Ợ excess and cancer: Is there a link?

Article by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal endoscopist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

A slightly excessive
can be a sign of certain types of cancer, including the esophagus, pancreas, and stomach. However, the majority of burping that persists during the day is usually not serious and is treatable. In case you have excessive burping along with unusual symptoms, go to a medical facility for an early examination, diagnosis and treatment.

1. What is steam? Ợ gas is the word used to refer to the act of releasing air from the stomach through the mouth. It's a way for your body to remove excess air from your digestive system. The air you exhale contains oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen.
2. What causes belching? gas is caused by swallowing air when:
Eating too quickly Drinking too quickly Drinking too many carbonated beverages Smoking Chewing gum gas is often accompanied by gas or bloating and is not usually a sign of anything that's serious.

Usually, burping is not a sign of cancer. However, when excessive burping occurs along with other symptoms, it can be a cause for concern.
Additional symptoms to watch for with excessive burping include:
Unintentional weight loss Loss of appetite Problems with swallowing Feeling full quickly Heartburn Feeling more tired than usual These symptoms Frequent belching during the day can be a sign of several types of cancer, including:
Stomach cancer Esophageal cancer Pancreatic cancer If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms along with Excessive burping, contact your doctor for proper advice.
4. Other causes of intermittent burping during the day Ợ slightly excessive are not always due to cancer . Other causes of excessive burping include:
Food: Certain foods and drinks can also cause you to burp repeatedly throughout the day. These include carbonated drinks, alcohol, and foods high in starch, sugar, or fiber that cause gas. Foods that cause belching are beans, lentils, broccoli, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, bananas, raisins, whole-wheat bread. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection: H. pylori is a type of bacteria commonly found in the digestive tract. Sometimes, it can attack the lining of the stomach. This causes uncomfortable symptoms, including excessive belching or stomach ulcers. Meganblase syndrome: This is a rare disorder where large amounts of air are swallowed after a meal. Aerophagia: Aerophagia is repeated excessive swallowing of air. Swallowing extra air can cause abdominal discomfort, bloating, and burping a lot to get the air out. It can also happen when: Talking and eating at the same time, chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, drinking through a straw, smoking, breathing through your nose. Gastritis: Gastritis can have many causes, including H. pylori infection, irritation of the thin lining of the stomach by digestive juices, or drinking too much alcohol. Acid Reflux: Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing burning pain. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD is a type of chronic acid reflux. If you have symptoms of acid reflux more than twice a week, you likely have GERD. If left untreated, GERD can lead to serious complications such as esophagitis, esophageal cancer, and asthma. Medications: Several different medications can lead to belching or disorders that cause belching. These may include type 2 diabetes medications, laxatives, and pain relievers. Using too much pain reliever can cause gastritis, a condition that leads to belching. 5. How does slightly excessive help diagnose cancer? When you experience excessive burping along with other worrisome symptoms, it can be helpful in diagnosing more serious conditions like cancer. Remember, burping repeatedly throughout the day does not mean you have cancer.
To diagnose conditions associated with excessive belching (including cancer), your doctor may order the following tests:
Computed tomography: A CT scan will give a cut-out image transverse of a particular area of ​​the body. On an abdominal CT scan, you can see all the organs in your abdomen. Gastrointestinal endoscopy: During this procedure, your doctor inserts a thin, light tube into your mouth and down your esophagus while you are sedating. Your doctor can then look at your stomach and take a biopsy if needed. Contrast Gastrointestinal X-ray: This diagnostic technique is done after you take a barium contrast agent, which increases contrast in your digestive tract. 6. What is the treatment for excessive burping? Treatment for excessive burping will depend on the cause. When the cause of burping is not serious, lifestyle changes are often all that is needed to get rid of it. These changes may include:
Take a walk after eating Avoid carbonated drinks and gum Try to eat and drink more slowly If your excessive belching is related to a cancer diagnosis, methods Treatment may include:
Surgery Chemotherapy Radiation to the affected area The treatment you receive will depend on your cancer as well as your overall health.

7. What are the consequences of leaving belching untreated? Ợ Normal breath does not require treatment and has no complications. However, if belching becomes more frequent due to a digestive system problem, symptoms may worsen if left untreated. You may also begin to experience other symptoms until the problem is diagnosed and treated.
In summary, excessive burping can be a sign of several types of cancer, including the esophagus, pancreas, and stomach. However, most burping too much is usually not serious and is treatable. In case you have excessive burping along with unusual symptoms, go to a medical facility for an early examination, diagnosis and treatment.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious address trusted by many patients in performing diagnostic techniques for digestive diseases, diseases that cause chronic diarrhea or Crohn's disease... Especially In particular, the screening techniques for gastric cancer and gastric polyps at Vinmec were performed using the Olympus CV 190 endoscope, the NBI function (Narrow Banding Imaging - endoscopy with narrow light frequency band) for image results. analyze mucosal pathology more clearly... Thanks to that, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and give a timely treatment plan.
Not only has a system of modern equipment, Vinmec is also a place to gather a team of experienced doctors and nurses, especially, with a space designed according to 5-star hotel standards, Vinmec guarantees to bring the patient comfort, friendliness, peace of mind.

References:
Holly E, et al. (2004). Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer: A population-based case-control study in the San Francisco Bay area. DOI: 10.1016/S1542-3565(04)00171-5 Stomach (gastric) cancer symptoms. (n.d.). mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/stomach-gastric/symptoms Symptoms of stomach cancer. (2019). nhs.uk/conditions/stomach-cancer/