Belching or burping is the act of expelling excess air from the stomach. It's a natural process of the body and caused by many factors. Typically, belching occurs from eating too fast, drinking carbonated beverages or swallowing too much air. It may also result from many stomach conditions and the breakdown of undigested food. A health care provider can assist in diagnosing and treating individual causes of belching.
Indigestion
Indigestion, or dyspepsia, refers to abdominal discomfort and uncomfortable fullness after a meal. It often occurs in adults and may result as often as every day. Typically, the condition is triggered by eating particular foods, overeating or eating too fast. Indigestion may also result from conditions in the digestive tract, such as abnormalities of the pancreas, ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux. Symptoms of indigestion include belching, bloating, nausea, heartburn, pain and feelings of fullness. In many cases, controlling the symptoms of indigestion requires lowering stress levels, eating smaller meals, avoiding greasy and fatty foods and eating slowly, notes KidsHealth.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) occurs when a circular band of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus weakens and does not close properly. When muscles weaken in the esophagus, stomach acids and bile can back up into the esophagus and cause various symptoms. The esophagus carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. Rise of stomach acids into the esophagus causes belching, difficulty in swallowing, heartburn, sore throat and dry cough. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse says that most children under 12 years and some adults experience GERD without heartburn. Prescribed medications and lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and avoiding certain foods, may help to relieve symptoms of GERD.
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcers are sores in the upper small intestines or lining of the stomach, much like mouth ulcers. These ulcers occur from acid and pepsin, a digestive stomach enzyme. Acids help in digesting food, but they may also cause damage to the walls of the stomach and intestines. Damage may result from bacteria and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that approximately 20 million Americans will develop an ulcer during their lifetime. Risk factors are lifestyle, age, heredity, alcohol abuse and chronic pain. Symptoms of peptic ulcer disease include nausea, heartburn, indigestion, abdominal pain, gas and chronic belching. Peptic ulcers may worsen if not treated.
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