Khaberni - Frequent burping may worry some, but doctors confirm that it is not a common sign of cancer. Oncologist Dr. Sunil Kamath explained that burping is a natural process for expelling accumulated air in the stomach.
Burping is usually linked to common digestive system issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach ulcers, gastroparesis, hiatal hernia, and esophageal motility disorders. Certain dietary habits, like chewing gum quickly or drinking carbonated beverages, as well as artificial sweeteners and sugary alcohols, can cause additional gas, leading to burping.
Although theoretically burping could occur with certain gastrointestinal cancers such as esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, and liver cancers, burping alone does not lead a doctor to suspect cancer.
Dr. Kamath emphasized that warning signs that should cause concern include difficulty swallowing, vomiting, feeling quickly full, unexplained weight loss, persistent hiccups, and severe fatigue, which are considered together to assess the likelihood of a more serious problem.
To reduce excessive burping, doctors recommend reducing gum chewing, avoiding carbonated drinks and artificial sweeteners, eating slowly, walking after meals, and quitting smoking.
If burping continues despite these measures, the doctor may recommend procedures such as endoscopy, esophageal motility tests, or blood tests, with the possibility of prescribing medications or modifying lifestyle according to the identified cause.
