A group of researchers carried out an online survey involving 10,000 adults in Japan to explore the connection between belching disorders, accompanying health issues, and lifestyle choices. Their findings revealed that 1.5% of the participants experienced belching disorders. The researchers also identified several key factors that significantly contributed to the onset of these disorders.
While belching is a natural bodily function, it becomes problematic when it disrupts everyday life, at which point it is labeled as a belching disorder. Global surveys indicate that around 1% of adults suffer from these disorders, yet the statistics and contributing elements specific to Japan often remain unclear to healthcare professionals.
The study, led by Professor Yasuhiro Fujiwara from Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Medicine, revealed that out of the surveyed adults, 1.5% (151 individuals) had belching disorders. This issue was more commonly observed among men, those who consume alcohol, and individuals using acid reflux medications.
Moreover, the research highlighted several important links: having gastrointestinal diseases, the habit of overeating, and both excessively low and high frequencies of chewing were notably associated with the likelihood of developing belching disorders. Interestingly, a high intake of carbonated drinks did not show any correlation with these disorders.
“One challenge with belching disorders is their lengthy treatment process, which is only managed in a limited number of healthcare facilities,” remarked Professor Fujiwara. “Moving forward, measuring chewing frequency and promoting better dietary habits could offer self-managed treatment options for patients dealing with belching disorders.”
