i am physically unable to burp.

[paigey1991]

All my life i have been unable to burp. I have these awful embarrassing involuntary gurgles that are sometimes loud and others not as loud. As long as i could remember, i have felt bloated after i eat too much or drink anything. Many people have tried to teach me how to burp but i simply cant. Almost everytime i yawn though, i always seem to let out a tiny burp or maybe a gurgle and i feel a little relief. i have noticed i yawn a lot more than other people, maybe this is a way my body tries to get out the access air. I hardly throw up or get sick. I have thrown up maybe seven or eight times in my life and i am 17 now. I do remember everytime i throw up i belch really loud before doing so. It sounds horrific and i have never heard anyone burp the way i do when i am sick. No one believes i cant burp, even the people who have heard my gurgles. My mothier thinks i am weird and refuses to take me to any kind of docter because she thinks i am making this up. i am afraid that if i dont get help soon i might just blow up. Recently, i was curious if i was the only one with this problem so i did some research online. I have come to find that many people have experienced what i have but i have heard nothing about a cure or a name for this problem. If someone has an answer or the same or similar problem, please let me know (:


thank you so much,
paige.

[josephblascow]

I did a little research about the condition on medical literature.

It really does not seem to be a well known medical condition, surprisingly! I only found scattered reports (one of them from Kahrilas, mentioned here earlier).

In a recent (2013) medical textbook from Dr. Reza Shaker (Principles of Deglutition), he mentions a condition that he baptized "Cricopharyngismus", consisting in an abnormal relaxation response of the Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) to esophageal gas distension, but with a normal deglutive relaxation in the majority of cases.

It seems that some cases may be related to achalasia of the Lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Achalasia means "failure of muscle to relax", and it seems to be a condition that should be investigated in non-burpers. Cricopharyngismus in Achalasic patients seems have the potential to have serious outcomes, such as marked esophageal distention, tracheal and airway obstruction.

As for Cricopharyngismus in non-achalasic patients, the situation seems to be less dramatic (the inability to burp does not seem to be an achalasia per se, since the UES has the ability to relax during deglution - the defect seems to be in the belching reflex only). He then goes and describes the symptoms of chest pain and a long-standing inability to belch.

He indicates that definitive diagnosis can be made by UES manometry.

As for the treatment, at the time there does not seem to be any brilliant solution for the condition. Dr. Reza goes:
"Treatment is problematic at this time. Passage of a nasoesophageal tube can vent the trapped gas and relieve the pain acutely, but this is an unacceptable chronic solution for patients. Helpful dietary and lifestyle modifications include avoidance of carbonated beverages and assuming a recumbent position in the immediate postprandial period (to decrease the frequency of the transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations responsible for most gastroesophageal gas reflux)."

Here are the links of some scientific papers referenced by Dr. Reza Shaker in that matter:

- Dysfunction of belching reflex - non-achalasic
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3623025
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8404413
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11339431

- Dysfunction of belching reflex - achalasic patients
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2676685
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7557103
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11117588
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1426877
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8131419


I Hope I have helped at least to show where the doctors are on this.


As for me, I plan to talk to my doctor to see if I can do this manometry test, to discard LES achalasia...

[mjax311]

Im glad that there are other people with this issue.  However, I am slightly disappointed in the lack of solutions.  In almost all the posts I am seeing nothing but symptoms.  I would like to see some sort of diagnosis, plus some sort of plan of action on how to treat this.  Beacuse frankly, I am quite fed up with shoving my fingers down my throat.  

[emjaycobs]

Hello all,

I am a 25yo male from the  and suffer with the throat gurgling which I currently only can relieve by throwing up (quite violently at times) which causes me very bad sore throats due to the acid coming up from my stomach.

This problem is really controlling my life at the moment (others just do not understand). The constant need to stop myself from being sick in public places due to the trapped air is very embarrassing and I often gag when in very uncomfortable situations. Just recently I had to throw up three times on a 3 hour plane ride.

I am currently exploring ways to help me burp as am thinking this will be the most effective and natural solution.

I read somewhere online recently about massaging your Cricoid muscle (Just below your adams apple if you are a man and in the same position for women). I have actually had some success with this and have been able to burp for the first times in my life by simply massaging this muscle with my thumb and middle finger and applying a little pressure.

It would be interesting for everyone to give this a go and see if they can belch!

Good luck fellow gurglers!

Matt, UK

[sparkie456]

Hi i have the same problem cant burp then few hours get realy sore hiccups i am going to see my doctor

[DaLink]

I too have this problem whole my life and it *****, can't seem to burp after a meal or while im eating I have to stop and wait until the  bloating wears down. Im 30 now and I cant burp on command, the only time I burp is by accidentally and this happens about 2, 3, or if im lucky sometimes 4 times a year.  This might also be the reason why I cant gain weight, I Eat alot and have a hard time with  this, I JUST ate a meal and now feeling bloated, cant burp. Most of the time its a struggle eating knowing id have to stop eating because of the gas bloating, gurgling Weird noise in my throat like some air  wants out, a BURP but can't. Im surprised there isn't a Word for this Problem, like a Disease, so they can find a Cure or a Treatment for people that have  this Fustrating Problem.

[brandical]

I see this has been a few years ago. My 10yr old son has the same problem and doctors are not listening. They keep trying new acid reflex medications. Did you try the magnesium? If so, did it allow you to burp?
Thanks!!