Why Am I Burping So Much? Causes & Remedies Explained

Burping, also called belching, is the act of expelling air you swallow from the upper gastrointestinal tract. It is a natural process that results from the buildup of swallowed air in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach) and, to a lesser extent, the upper part of the stomach.

Flatulence (farting), similarly, is the body’s way of expelling large amounts of gas from the digestive tract. This gas builds up when bacteria in the large intestine break down undigested food that passes through from the small intestine.

While some burping is normal, excessive burping can be embarrassing and affect your quality of life.

Types of Belching

There are two types of belching:

Supragastric belching which is an involuntary reaction to an unpleasant feeling in the abdomen or chest area. This type of belching does not occur when you are sleeping, speaking, or distracted. However, over time, the voluntary activation of the muscles that cause supragastric belching can become a learned habit.
Gastric belching occurs due to the transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a circular muscle located at the junction between the esophagus and stomach. This is a physiological response triggered by distension of the stomach by swallowed air.

Normal Frequency: How Many Burps in a Day is Normal?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), it is normal to burp or belch up to 30 times a day.

Excessive Burping: Is It Unhealthy to Burp A Lot?

As mentioned, burping is a normal physiological process that expels gas from the digestive tract. However, excessive burping (belching more than 30 times a day) can cause social embarrassment and affect your quality of life.

In addition, excessive burping can be a sign of an underlying problem in the digestive system. For this reason, it is important to seek medical care for excessive belching, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms like stomach pain or heartburn.

Common Causes: What Is Constant Burping a Sign Of?

Lifestyle and Dietary Causes

Most of the time, belching or burping is caused by swallowing excess air. The swallowed air accumulates in the esophagus and is expelled in the form of burps or belches. The following habits can lead to an increase in burping because of excess air:

Eating or drinking too fast
Talking while eating
Chewing gum
Sucking on hard candy
Drinking carbonated beverages
Drinking from a straw
Smoking
Wearing poorly fitting dentures

Behavioral Causes

Some people get into a nervous habit to repetitively swallow air and belch - this is called aerophagia. It can result in excessive belching up to 20 times a minute, causing embarrassment and social isolation. The frequency of belching increases when the person is under stress. Such individuals are also more likely to have anxiety disorders.

Swallowed air from aerophagia is found in the stomach. Researchers have found that the airflow pattern in people with aerophagia is supragastric belching, where the swallowed air is present in the esophagus for a short time only and does not reach the stomach.

Learn more: “Can Stress Cause Stomach Ulcers?”

GERD and Acid Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux is a health condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) becomes weak. This allows acid produced by the stomach lining to backflow into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Studies have found that people with GERD swallow more air and belch more frequently than people who don’t have this condition. Check out our blog: “Does Acid Reflux Cause Gas?”

Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that infects the stomach and can cause stomach ulcers. More than half the world’s population is infected with H. pylori. Most people never develop any symptoms, but when present, symptoms include frequent burping, bloating, abdominal pain, and nausea.

Gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining that can occur due to infection, excessive alcohol use, and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Signs and symptoms may include belching, hiccups, dyspepsia (stomach upset), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and blood in vomit or stool.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs due to a miscommunication between the brain and digestive system. Symptoms include excess gas, bloating, belching, stomach pain, cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. Read more: “IBD vs. IBS: What’s the Difference?”

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a condition in which there are problems in the digestion of lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and excessive burping occur when milk and dairy products are included in the diet.

Anxiety and Burping

Can Anxiety Cause Burping?

There are case reports of patients with depression and anxiety disorders who had symptoms of aerophagia (a repetitive pattern of swallowing air and belching). Therefore, when aerophagia is noted on physical examination, doctors screen for psychiatric conditions, as it can be a symptom of depression and anxiety.

Managing Anxiety to Reduce Burping

If aerophagia (repeatedly swallowing air and burping) is a consequence of anxiety, then treating the underlying mental health condition can be helpful. Treatment options include biofeedback and stress management techniques. Dietary modifications (such as eating slowly and avoiding carbonated drinks) are less likely to be successful in treating excessive burping related to anxiety.

Health Implications of Excessive Burping

Potential Long-Term Effects

Excessive burping can be a symptom of underlying digestive system conditions, which should be diagnosed and treated. Also, burping excessively can lead to embarrassment, social isolation, and a reduced quality of life.

When to Seek Medical Advice

You should seek medical advice for frequent burping if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, stomach cramps, gas pains, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, blood in vomit, or blood in stool.

Also, talk to your healthcare provider if excessive burping is causing embarrassment and affecting your quality of life.

Treatment and Remedies

Lifestyle Changes and Dietary Adjustments

The following dietary and lifestyle modifications can reduce belching:

Eat and drink slowly.
Don't drink carbonated beverages and beer.
Avoid chewing gum and hard candy.
Quit smoking if you smoke.
Make sure your dentures fit well.
Get some light exercise after meals.
Follow your doctor’s treatment advice for conditions such as GERD, gastritis, and IBS.

Over-the-Counter Solutions and Medical Treatments

The treatment for excessive belching depends on the cause. For instance, if acid reflux is the reason for frequent belching, taking over-the-counter antacids may help. If you have been diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), your doctor may prescribe medications such as proton pump inhibitors to manage the condition.

Therapy may also be considered as an option for you if your excessive belching is caused by anxiety or depression.

Home Remedies And Preventive Measures to Reduce Burping

If you are bothered by frequent belching or burping, try changing your eating habits so that you swallow less air. This includes eating slowly, avoiding certain foods like beans and broccoli that cause intestinal gas, and avoiding fizzy drinks, chewing gum, and hard candies to reduce burping.

References: