Burping and Belching

What Is Chronic Belching?

This infographic explains that chronic belching means burping often over a long period of time. It doesn’t just happen after big meals—it can occur daily and feel hard to control. People with chronic belching may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable, especially in public. There are different reasons this can happen, including swallowing air, digestive issues, or habits the brain and body learn over time.

Finding out what’s causing the belching is the first step to feeling better. Sometimes, it’s related to how the muscles in the throat or stomach work. Other times, it can be from stress, anxiety, or hypervigilance (when your brain is very focused on your body). With the right help, many people can reduce their symptoms and feel more comfortable.

📚 References (APA Style)

Bredenoord, A. J., Weusten, B. L. A. M., Sifrim, D., & Smout, A. J. P. M. (2004). Gastroesophageal reflux disease and excessive belching: The role of gastric belch and supragastric belch. Gastroenterology, 126(4), 917–923. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2003.12.041
Blondeau, K., et al. (2009). Supragastric belching: Prevalence and association with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 7(4), 379–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2008.12.021

Why Do We Burp? Understanding Belching

This infographic explains that when we eat, drink, or swallow, we also take in air without meaning to. That air goes down into our stomach and forms a bubble of gas. When there’s too much air, the body gets rid of it by pushing it back up through the mouth—that’s what we call a burp or belch. It’s a normal way for our body to release extra air and feel more comfortable.

Belching can happen more often if we eat fast, drink fizzy drinks, or talk while eating. Most of the time it’s normal, but if it happens a lot, it might be helpful to talk to a doctor to see what’s causing it.

📚 References (APA Style)

Bredenoord, A. J., Weusten, B. L., Sifrim, D., & Smout, A. J. (2004). Gastroesophageal reflux disease and excessive belching: The role of gastric belch and supragastric belch. Gastroenterology, 126(4), 917–923. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2003.12.041
Kessing, B. F., et al. (2012). Systematic review: the effects of carbonated beverages on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 35(2), 107–116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04909.x

Supragastric Belching: A Different Kind of Burp

This infographic shows how supragastric belching works. Unlike a regular burp, where air comes up from the stomach, in supragastric belching, air is pulled into the esophagus (food pipe) and pushed right back out before it ever reaches the stomach. This is something your body learns to do on its own—often without you even noticing. It can happen more when you feel anxious, focused on your belly, or stressed.

These kinds of belches are real, but they are not caused by food or stomach gas. They’re caused by a habit of how your brain and body work together. The good news is that supragastric belching can often get better with treatment like speech therapy, diaphragmatic breathing, or behavioral therapy that helps retrain your muscles and calm your brain.

📚 References (APA Style)

Bredenoord, A. J., Weusten, B. L., Sifrim, D., & Smout, A. J. (2004). Gastroesophageal reflux disease and excessive belching: The role of gastric belch and supragastric belch. Gastroenterology, 126(4), 917–923. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2003.12.041
Koukias, N., Woodland, P., Yazaki, E., & Sifrim, D. (2015). Supragastric belching: Prevalence and association with gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal hypomotility. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 27(4), 517–525. https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.12520

What Is Gastric Belching?

This infographic shows how gastric belching works. When you eat or drink, you also swallow a little bit of air. That air goes down into your stomach, where it builds up as a gas bubble. When your body wants to get rid of the extra air, it pushes it up through the esophagus (food pipe) and out of your mouth. This is called a gastric belch, and it’s a normal way for your body to release air and feel more comfortable.

This kind of belching usually happens after meals, when drinking carbonated drinks, or when you eat quickly. It’s different from supragastric belching, where the air never reaches the stomach. Gastric belching starts in the stomach, which is why it can feel like a natural release. If belching becomes frequent or bothersome, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor to see what might be causing it.

📚 References (APA Style)

Bredenoord, A. J., Weusten, B. L., Sifrim, D., & Smout, A. J. (2004). Gastroesophageal reflux disease and excessive belching: The role of gastric belch and supragastric belch. Gastroenterology, 126(4), 917–923. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2003.12.041
Kessing, B. F., et al. (2012). Systematic review: the effects of carbonated beverages on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 35(2), 107–116. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04909.x

Easy Ways to Help Reduce Belching

This infographic shares simple tips to help people who burp a lot. First, talking to a doctor or therapist about behavioral therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or diaphragmatic breathing can teach your body to burp less. Medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may help if burping is caused by acid reflux, especially when combined with these calming strategies.

Other helpful tips include eating more slowly so you don’t swallow extra air, and avoiding fizzy drinks like soda that add more gas to your stomach. These small changes can make a big difference and help you feel more comfortable.

📚 References (APA Style)

Bredenoord, A. J., Weusten, B. L., Sifrim, D., & Smout, A. J. (2004). Gastroesophageal reflux disease and excessive belching: The role of gastric belch and supragastric belch. Gastroenterology, 126(4), 917–923. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2003.12.041
Koukias, N., Woodland, P., Yazaki, E., & Sifrim, D. (2015). Supragastric belching: Prevalence and association with gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal hypomotility. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 27(4), 517–525. https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.12520

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