Belching

Alternative names:

burping; eructation

Home care:

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

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

Call your 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:

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 nervous?
  • Does it occur after certain foods or beverages?

• What other symptoms are present?
  • Is there vomiting?
  • Is there abdominal pain?

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 as the cause of persistent belching, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.