In some cases, burping can occur alongside stomach or abdominal pain for a range of reasons, from the simplest issues like eating too fast and eating too much to the more serious ones like stomach ulcers and chronic gastrointestinal conditions.
Possible causes
It's important to determine the exact cause of burping if it occurs alongside stomach pain so that healthcare professionals can confer the proper treatment should it be needed.
Proper identification of the cause of excessive burping and stomach pain can also help put minds at ease if the cause turns out to be something as simple as rushing through meals.
Here are six of the most common causes of burping and stomach pain, according to experts:
Excess gas
Gas buildup can happen to people regardless of age, sex and existing health conditions. It is normal to feel pressure and pain in the abdomen if there is excess gas inside the stomach that hasn't gone through the intestines as usual.
People might be taking in more gas during eating or drinking, or gastrointestinal processes could be producing more gas due to the presence of certain nutrients, like fiber and starch. Both of these can produce more gas than others during digestion.
Rushing meals
Rushing through meals makes a person susceptible to taking in more air than usual. Bigger chunks of food can also prolong the digestion process and sit for long periods in the intestine, causing abdominal pain.
Rushing through foods that are hard to digest or eating too much of them in one sitting can also impair the stomach's natural release of gas and cause pressure to build up, triggering stomach pain.
Bad foods
Besides foods rich in fiber and starch, there are also other foods and drinks that create more gas in the stomach. More often than not, these foods are also bad for the gut, so it should come as no surprise that eating them can cause an upset stomach.
Common examples include soda, carbonated juice drinks, beer, candies, pastries and refined grains. Some sulfuric foods, like garlic, leeks, onion and broccoli, can also cause bloating and gas buildup. Those prone to stomach problems should consume these foods in moderation.
Indigestion
Indigestion is a general term that describes the discomfort felt in the upper abdomen and feelings of fullness during eating. People might describe the sensation as a feeling of gassiness or an immense sense of fullness despite eating a normal-sized meal.
It can be the result of a number of things, such as smoking, eating fried foods and drinking too much caffeine and alcohol. In some cases, indigestion could be a symptom of an underlying gastrointestinal condition, like gastritis, celiac disease and peptic ulcers.
Heartburn
Heartburn can cause sensations similar to those of indigestion. But as the name implies, heartburn is primarily characterized by a painful burning feeling that spreads from the chest to the throat. It happens because stomach acid floods back up to the esophagus due to an irritated or inflamed intestine. For this reason, burps occurring as a result of heartburn might taste foul.
Like indigestion, heartburn can also be a sign of a more serious condition. For instance, frequent or constant heartburn can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn could also occur alongside stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems.
Gastrointestinal conditions
In case burping and stomach pain do not appear to be the result of eating habits or food choices, it's best to consult a healthcare professional to get a proper diagnosis. Here are some of the common gastrointestinal disorders that cause excessive burping and stomach pain:
- Lactose intolerance
- Hernia
- Gastritis
- Pancreatitis
- Celiac disease
Tips and remedies
Reducing excess gas and treating stomach pain requires no sophisticated remedies or strategies. More often than not, adopting healthier habits is the best defense against excessive burping and stomach pain. These habits include:
- Don't rush through meals.
- Cut back on fried foods, fast foods and other high-fat foods.
- Limit intake of spicy foods.
- Substitute healthier drinks like tea and green smoothies for carbonated ones.
- Avoid gum.
- Avoid trigger foods.
- Take probiotics or digestive enzyme supplements.
Burping and stomach pain can cause great discomfort. Watch out for bad eating habits and food choices and swap them over for healthier ones to maintain good gut health in the long run. (Related: Your diet and gut health can be modified to lower risk of Alzheimer's.)
Learn more about the best foods for gut health at Superfoods.news.
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