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Belching
Burping; Eructation; Gas - belching
Belching is the act of bringing up air from the stomach.
Considerations
Belching is most often a normal process. The purpose of belching is to release air from the stomach. Every time you swallow, you also swallow air, along with fluid or food.
The buildup of air in the upper stomach causes the stomach to stretch. This triggers the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus (the tube that runs from your mouth to the stomach) to relax. Air is allowed to escape up the esophagus and out the mouth.
Depending on the cause, belching may last longer or be more forceful.
Symptoms such as nausea, dyspepsia , and heartburn may be relieved by belching.
Dyspepsia
Indigestion (dyspepsia) is a mild discomfort in the upper belly or abdomen. It occurs during or right after eating. It may feel like:Heat, burning,...
Heartburn
Heartburn is a painful burning feeling just below or behind the breastbone. Most of the time it comes from the esophagus. The pain often rises in y...
Causes
Belching may be due to:
- Pressure caused by the unconscious swallowing of air (aerophasia)
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Acid reflux disease
(GERD) and heartburn
Acid reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from...
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Home Care
You can get relief by lying on your side or in a knee-to-chest position until the gas passes.
Avoid chewing gum, eating quickly, and eating gas-producing foods and beverages.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Most of the time belching is a minor problem. Call a health care provider if the belching does not go away, or if you also have other symptoms.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will examine you and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:
- Is this the first time this has occurred?
- Is there a pattern to your belching? For example, does it happen when you are nervous or after you have been consuming certain foods or drinks?
- What other symptoms do you have?
You may need more tests based on what the provider finds during your exam and your other symptoms.
References
McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.
Goldman's Cecil Medicine
. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 132.
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Baby burping position - illustration
To reduce spitting up, burp the baby several times during and after feeding. One technique is to sit the baby upright, with your hand supporting the head. Let the baby lean over slightly, bending at the waist. The upright posture moves air to the top of the stomach, and the forward lean puts a little pressure on the stomach to eject the air, helping the baby to burp.
Baby burping position
illustration
-
Baby burping position - illustration
To reduce spitting up, burp the baby several times during and after feeding. One technique is to sit the baby upright, with your hand supporting the head. Let the baby lean over slightly, bending at the waist. The upright posture moves air to the top of the stomach, and the forward lean puts a little pressure on the stomach to eject the air, helping the baby to burp.
Baby burping position
illustration
Review Date: 8/14/2015
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
