By John Salak –
Everyone belches or burps. There is no way about it. In fact, it’s been reported that it is normal to burb up to four times during a meal. The process is the body’s way of releasing air that a person inadvertently swallowed. In some cultures, a good burb actually signals the person enjoyed a great meal.
What’s unsettling and maybe even dangerous is when belching raises to the level that it interferes with daily life. Perhaps shockingly, almost 2 percent of adults suffer from belching disorders, the causes of which often elude physicians.
Excessive burping may also be a sign that other dangers are lurking, such as acid reflux, gastritis or IBS. A recent study out of Japan’s Osaka Metropolitan University added to these belching insights when it reported that these disorders can also stem from a combination of diseases and habits.
The university’s study covered more than 10,000 adults, with close to two percent of them reporting belching disorders.
The research team found that disorders were more prevalent in men who drank alcohol and were taking acid reflux medications. The team also found that gastrointestinal disease, the tendency to eat until feeling full, and extremely low or high chewing frequency were also significantly associated with the development of belching disorders.
One surprise: a high consumption of carbonated beverages had no association.
“The problem with belching disorders is that they take a long time to treat and are only practiced in a limited number of medical facilities,” reported research leader Professor Yasuhiro Fujiwara. “In the future, the evaluation of the number of times someone chews and the effects of improved dietary habits in patients with belching disorders will provide a treatment option for patients to perform on their own.”
Gastrointestinal diseases and other medical conditions aside, lifestyle adjustments can help reduce burping. WebMD recommends eating and drinking slowly; avoiding gas-producing foods like broccoli, cabbage, beans or dairy products; cutting out gum chewing; quitting smoking; taking antacids and going on a walk after eating.
