burping

• Burping is usually caused by swallowing air when eating or drinking and subsequently expelling it, in which the expelled gas is mainly a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen.{{Citation|last=Cormier|first=René E.|title=Abdominal Gas|date=1990|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK417/|work=Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations|editor-last=Walker|editor-first=H. Kenneth|edition=3rd|publisher=Butterworths|isbn=040990077X|pmid=21250257|editor2-last=Hall|editor2-first=W. Dallas|editor3-last=Hurst|editor3-first=J. Willis}}
• Burps can be caused by drinking beverages that contain dissolved carbon dioxide, such as beer and carbonated drinks; in these cases, the expelled gas is mainly carbon dioxide.
• Burping can be caused by swallowing air while consuming chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, talking while eating or drinking, or while smoking. It may also occur through swallowing air as a habit.{{Cite web |title=Practical tips to reduce bloating, belching and gas |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gas-and-gas-pains/in-depth/gas-and-gas-pains/art-20044739 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Mayo Clinic |language=en}}
• Diabetes drugs such as metformin{{cite web|url=http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=3653|title=DailyMed: About DailyMed|access-date=4 October 2014}} and exenatide{{cite web|url=http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=5430|title=DailyMed: About DailyMed|access-date=4 October 2014}} can cause burping, especially at higher doses. This often resolves in a few weeks.
• Burping combined with other symptoms such as dyspepsia, nausea and heartburn may be a sign of an ulcer or hiatal hernia, and should be reviewed by a physician.{{cite web|url=http://wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/belching/book-causes-8c.htm|title=Eructation (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)) - WrongDiagnosis.com|work=Better Medicine|access-date=4 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717175430/http://wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/belching/book-causes-8c.htm|archive-date=17 July 2012}}
• Other causes of burping include food allergies, gallbladder diseases, H. pylori, acid reflux disease{{Cite web|title=Belching: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia|url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003080.htm|website=medlineplus.gov|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}} and gastritis.{{cite journal |last1=Hopman |first1=Wim P |last2=van Kouwen |first2=Mariëtte C |last3=Smout |first3=André J |title=Does (supra)gastric belching trigger recurrent hiccups? |journal=World Journal of Gastroenterology |date=14 April 2010 |volume=16 |issue=14 |pages=1795–1799 |doi=10.3748/wjg.v16.i14.1795 |pmid=20380015 |pmc=2852831 |doi-access=free }}

In microgravity environments, burping is frequently associated with regurgitation, known as wet burping. With reduced gravity, the stomach contents are more likely to rise up into the esophagus when the gastroesophageal sphincter is relaxed, along with the expelled air.{{Cite web |first1=Vickie |last1=Kloeris |date=1 May 2001 |url=http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/people/journals/space/kloeris/05-01-01.html |title=Eating on the ISS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060930025908/http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/people/journals/space/kloeris/05-01-01.html |archive-date=30 September 2006 |first2=Lori |last2=Keith |work=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |access-date=2011-11-12}}

