Abdominal pain: This is an uncomfortable feeling that originates between the chest and the pelvis. The abdominal pain can be cramping, painful, dull, or sharp and is often called stomach ache.
Burping: It is the process of expelling gases from the stomach through the mouth. This usually occurs after the stomach has expanded due to swallowing a lot of air. The burping releases air.
Swallowing air into the stomach may cause bloating, flatulence, and stomach pain accompanied by belching.
What causes abdominal pain and burping?
Air can be swallowed when eating or drinking too quickly or consuming soft drinks. Rapid breathing or hyperventilation caused by laughing or anxiety can also cause swallowing air. Some foods and drinks can also cause stomach pain and belching, including foods high in starch, sugar or fiber. Indigestion or heartburn may also cause temporary abdominal pain and burping.
Infants and young children may swallow large amounts of air without knowing it, resulting in discomfort and belching. This is why babies burp shortly after drinking breast milk or formula.
Recurring abdominal pain and burping may also occur due to conditions including the following:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Acid reflux disease (GERD).
Stomach and duodenal ulcers.
Gallstones
Hiatal hernia.
Acute pancreatitis.
Some bacterial infections.
Internal parasites (such as giardiasis).
Intestinal obstruction.
Celiac disease.
hernia.
Some cancers.
In most of these cases, abdominal pain and belching are accompanied by other symptoms.
When to seek medical help?
Stomach pain and bloating accompanied by burping is rarely a cause for concern, but if the burping is uncontrollable, does not relieve stomach distention, or is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, seek medical help.
Also seek help if abdominal pain and burping are frequent or accompanied by:
Vomiting, especially vomiting blood.
Abdominal pain that lasts for more than 24 hours.
Headache.
Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
Pain or burning sensation in the throat or mouth.
Source.
How are abdominal pain and belching treated?
Home care:
Over-the-counter medications can relieve stomach pain and belching caused by indigestion or heartburn. Talk to a pharmacist or medical professional for advice on their use. Always follow package instructions when taking over-the-counter medications.
If the person burps excessively or if their stomach is distended and cannot expel air, lying on the side may help. Adopting a knee-to-chest position can also be helpful.
Avoid eating and drinking quickly, drinking soft drinks, and chewing gum if a person has abdominal pain and excessive belching. These may make the problem worse.
How can abdominal pain and burping be prevented?
Not all causes of abdominal pain and burping can be prevented, the risks can be reduced by:
Maintain a healthy diet.
Drink a lot of water.
Limit soft drinks.
Eating slowly.
Avoid talking while eating.
Taking probiotic supplements might prevent some cases of indigestion and heartburn. If a person has a digestive condition such as Crohn's disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, they should follow the doctor's dietary instructions to reduce discomfort and gas.
If a person has GERD, they should wait at least two hours after eating before lying down. Lying down shortly after eating may cause heartburn.
