often accompanied by a characteristic sound. According to the latest clinical practice update on evaluation and management of belching, abdominal bloating, and distention, belching is considered a disorder when it is bothersome enough to disrupt the patient’s usual activities and occurs more than 3 days per week 1.
Key points to consider about belching and eructation include:
- Belching can occur in otherwise healthy individuals but may also be associated with other disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia (FD), gastroparesis (GP), pregnancy, and psychological symptoms like anxiety 1.
- Structural causes of belching include hiatal and paraesophageal hernias, and impaired gastric accommodation can lead to symptoms of belching and dyspepsia, especially in patients post-Nissen fundoplication 1.
- Belching is subdivided into supragastric belching from the esophagus and gastric belching from the stomach, with supragastric belching being more commonly associated with anxiety 1.
- It's important to differentiate belching from aerophagia, where excessive swallowing of air leads to increased intragastric and intestinal gas, resulting in symptoms of bloating, distention, and less often, belching 1.
In terms of managing belching, strategies to reduce frequent belching include eating more slowly, avoiding carbonated drinks, not using straws, and limiting gum chewing or hard candy consumption, as these activities can increase air swallowing. While occasional belching is normal, persistent or painful belching accompanied by other symptoms may warrant medical attention to rule out underlying digestive issues 1.
From the Research
Definition and Mechanism
- Belching, also known as eructation, is a common phenomenon where air is released from the stomach through the mouth [ 2, 3, 4 ].
- There are two types of belching: gastric belching and supragastric belching [ 2, 3, 4 ].
- Gastric belching is a physiological mechanism to vent swallowed air from the stomach, whereas supragastric belching is a behavioral disorder [ 3, 4 ].
Comparison of Belching and Eructation
- The terms belching and eructation are often used interchangeably to describe the release of air from the stomach [ 2, 3, 5, 4, 6 ].
- There is no distinct difference between belching and eructation in the provided studies, suggesting that they refer to the same phenomenon [ 2, 3, 5, 4, 6 ].