• Chest pain associated with burping can occur, but is rare.{{cite journal|last1=Kahrilas|first1=PJ|last2=Dodds|first2=WJ|last3=Hogan|first3=WJ|title=Dysfunction of the belch reflex. A cause of incapacitating chest pain.|journal=Gastroenterology|date=October 1987|volume=93|issue=4|pages=818–22|pmid=3623025|doi=10.1016/0016-5085(87)90445-8|doi-access=free}}
• Retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD) or retrograde upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction (R-UESD),{{cite journal | last1=Oude Nijhuis | first1=Renske A.B. | last2=Snelleman | first2=Jurjaan A. | last3=Oors | first3=Jac M. | last4=Kessing | first4=Boudewijn F. | last5=Heuveling | first5=Derrek A. | last6=Schuitenmaker | first6=Jeroen M. | last7=ten Cate | first7=Liesbeth | last8=Smout | first8=Andreas J.P.M. | last9=Bredenoord | first9=Albert J. | title=The inability to belch syndrome: A study using concurrent high-resolution manometry and impedance monitoring | journal=Neurogastroenterology & Motility | publisher=Wiley | volume=34 | issue=5 | date=2021-08-26 | pages=e14250 | issn=1350-1925 | doi=10.1111/nmo.14250 | pmid=34435723 | pmc=9285907 | doi-access=free }}{{cite journal | last=Kahrilas | first=Peter J. | title=Retrograde upper esophageal sphincter function… and dysfunction | journal=Neurogastroenterology & Motility | publisher=Wiley | volume=34 | issue=5 | date=2022-02-04 | pages=e14328 | issn=1350-1925 | doi=10.1111/nmo.14328 | pmid=35122356 | pmc=9007908 }} also called "abelchia",{{Cite journal |last=Karagama |first=Yakubu |date=January 2021 |title=Abelchia: inability to belch/burp-a new disorder? Retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (RCPD) |journal=European Archives of Oto-rhino-laryngology |volume=278 |issue=12 |pages=5087–5091 |doi=10.1007/s00405-021-06790-w |issn=1434-4726 |pmid=33893849 |doi-access=free|pmc=8553696 }} involves the cricopharyngeus muscle not being able to relax, leading to inability to burp. R-CPD was first discovered in 1987,{{cite web | title= | url=https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/0016-5085(87)90445-8/pdf?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2F | access-date=2025-04-09}} and further research gained attention in the mid to late 2010s.{{cite journal |last1=Bastian |first1=Robert W. |last2=Smithson |first2=Melissa L. |title=Inability to Belch and Associated Symptoms Due to Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment |journal=OTO Open |date=15 March 2019 |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=2473974X1983455 |doi=10.1177/2473974X19834553 |pmid=31236539 |pmc=6572913 }} Common symptoms include gurgling noises, bloating, and flatulence; lesser but common symptoms can be potentially painful hiccups, nausea, constipation, hypersalivation, or shortness of breath.{{cite journal | last1=Bastian | first1=Robert W. | last2=Smithson | first2=Melissa L. | title=Inability to Belch and Associated Symptoms Due to Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment | journal=OTO Open | year=2019 | volume=3 | issue=1 | pages=2473974X1983455 | pmid=31236539 | doi=10.1177/2473974X19834553 | pmc=6572913 }}{{cite web | last=Bastian | first=Dr. Robert | title=Can't Burp? Comprehensive Resources for R-CPD (in One Place) | website=Laryngopedia | date=2021-09-24 | url=https://laryngopedia.com/cant-burp-you-may-have-r-cpd-the-inability-to-burp/ | access-date=2022-08-24}} A high-resolution manometry, esophageal manometry or fluoroscopy by an ENT doctor is able to assess the issue. 80% of patients were successfully treated with botox after a single injection. If the injection is unsuccessful, an alternative is partial cricopharyngeal myotomy.{{cite journal |last1=Bastian |first1=Robert W. |last2=Hoesli |first2=Rebecca C. |title=Partial Cricopharyngeal Myotomy for Treatment of Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction |journal=OTO Open |date=January 2020 |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=2473974X2091764 |doi=10.1177/2473974X20917644 |pmid=32328538 |pmc=7163242 }}

Some South Asian cultures view burping as acceptable in particular situations. For example, a burping guest can be a sign to the host that the meal satisfied them and they are full.{{cite web| url = http://know.burrp.com/loose-ends/to-burrp-or-not-to-burrp/26173| title = To burp or not to burp| last = Mehrotra| first = Shirin| date = 10 October 2011| website = BURRP!| access-date = 2013-10-30| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131030104813/http://know.burrp.com/b-buzz/to-burrp-or-not-to-burrp/26173| archive-date = 2013-10-30}}

In Japan, burping during a meal is considered bad manners.{{cite web |url=http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/articles/dining-etiquette-japan.html |title=Dining Etiquette in Japan | articles | cultural services |publisher=Kwintessential.co.uk |access-date=2014-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193210/http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/articles/dining-etiquette-japan.html |archive-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead }} Burping during a meal is also considered unacceptable in Western cultures, such as North America and Europe.

Despite virtually no scientific research on the subject, small online communities exist for burping as a sexual fetish.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/inside-world-burping-fetish-community-a7435931.html |title=Inside The World Of The Burping Fetish Community |last=Gander |first=Kashmira |date=24 November 2016 |website=Independent.co.uk |access-date=2021-06-22}} Online, people of any sexual orientation anecdotally report some attraction to burping, with what appears to be psychological and/or behavioural overlaps with other sexual fetishes including body inflation, feedism, vorarephilia, and farting fetishes.{{cite web |url=https://drmarkgriffiths.wordpress.com/2014/09/22/belch-rare-bit-a-very-brief-look-at-burping-fetishes/ |title=Belch rare bit: A very brief look at burping fetishes |last=Griffiths |first=Mark |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=2021-06-22}} Anecdotally, the 'loudness' aspect appears to be an important element to burp fetishists. Despite being a rather uncommon fetish,{{cite web |url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/738244/weird-fetish-belching-burping-sexual-arousal |title='It's a major turn on': Is this the most UNUSUAL fetish of all time? |last=Mulherin |first=Lizzie |date=30 November 2016 |access-date=2021-06-22}} it continues to follow a general well-known pattern of sexual behaviour where hearing influences sexual arousal and response, noting that "it is the noise made rather than the action itself that appears to be what is sexualized and/or interpreted by the fetishist as sexually pleasurable and arousing".

