MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Belching

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Belching

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Considerations Common Causes	Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Alternative names

Burping; Eructation; Gas - belching

Definition Return to top

Belching is the act of bringing up air from the stomach with a typical sound.

Considerations Return to top

Depending on the cause, belching may change in duration and intensity.

Symptoms such as nausea, dyspepsia, and heartburn may be relieved by belching.

Common Causes Return to top

Pressure caused by the unconscious swallowing of air
Consumption of gas-producing foods or drinks, such as carbonated beverages
Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Home Care Return to top

Relief may be obtained by lying on the side or in a knee-chest position until the gas passes.

Avoid chewing gum, eating quickly, and eating gas-producing foods and beverages.

Call your health care provider if Return to top

Call a health care provider if the belching is persistent and unexplained, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms.

Note: This is usually a minor symptom, and often quite insignificant.

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination will be performed.

Medical history questions may include:

Is this the first time that this has occurred?
Is there a pattern to occurrences?
- Does it occur when the person is nervous?
- Does it occur after certain foods or beverages?
What other symptoms are present?
- Is there vomiting?
- Is there abdominal pain?
- Is there heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth?

Diagnostic tests will be determined by the findings of physical examination and by what additional signs or symptoms, if any, accompany the belching.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider of the cause of persistent belching, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.

Update Date: 1/26/2004

Updated by: Sreeni Jonnalagadda, M.D., Interventional and Pancreatobiliary Endoscopy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.