Belching is the expulsion of air and gas from the stomach. We also speak of air returns or more colloquially burps. Belching is a completely normal reflex that follows ingestion of too much air. It is a noisy discharge, carried out by the mouth. Belching is usually a mild symptom. Medical consultations for belching are rare, but it is nevertheless necessary to speak with a doctor if these noisy air releases become too frequent. Belching can be associated with more serious illnesses, such as cancer or myocardial infarction. It is therefore important that the doctor establishes an accurate diagnosis.

Note that ruminants, such as cows or sheep, are also susceptible to belching.

Be careful, do not confuse belching with aerophagia. In the case of aerophagia, excessive ingestion of air causes abdominal distension and bloating, with gas rejection not being the predominant symptom.

Belching is caused by the accumulation of air in the stomach when swallowing:

• eating or drinking too quickly
• talking while you eat
• chewing gum
• sucking hard candy
• while drinking carbonated drinks
• or even while smoking

Belching can also be due to:

• gastroesophageal reflux disease: part of the stomach contents back up into the esophagus
• swallowing air as a result of a nervous tic disorder that some people have, regardless of eating
• excessive gas production in the stomach (aerogastria)
• chronic anxiety
• defective teeth
• or a pregnancy

Belching can also be a sign of more serious damage, such as:

• a stomach ulcer: belching is then accompanied by stomach pain occurring 2 to 3 hours after meals and are calmed by ingestion of food
• gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), or esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
• a hiatus hernia: passage of part of the stomach to the thorax through an opening in the abnormally large diaphragm called an esophageal hiatus
• a myocardial infarction: belching is accompanied by chest pain, chest discomfort, pallor, sweating
• or even stomach cancer

In these cases, they are usually associated with other symptoms.

Belching can make the sufferer and those around him uncomfortable. Note that the unpleasant odor often associated with belching increases the feeling of discomfort.

It is possible to avoid belching by observing the following recommendations:

• eat and drink slowly, to limit the ingestion of air

• avoid carbonated drinks, beer, sparkling wine

• avoiding eating foods that contain more air than others, such as whipped cream or soufflés

• avoid drinking through a straw

• avoid chewing gum, sucking candy. The majority of what is swallowed, in these cases, is air.

• avoid smoking

• avoid wearing tight clothes

• think about treating heartburn, if necessary

If the belching is associated with more serious damage, such as an ulcer, gastritis or cancer, the doctor will suggest appropriate treatments aimed at treating the diseases. The belching will subside at the same time.

Note that there are natural remedies that can help prevent the occurrence of belching:

• ginger

• fennel, anise, celery

• chamomile, or even cardamom