File:Burping an infant.jpg

Babies are likely to accumulate gas in the stomach while feeding and experience considerable discomfort (and agitation) until assisted. Burping an infant involves placing the child in a position conducive to gas expulsion (for example against the adult's shoulder, with the infant's stomach resting on the adult's chest) and then lightly patting the lower back. Because burping can cause vomiting, a "burp cloth" or "burp pad" is sometimes employed on the shoulder to protect clothing.{{cite web | url=http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/burping-a-baby-topic-overview | title=Burping a Baby - Topic Overview | publisher=WebMD | date=18 February 2013 | access-date=16 April 2015}}

The Guinness World Record for the loudest burp was 112.4 dB, set by Neville Sharp from Darwin, Australia in 2021.{{cite web |title=Loudest burp (male) |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/80129-loudest-burp-male |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=12 January 2024 |date=29 July 2021}} This is approximately as loud as a jet engine at {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|url=http://www1.lasalle.edu/~reese/decibels.htm|title=Decibel levels|website=www1.lasalle.edu|access-date=2018-11-02}} The record was previously held by Paul Hunn, who held the record for 12 years.{{cite web |last1=Suggitt |first1=Connie |title=Loudest burp record broken for first time in over a decade |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2021/11/loudest-burp-record-broken-for-first-time-in-over-a-decade-683953 |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=13 January 2024}}

It is possible to voluntarily induce burping through swallowing air and then expelling it, and by manipulation of the vocal tract produce burped speech.

While this is often employed as a means of entertainment or competition, it can also act as an alternative means of vocalisation for people who have undergone a laryngectomy, with the burp replacing laryngeal phonation. This is known as esophageal speech.

Many other mammals, such as cows, dogs and sheep, also burp.

Much of the gas expelled is produced as a byproduct of the ruminant's digestive process. These gases notably include a large volume of methane, produced exclusively by a narrow cohort of methanogenic archaea in the animal's gut; Escherichia coli (E. coli) and other bacteria lack the enzymes and cofactors required for methane production. A lactating cow produces about 322g of methane per day,{{Cite journal|last1=Grainger|first1=C.|last2=Clarke|first2=T.|last3=McGinn|first3=S.M.|last4=Auldist|first4=M.J.|last5=Beauchemin|first5=K.A.|last6=Hannah|first6=M.C.|last7=Waghorn|first7=G.C.|last8=Clark|first8=H.|last9=Eckard|first9=R.J.|title=Methane Emissions from Dairy Cows Measured Using the Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Tracer and Chamber Techniques|journal=Journal of Dairy Science|volume=90|issue=6|pages=2755–2766|doi=10.3168/jds.2006-697|pmid=17517715|year=2007|doi-access=free}} i.e. more than 117 kg per year through burping and exhalation, making commercially farmed cows a major (37%){{Cite web|url=https://www.globalmethane.org/expo-docs/china07/postexpo/ag_gerber.pdf|title=Livestock's Long Shadow|last=Gerber|first=Pierre}} contributor to anthropogenic methane emissions, and hence to the greenhouse effect. 95% of this gas (wind) is emitted through burping.{{cite news|last1=Polakovic|first1=Gary|title=Bovine belching called udderly serious gas problem: Global warming concerns spur effort to cut methane|date=13 July 2003|url=http://www.mycattle.com/health/dsp_health_article.cfm?storyid=10045|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040813063303/http://www.mycattle.com/health/dsp_health_article.cfm?storyid=10045|archive-date=13 August 2004}} This has led scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation of Perth, Australia, to develop an anti-methanogen vaccine to minimize methane in cow burps.{{cite news |author=Nowak, R. |title=Burp vaccine cuts greenhouse gas emissions |newspaper=New Scientist |date=5 September 2004 |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6431}}

One reason why cows burp so much is that they are often fed foods that their digestive systems cannot fully process, such as corn and soy. Some farmers have reduced burping in their cows by feeding them alfalfa and flaxseed, which are closer to the grasses that they had eaten in the wild before they were domesticated.{{cite news |title=Greening the Herds: A New Diet to Cap Gas |newspaper=The New York Times|date=4 June 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/us/05cows.html}}

There is no documented evidence that birds burp, though ornithologists believe that there is nothing which physiologically prevents them from doing so. However, since the microbiota of birds do not include the same set of gas-producing bacteria that mammals have to aid in digestion, gas hardly builds up in the gastrointestinal tracts of birds.{{cite web|last1=Schwanke|first1=Catherine|title=Is It True That Birds Can't Fart?|url=http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-05/it-true-birds-cant-fart|website=Popular Science|access-date=18 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426034552/http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-05/it-true-birds-cant-fart|archive-date=26 April 2016|date=4 June 2009}}

• Flatulence
• Hiccup
• Penelope and the Humongous Burp

{{Reflist}}

{{Medical resources

| ICD10 = {{ICD10|R|14||r|10}}

| ICD9 = {{ICD9|787.3}}

| DiseasesDB=30089

| MedlinePlus = 003080

}}

{{Digestive system and abdomen symptoms and signs}}

Category:Reflexes

Category:Symptoms and signs: Digestive system and abdomen