Comments on: Episodes of Constant Belching, Bouts of Burping A Lot

By: Dr. Chris

Dr. Chris — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:32:40 +0000

In reply to chinga. Hi Chinga Esophageal candidiasis is almost always associated with an impaired immune system (immunocompromised). HIV is not the only cause but it may be wise to repeat the test after a few months. Diabetes could be another possible cause as well as other conditions that may impair immune functioning. The fact that you noticed such a significant change in your ability to breath when sitting up rather than lying down may be a sign of heart and/or lung conditions. Hopefully you are being managed by a specialist (gastroenterologist) and it may also be a good idea to see a pulmonologist. Cannot tell you what exactly is wrong without knowing test results. You should discuss this with your doctor as he/she may not have divulged all the details of the condition. Speak to your doctor about repeating the HIV test and doing a screen for autoimmune diseases.

By: chinga

chinga — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:00:24 +0000

i have had an endoscopy done due 2 difficulty swallowing-especially solids and found that i had oesphagal candidais. took an hiv test that was negative 2 rule it out as the cause but doctors cant seem 2 find wat caused it. i hav been burping for 3 months now and taken medication after medication but no real improvement. the belching interferes with my breathing at times especially wen i lie down 2 sleep-slept in sitting position for a couple of days coz i jst cudnt breathe! wat cud be wrong? been advised 2 take another endoscopy.

By: Dr. Chris

Dr. Chris — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:30:30 +0000

In reply to tassha. Hi Tassha There are a number of reasons why you could be burping continuously in this manner. Refer to the article on Excessive Belching for a list of possible causes. If you can identify that the methamphetamines are the cause then there will be little that can remedy the situation apart from stopping the drug.

By: tassha

tassha — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:42:45 +0000

i have bouts where i will burp continuesly for days at a time. I have always cintributed this to my unfortunate use of methamphetamines because it happens only when i am actively using. However not all the time just like 2 or 3 days a month. the only way to make it stop is to go to sleep.

By: Dr. Chris

Dr. Chris — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:52:46 +0000

In reply to steely. Hi Steely It is difficulty to stop swallowing air if one of the predisposing factors for aerophagia exists. Despite your best efforts, you will still swallow air. If you are swallowing air, not only during eating, then it is happening constantly throughout the day. GERD and IBS should not be ruled out just yet until your doctor says that there is no indication of either of these conditions.

By: steely

steely — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:48:18 +0000

Many thanks, Dr Chris – thats very helpful.

In an attempt to discount aerophagia from the list of possibilities, I tried avoiding swallowing for a morning (spitting any saliva produced into a glass) and was still belching just before lunch (3 hours after breakfast). Could air swallowed at or before breakfast still be responsible for the belching? If not, does this rule out GERD or IBS (since there’s presumably nowhere else that the stomach gas can be coming from)?

(apologies for not giving more details about age and health – I’m male, 45, 6ft and 12.5 stone, and don’t have any other medical conditions)

I spoke to my GP about the HP breath test and he’s offered me a new (since January) faecal antigen test for H Pylori.

Thanks again!

Steve