Burping too much is not just embarrassing but can also be a sign of a serious health issue, as one 24-year-old nurse learned the hard way. At the age of 22, Bailey McBreen began to burp excessively, but brushed it off as a minor issue. However, two years later, in February 2022, McBreen began experiencing bad acid reflux, which doctors initially dismissed as anxiety. It wasn’t until January, when McBreen experienced excruciating pain, loss of appetite, and difficulty with bowel movements, that a CT scan revealed a tumour in her colon – it was colon cancer.
Reflecting on her symptoms, McBreen reveals that excessive burping was the first sign she experienced, occurring 5-10 times a day, which was abnormal for her as she had never burped regularly before. McBreen also noted belching, which was caused by the tumour obstructing her bowels. Although she did not initially associate her burping with cancer, doctors told her it was likely one of the early symptoms.
McBreen had assumed that the onset of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was the cause of her excessive burping. However, when bowel obstruction occurred, she noticed an inability to digest food, which led to trapped food above the tumour, resulting in reflux and excessive burps.
Colon cancer is a serious disease that occurs when a tumour forms in the colon, causing obstructed normal functioning. Symptoms of this disease include excessive burping, as well as abdominal pain, blood in the stool, and changes in bowel habits. If you experience any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor immediately. As a disclaimer, the tips and suggestions mentioned in this article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. You should always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness program or making any changes to your diet.