4. Belching: Not Just Bad Manners, but a DES Symptom
Belching or burping can sometimes be the comic relief in a social setting, but for DES sufferers, it’s far from funny. This is the body’s way of expelling excess air or gas from the upper digestive tract, but in the context of DES, it becomes excessive and troublesome. Surprisingly, this isn’t just about letting air out; it signals an underlying issue with your digestive system’s mechanical functions.
Normally, swallowing air when you eat or drink is completely natural. But for those dealing with DES, the uncoordinated muscular contractions in the esophagus contribute to an abnormal accumulation of air. This trapped air has to go somewhere, and so you end up belching more frequently than you’d like. It might even happen when you’re not eating or drinking, adding to the mystique of this condition.
But this isn’t just a stand-alone symptom. The excess belching often accompanies other symptoms like chest pain and regurgitation. This interrelatedness can make it difficult to figure out whether your belching is a common occurrence or specifically tied to DES. The combined symptoms can make mealtime a rather tumultuous affair.
One might think, “Well, isn’t belching just a normal bodily function?” It is, but there’s a threshold. When you find yourself belching far more frequently, especially post-meals, it’s not merely an awkward social moment; it becomes a symptom requiring attention. It’s not the act itself, but the frequency and accompanying symptoms that make it a DES indicator.
Studies suggest that belching in the context of DES may be the result of ‘transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations,’ or TLESRs. This term essentially refers to the sphincter muscle at the lower end of the esophagus relaxing at inappropriate times. It’s like a doorman falling asleep on the job, letting in unwanted guests—in this case, the air that contributes to incessant belching. (4)
