Physiologic and Pathologic Belching

Accumulation of air in the stomach increases gastric volume, which activates receptors in the gastric wall. A reflex is initiated, leading to relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, upward movement of the air through the esophagus, and finally passage through the upper esophageal sphincter, during which an audible belch can sometimes be heard. Excessive belching is often reported in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional dyspepsia. Often other symptoms are predominant, and these should be treated first. Sometimes patients present with excessive belching as an isolated symptom. These patients belch in very high frequencies, up to 20 times per minute, and often during consultation. This condition is referred to as aerophagia. In these patients air is sucked into the esophagus or injected by pharyngeal contraction, after which it is expelled immediately. Aerophagia is a behavioral disorder, and behavioral therapy and/or speech therapy seems to be the therapy of choice.