Advertisement
You’re in the middle of a dinner with friends, when all suddenly, you get the urge to burp. You quickly grab your napkin and try to discreetly cover up it up.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
While it can be embarrassing, it happens to all of us. And whether you call it a burp or a belch, it’s a normal bodily function.
“Burping is your body’s way of expelling excess gas from your stomach,” says gastroenterologist Alison Schneider, MD.
Dr. Schneider explains what causes us to burp, how we can avoid it and when we should seek help for excessive burping.
“When we swallow food or drinks, it goes through a tube called the esophagus and into the stomach,” explains Dr. Schneider. “It’s there that stomach acid and digestive enzymes work to break food down into nutrients that we use for energy. Gas is created in this process.”
We can also swallow air along with food or drinks. Those gases can come back up through your esophagus. Burping is a way for our body to release the excess gas.
“Carbonated beverages are most commonly associated with swallowing air and are the most common reason people burp,” says Dr. Schneider. “Most of the time, that air actually stays trapped in the esophagus until it comes back up.”
If you have heartburn you may also experience burping.
“Heartburn is the condition when acid flows backward from your stomach into the esophagus, a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach,” further explains Dr. Schneider. “This is also known as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). During these events, it is possible to experience burping or belching.”
Advertisement
Even though it may seem gross, burping is a normal bodily function.
“Burping as many as four times after a meal is considered normal,” says Dr. Schneider.
If you’re burping a lot, your diet may be to blame.
“You’re more likely to swallow air and burp if you eat too quickly, drink carbonated beverages, chew gum, suck on hard candies, drink through a straw or have dentures that do not fit well,” she adds. “There are also foods that can be associated with excess burping and belching and people may find that they have specific foods that are more likely to cause these symptoms.”
Here are a few tips to avoid burping:
While burping is a normal function, it can be associated with certain conditions like:
For any of the above, it’s important to speak to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and determine if additional evaluation or treatment is needed.
“If burping or belching too much is interfering with your daily life or if pain or other symptoms accompany this symptom, this may indicate another underlying illness requiring treatment,” warns Dr. Schneider.
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Burping, gas drops and extra tummy time are just a few ways to help your wee one rip one
If your provider has ruled out a serious cause, you can treat chest pain at home with antacids, inhalers or anti-inflammatory medications
Often, a throat tickle is due to a cold, allergies or GERD — but see a doctor if it won’t go away
It’s perfectly normal for gas pockets to ‘evacuate’ during the motions of sex
When it can’t pass down south, gas can definitely travel — and get trapped — up north
Gripe water isn’t regulated by the FDA, and research doesn’t support its use
Fiber gets credit, but don’t let the byproduct keep you from enjoying beans
Time can light the match on that fiery feeling in your chest, but there are ways to find relief
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims