Éructation

Éructation, commonly known as burping or belching, is the release of gas from the digestive tract through the mouth. This gas is typically swallowed air or a byproduct of digestion. When food and drink are consumed, air is often swallowed along with them. Certain foods and beverages, like carbonated drinks or those that produce gas during digestion, can also increase the amount of gas in the stomach.

The stomach has a muscular valve at the top, the lower esophageal sphincter, which can relax to allow gas to escape upwards. The accumulated gas in the stomach creates pressure, and when this pressure exceeds the sphincter's resistance, an eructation occurs. The sound associated with burping is caused by the vibration of the esophageal or pharyngeal tissues as the gas passes through.

While a normal physiological process, excessive or frequent eructation can sometimes be indicative of underlying digestive issues such as indigestion, gastritis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Lifestyle factors like eating too quickly, chewing gum, smoking, or consuming fizzy drinks can also contribute to increased burping. In most cases, it is a harmless bodily function.