Burping is a body mechanism that, under healthy circumstances, occurs after a meal or after consuming a fizzy drink. However, if a person burps too much and feels other discomforts, it is a sign that he or she needs medical help. Find out more below.

See also: Abdominal diastasis: what is it, symptoms, causes and treatments

What is eructation?

It is the technical name for what we know as burping, "that is, in practice, it is the fermentation of the food in the stomach, which generates gases and the pressure to eliminate them. As a result, the person burps through the mouth", explains Vanessa Prado, a surgeon of the digestive system.

Why do we burp?

In normal situations, burping is perfectly normal, since it is part of the digestive process. "At first, burping is more common when we chew food improperly, or when there is a high consumption of carbohydrate sources that tend to ferment more", explains Vanessa. For example, it is almost certain that we will burp after drinking a soft drink, sparkling water or beer, since they aredrinks that stimulate gas production by fermentation.

When can eructation be a problem?

According to the specialist, excessive burping without a reason is a warning to seek a doctor: "In some cases, continuous eructation is a sign of hiatus hernia, that is, the laxity of the muscles around the esophagus, which causes reflux and a greater exit of gases from the inside of the stomach. Another possible cause may be related to some dysfunction in the diaphragm", she says. Besides the twoconditions, repetitive eructation can be an indication of food intolerances, when a person cannot digest a substance properly (for example, lactose intolerance) or of more serious problems, such as ulcers and gastritis.

Seeking Medical Help

If you are burping more than usual and for no specific reason (for example, after eating something) and you are experiencing other discomforts such as heartburn or abdominal pain, it is worth seeking the help of a gastroenterologist. The doctor will evaluate your history, if there are other symptoms besides the exacerbated eructation and request some imaging tests, such as digestive endoscopy. In general, this test analyzes thedigestive tract and looks for any lesions or abnormalities in the stomach and esophagus.

Treatment for eructation

First and foremost, the treatment will be for the problem that is causing the excessive belching, so diagnosis is key for the doctor to indicate the specific care for you. In general, however, a few tips can help reduce the amount of belching if it is a nuisance:

• Eat slowly and chew your food well: Sometimes, in the rush of everyday life, it is common to eat quickly without paying attention to chewing. However, this step is essential to facilitate digestion and avoid not only burping, but other inconveniences such as heartburn and excessive flatulence.
• Take your meals in silence: In addition to helping you enjoy your food, it prevents ingestion of air and improper chewing.
• Follow a balanced diet: balance and moderate consumption of carbohydrates reduces the level of fermentation and, consequently, eructation.
• Avoid sleeping after eating: Many people love to take a nap after lunch, but doing so can make digestion more difficult and increase gas production. Instead, opt for a light walk.

Source: Vanessa Prado, physician at the Digestive Tract Specialties Center at Hospital Nove de Julho; member of the Brazilian Society of Digestive Tract Surgery (SBCD) and the Brazilian Society of Coloproctology (SBC).