Why do I burp?

Burping is sometimes also referred to as belching. Belching or burping is the removal of excess air from the upper digestive tract. Sometimes it can create noise. It can either be a voluntary or involuntary action of our body.

How do we get air inside our body?

• Burping includes the removal of excess air accumulated in the digestive organs.
• Mostly this air comes from the oesophagus.
• When we consume any food, air can also enter our body and can get accumulated somewhere in the organs.
• The food is taken through the mouth where it is first converted into a bolus.
• From there it gets passed on to the stomach through the food pipe, also called the oesophagus.
• While burping, we usually make a loud sound.
• This sound is produced because of the vibrations produced against the upper part of the digestive system while air is getting released from the body.
• The walls of the stomach start stretching because of the excessive air present in it.
• This stretching of the stomach wall causes the lower part of the oesophagus to relax.
• Relaxing the oesophagus results in the easy escape of air to the food pipe and eventually out of the mouth as a burp.
• The medical term for burping is “eructation”.

Have you ever thought, why babies need to be burped just after their meal?

• Babies need to be burped after their every meal because excessive air in the stomach can cause stomach pain due to stretching of the stomach wall.
• This can make the baby uncomfortable.
• Therefore, the practice to make the baby burp, after each meal, is carried out.

Burping can have multiple reasons and factors behind them. The type of food you eat is also an important factor for it. Normally, burping is considered a normal body reaction against excessive air accumulation in the digestive tract under normal circumstances.

Fun Facts:

1. On average, people tend to burp about 6 to 20 times a day.
2. According to some people, burping after a meal can be considered as a compliment for the chef.
3. The longest burp record is about 1 minute 13 seconds and 57 milliseconds long.

Additional Questions:

1. Why do we have to burp?
2. What is the role of the oesophagus during digestion?
3. What would happen if humans didn’t burp?

True or False:

1. Burping is also known as belching.
2. The medical term for burping is ascites.
3. Burping is the removal of excess water stored in the body.
4. Due to excessive air accumulation, the stomach wall gets stretched.
5. Oesophagus is also known as the food pipe.

Objective Quiz:

1. Burping is also called as _________.
   1. Belching.
   2. Bleching.
   3. Both 1) and 2).
   4. None of the above.
2. ___________ is also known as food pipe.
   1. Bronchi.
   2. Trachea.
   3. Oesophagus.
   4. Small intestine.
3. Burping is a _________ process.
   1. Voluntary.
   2. Involuntary.
   3. Both 1) and 2).
   4. None of the above.
4. The stretching of the stomach wall happens because of _______.
   1. Excessive air present in it.
   2. No air present in it.
   3. The stomach wall does not stretch.
   4. None of the above.
5. Stretching of stomach wall can result into ________ for baby.
   1. Pain and discomfort.
   2. Enjoyment and discomfort.
   3. Pain and comfort.
   4. All of the above.