What should you know about burp a lot and stomach pain?

Swallowing air while eating quickly, chewing gum or drinking fizzy drinks can increase burping and bloating. Acid reflux or gastritis may cause upper abdominal discomfort, burning, sour fluid or nausea. Food poisoning and gastroenteritis often bring cramps with vomiting or diarrhoea. Gallstones can cause steady pain under the right ribs, especially after a rich meal. Coeliac disease, Crohn's disease or diverticular disease may cause recurrent symptoms alongside bowel changes. The location, timing and associated symptoms help guide assessment.

Eat slowly, take smaller mouthfuls and reduce fizzy drinks for a trial period. Notice whether particular foods, large meals or lying down trigger pain. Keep hydrated, rest if a stomach illness is suspected, and avoid medicines that have previously irritated your stomach unless prescribed. Arrange a review if symptoms recur, persist, affect eating or come with weight change, ongoing diarrhoea or constipation.

Get urgent help for sudden severe pain, a rigid or swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, black stools, vomiting blood, fainting, chest pain, breathing difficulty or inability to pass stool and gas. Fever with worsening localized pain also warrants prompt assessment.

Where is the pain and what triggers it? Do I need tests for reflux, inflammation or gallbladder disease? Which foods or medicines should I avoid while symptoms settle?