A little burping here and there is normal.
Burping represents the backwards passage of air from the stomach or
esophagus up through the mouth. This air is typically swallowed when we
breathe or eat. When there's a sudden release of air into the esophagus
that causes it to stretch, there is a reflux that allows the upper
esophagus to relax, enabling us to belch and release the air.
But if persistent bouts of belching occur, take note of what your body
is trying to communicate. If burping continues for a long period of
time, or it gets worse it may mean that there's something else going on
that may require a visit to the doctor.
A number of serious conditions can cause you to bring up unusual amounts
of wind including GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease - a condition
in which the contents of your stomach back up into your throat, small
intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO), a condition in which excess
bacteria develops in the small intestine and creates extra gas that
passes through the gastrointestinal tract. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS
is another cause as is lactose intolerance, gastroparesis (impairment
in the motility of the stomach, which is common in diabetics), or hiatal
hernia (when part of the stomach slides up into the chest, above the
diaphragm).
So, to figure out why you're belching on
the regular, you need to find out whether you are experiencing it
hand-in-hand with other symptoms that are typical symptoms of another
illness. Other partner symptoms that you should be weary of include:
Vomiting
Vomiting for no reason is a worrisome symptom. Yet when it's teamed up
with incessant burping it's a clear sign that a more serious problem
could be behind those belches. As it could indicate a condition like
acid reflux or a hiatal hernia. It may also be an indication of a sign
of obstruction either in the stomach or the small intestine as well as
other benign conditions like an ulcer. If this is something that you
experience frequently let your doctor know about it just to be on the
safe side.
Unexpected weight loss and loss of appetite
There could be a reason behind losing weight suddenly. In fact
unexpected weight loss is often perceived to be alarming. Until proven
otherwise, it should be presumed to be due to a malignant (cancerous)
process. This occurs because cancer develops from rapidly dividing
mutant cells, which require high energy to divide so quickly.
They use the energy and nutrients that we would normally use, which
leads to weight loss. If you're burping more than usual and your
appetite seems to have come to a halt, decreased appetite could indicate
inflammation, infection, ulcers or cancer. In the case where these
conditions are ruled out, sudden weight loss could be a sign of severe
depression.
Constipation or diarrhea
There's nothing alarming about the occasional clogged pipe, but if
constipation occurs more frequently, accompanied by other symptoms like
burping, consult your doctor. New, onset constipation, or stool
associated with bleeding, severe bloating and pain, vomiting, belching
or weight loss may be a sign of a bowel obstruction, such as a tumor and
scar tissue or twisted colon. Most of the time, patients with
constipation have IBS, which is associated with increased gas, causing
belching.
Going to the bathroom too much can be just as concerning as not going to
the bathroom at all. Diarrhea can also occur due to IBS, but if
associated with other symptoms, it may be due to celiac disease, Crohn's
disease, or ulcerative colitis - all of which can also result in an
increase in belching.
Abdominal distension
Abdominal distension is the expansion of the abdomen beyond its usual
size. It's typically the result of food fermenting in your intestine,
which produces excess gas, causing more burping. Persistent or severe
distension can also be a sign of an obstruction or severe food allergy
or intolerance such as gluten or fructose. If you're burping a lot and
your tummy feels uncomfortable, speak to a physician to find out the
cause.