People who cannot burp suffer embarrassment, anxiety and depression because of the condition, on top of physical pain, researchers have said. The condition, known as retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD) or 'no burp syndrome', causes abdominal bloating, 'socially awkward' gurgling noises from the chest and neck, and flatulence.
Researchers from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center surveyed 199 people unable to burp and found that half had discussed their symptoms with a primary care provider, but 90% of those said they did not receive adequate help. The study notes a general 'prevalence of psychiatric symptoms' in people with disorders which are difficult to diagnose.
Yakubu Karagama, an ear, nose and throat consultant at London's Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, said the condition had been 'tormenting people for a long time'. He explained that some patients have to lie down so that gas will come up, or stick their finger in their mouth to force themselves to be sick to release the gas.
Since 2016, Mr Karagama has been treating people with Botox injections, which relax the cricopharyngeus muscle. He described the treatment as 'life-changing' for almost every patient, but noted it is currently only available privately because of limited awareness among health professionals. Mr Karagama believes many people suffer unnecessarily and that funding is needed for clinical research.
An NHS England spokesperson said clinical evidence of the condition is 'extremely limited due to the small number of people who have come forward'. The researchers concluded that more awareness of R-CPD among health professionals is needed to improve diagnosis and treatment rates, and to explore the mental health implications of the syndrome.
