Can’t Stop Burping? Here’s What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You

This article was written by Kara Wahlgren and provided by our partners at Prevention.

Belching can be embarrassing, but eructation (the medical term for burping) is rarely a sign of anything serious. “In the vast majority of cases, it’s a benign symptom,” says Paul Berggreen, M.D., gastroenterologist and founder of Arizona Digestive Health. “Intestinal gas, on the other hand, may be associated with some food intolerances.” In other words, if you have a lot of gas coming out the other end, it could be caused by lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, or conditions that interfere with carbohydrate absorption, like celiac disease.