Botox has a new use treating no-burp syndrome

Burping is often considered a “faux pas,” as it can be embarrassing and off-putting, especially in social situations.But for some, the inability to belch can be an issue that can cause discomfort.

There is even a medical name for the condition: retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD), also known as “no burp syndrome.” The cricopharyngeus is the main muscle of the upper esophageal sphincter, the top gate of the food pipe.With no burp syndrome, this muscle does not relax, which interferes with the burping process, according to Neil Chheda, MD, associate professor and vice chair in the department of otolaryngology and chief of the division of laryngology at UF Health in Gainesville, Florida.“Both men and women can be affected, and risk factors for developing this condition are not known,” Chheda told Fox News Digital.It may not seem like an inability to burp is a big deal, but it can bring severe challenges, the doctor said. “Those who can’t burp may report quality of life issues, such as bloating, a gurgling noise, and discomfort with certain foods and drinks, such as carbonated beverages,” Chheda said.Priya Krishna, MD, an otolaryngologist in the department of head and neck surgery at Loma Linda University in California, agreed that no burp syndrome can cause “significant psychological distress” in the affected person.“It actually severely impacts the life of an individual, making social situations embarrassing because the gurgling can be loud and the flatulence excessive,” she told Fox News Digital.If over-the-counter options, prescription medications and lifestyle tweaks don’t solve the burping issues, patients can turn to Botox for a potential remedy, medical experts say.Whether it’s injected into the face for a cosmetic procedure or elsewhere in the body for a functional reason, Botox works by preventing a motor nerve from releasing the chemical transmitter that signals a muscle to contract, explained Dr.

Chheda with UF...