I’m plagued by ‘no-burp syndrome’ – I get so bloated I look five months pregnant and live in agony
TUMMY TROUBLES
Why humans need to burp and symptoms of the rare condition plaguing the mum
- Eliza Loukou, Health Reporter
A WOMAN who's never been able to burp revealed how extreme bloating leaves her looking "five months pregnant".
Kaliesha Rae believes she suffers from a rare condition that prevents her from belching.
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Simply sipping on a fizzy drink will leave her stomach bubbling and bloated.
This might sound like no biggie, but Kaleisha revealed her inability to burp often leaves her in agony and suffering from extreme bloating.
The mum thought she was the only person with this strange quirk, but she stumbled across a condition online which she believes explains her symptoms - Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction (RCPD), also known as 'no-burp syndrome.'
Kaliesha, from St. George, Utah, said: "I get so bloated to the point where I look like I'm five months pregnant.
"I don't know how to burp. I've never been able to burp or belch and you may think that that's not a huge problem, but it actually really has been an issue for me."
Kaliesha explained that the condition even affected her pregnancies, as the constant build-up of gas caused severe discomfort that she was unable to relieve.
After years of unexplained symptoms, including intense bloating, nausea, and even what she describes as "air vomiting", Kaliesha believes she has found the answer to explain them all.
RCPD is a rare condition in which people are unable to burp or belch.
It occurs when the cricopharyngeus muscle, a sphincter muscle that sits at the top of the oesophagus, is unable to relax and, as a result, does not open to allow air out of the oesophagus.
As burping helps the body eject air in the stomach and throat, people who simply can't do so can suffering from uncomfortable symptoms due to a buildup of gas.
This includes loud gurgling noises from the neck and chest, bloating and discomfort in the neck, chest, and stomach, as well as farting.
After researching RCPD, Kaliesha discovered there's a treatment available and wasted no time signing up.
The procedure, often referred to as "burp surgery" involves a small injection of Botox into the throat to relax the muscles that are too tight to allow gas to pass.
Kaliesha said she'd found comfort in connecting with others online who share the same condition.
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She said: "If you've ever had really bad gas pains, they can be really, really bad, and that is me on a pretty regular basis.
"I do not drink carbonated drinks at all anymore.
"I diagnosed myself, if you will. I found out that I have RSPD.
"I've always thought maybe I need to cut out gluten, maybe I need to cut out dairy.
"My throat is too tight, so the burps don't come out,
"The surgery would be life changing to be able to drink a soda again, or just eat normal food and not end up in a ball on the floor for the rest of the night."
Retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction - also known as no burp syndrome - is a rare condition in which people are unable to burp or belch.
It occurs when the cricopharyngeus muscle, a sphincter muscle that sits at the top of the oesophagus, can't relax.
As a result, it doesn't open to allow air to exit the oesophagus.
Belching is a normal biological process that allows the body to ejects air from the oesophagus and stomach into the throat, pushing it out from the mouth or nose.
Because people with RCPD can't burp, they get a buildup of air in their stomach and oesophagus.
This causes loud gurgling noises from the neck and chest, bloating and discomfort in the neck, chest, and abdomen, and excessive flatulence.
People suffering these symptoms may experience social anxiety as a result.
For many, this is a lifelong condition.
The main treatment for RCPD is a Botox injection into the cricopharyngeus muscle.
Most patients are able to burp and experience significant symptom relief within a week after a single injection.
In some cases, however, doctors may recommend an additional Botox injection given several months later to patients whose symptoms continue.
After getting a Botox injection into the cricopharyngeus muscle, people may experience one or more of the following side effects:
- A feeling that food “hangs” or gets stuck in the throat
- A feeling of a lump in the throat
- Acid reflux
These side effects typically resolve on their own after a few days or weeks.
Source: Yale Medicine
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