Better out than in we always say. The truth is that everybody burps, whether they want to admit it or not. It’s a biological process that everyone is familiar with, but for some, burping can become excessive, with select individuals experiencing upwards of 10 burps in a minute. If you are worried about what is normal and what isn’t, this is the blog for you.
What Is Belching?
To start this blog off, we first want to talk about what belching is. Put simply, burping is a release of gas. The gas rises from our stomachs and is expelled from the mouth. This all seems simple enough, but there are actually different types of burping. Including:
Gastric Burping
In the case of a gastric burp, or the traditional burp that we all know, the gas comes up from your stomach. Air can get trapped in the twists and turns of our gastrointestinal systems, so burping is nature’s way of venting this air. However, if there is too much gas in the stomach, the belching can become excessive.
Supra-gastric Burping
While gastric belches are a normal release of gas from the stomach, supra-gastric burping is entirely different and completely behavioural. This type of burp is caused by people subconsciously sucking air into the oesophagus. In this case, the air is forced back out of the mouth as a burp before it reaches the stomach. This type of burping can become very dangerous if left untreated.
Where Does This Gas Come From?
Gastric belches are often the result of swallowing too much air. This is why fizzy drinks containing bubbles are often associated with burps. The air that is swallowed from these gas bubbles can get trapped in the stomach and cause pressure or discomfort in the abdomen. To release this pressure, you burp. Other causes include:
- Chewing gum
- Eating quickly
- Drinking too fast
- Talk while you’re eating
- Chewing gum
- Sucking boiled sweets
So, often, if you are suffering from excessive burping, simple lifestyle changes (like avoiding chewing gum) could make a huge difference.
To learn more about burping, read our other blog on the subject here. Alternatively, if you would like to read some of our other blogs, browse our full list of articles here.