Belching is a sign that your digestive system is working optimally. However, there are instances in which it’s something else than just your body trying to get rid of air that’s accidentally swallowed during meal times or while you are speaking, laughing or chewing gum.

Especially if burping happens more often than usual and is accompanied by some other unusual symptoms, it’s almost always for certain that there is something wrong taking place within the body. In certain cases, burping that is due to an undiagnosed problem requires immediate medical attention.

Without any more ado, let’s take a look at some of the signs that burping is worth being seen by an expert:

It’s Accompanied by Excessive Bloating

Being bloated from time to time is something that’s normal most especially among women. However, some cases of bloatedness can be brought about by things other than the menstrual cycle.

According to doctors, it’s a good idea to pay your doctor a visit ASAP if your belching is accompanied by painful bloating — it may be a blockage or an obstruction of the bowels. You may also experience vomiting, which only means that you should see your doctor ASAP!

There are also instances in which excessive belching that comes with painful bloating and vomiting is brought about by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or lactose intolerance. Certain food allergies may be blamed, too.

It Makes You Lose Weight Unintentionally

Are you dropping some kilos without attempting to slim down? If your unintended weight loss usually comes with frequent belching, it may indicate bowel blockage or obstruction.

However, at times it’s just due to a digestive system that is not working properly — if your digestive system is not in a great shape, nutrients in the food you eat may not be fully absorbed by your body, thus causing you to lose weight. Crohn’s disease, IBS and food intolerances or allergies are some of the probable culprits.

In rare cases, excessive burping paired with unintentional weight loss can be an indicator of stomach cancer. Needless to say, consulting a doctor about it is a definite must.

It Comes with Sharp Pain in the Ribs

Experts say that one of the least known causes of excessive belching is hiatal hernia. Put simply, it is the protrusion of a part of the stomach through an opening in the diaphragm.

You may be suffering from hiatal hernia if your frequent bouts of belching are often accompanied by a sharp type of pain in the ribs. Although it’s true that hiatal hernia is not regarded as a medical emergency, it can cause a lot of discomfort most especially after eating foods that can cause exacerbation of the symptoms.

However, doctors say that hiatal hernia may warrant immediate surgery if it becomes strangulated, something that can cut off the supply of blood to the rest of your abdomen.

It’s Leaving Your Throat Burning

According to doctors, frequent belching that causes burning sensation or irritation of the throat is almost always a sign of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Both acid reflux and GERD cause acids to escape the stomach and wreak havoc to the esophagus, resulting in heartburn. In some cases, those acids may reach the throat, causing it to become irritated. It’s not unlikely for the individual to also have cough, hoarseness of voice, excessive saliva, and even a metallic or sour taste in the mouth.

Getting your acid reflux or GERD diagnosed and treated is of utmost importance because it’s something that can be very hard on the esophagus, potentially causing some serious complications in the future.

From today.com