Excessive Burping Could Be a Symptom of Anxiety

Occasional burping is completely normal it’s how your body releases trapped air from your digestive system. But if you find yourself burping constantly, especially more than 100 times a day, anxiety might be the underlying cause.

This condition, known as supragastric belching, has been linked to anxiety disorders, OCD, and even eating disorders. Here’s how stress can trigger excessive burping and what you can do to manage it.

How Anxiety Triggers Excessive Burping

1. Supragastric Belching and Anxiety

Unlike regular burping, supragastric belching occurs when a person intentionally or unconsciously swallows and expels air at a rapid rate. According to UCLA’s Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health, this type of belching is a learned behavior that often worsens with stress or anxiety.

A 2020 review in Neurogastroenterology and GI Motility found that people with supragastric belching can burp more than 100 times a day, compared to the typical 30 burps per day.

2. The Vicious Cycle: Burping and Social Anxiety

Excessive burping can create social discomfort, leading to higher stress levels. This, in turn, fuels more anxiety, creating a vicious cycle.

According to Lynn Bufka, PhD, of the American Psychological Association, distress about frequent burping can amplify anxiety, making the problem worse.

3. The Mind-Body Connection

Anxiety affects the body in unexpected ways. According to Pamela Rutledge, PhD, a psychologist and faculty member at Fielding Graduate University, excessive burping can be part of your body’s natural response to stress.

• Hyperventilation caused by anxiety can lead to aerophagia a condition where you swallow excessive air, triggering burping.

• The parasympathetic nervous system (which regulates involuntary functions like breathing) may cause repeated burping as a way to reset your body after an anxious response.

How to Treat Supragastric Belching

Since supragastric belching is a learned behavior, treatment focuses on retraining the body’s response to stress.

1. Speech Therapy

A 2020 study in Neurogastroenterology and GI Motility found that:

• Speech therapy was effective in 83% of patients.

• It helps patients become aware of swallowing and breathing habits and practice controlled techniques to reduce belching.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps people:

• Recognize the early physical signs of anxiety-induced belching.

• Develop awareness techniques to stop excessive swallowing.

• Studies show 50% of patients saw improvement with just five therapy sessions.

3. Medication (as a Last Resort)

Some research suggests that baclofen, a muscle relaxant, may help reduce supragastric belching if other treatments fail. However, more studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

The Bottom Line

If you’re burping excessively and experiencing anxiety, you may be dealing with supragastric belching. The good news? Speech therapy, behavioral therapy, and stress management techniques can significantly reduce symptoms.

If burping is affecting your quality of life, consider seeking help from a healthcare professional. Identifying the root cause whether anxiety, aerophagia, or another condition is the first step toward relief.

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