What should you know about feeling sick and keep burping?

Feeling sick and repeatedly burping often reflects swallowed air, reflux, stomach irritation, infection, or another digestive problem. Eat slowly, take small sips of fluid, and seek urgent help for severe pain, vomiting blood, or a swollen rigid abdomen.

Burping releases swallowed air, which can increase with fizzy drinks, chewing gum, eating quickly, or talking while eating. Acid reflux or gastritis may cause nausea with burning, sour fluid, upper abdominal discomfort, or symptoms after meals. Gastroenteritis and food poisoning may add diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps, or fever. Gallstones can cause nausea with strong pain under the right ribs, particularly after rich meals. Heat exhaustion and hypoglycaemia can also cause nausea, weakness, sweating, or dizziness. The combination does not by itself establish a diagnosis.

Choose small, bland meals and eat slowly. Avoid fizzy drinks, alcohol, smoking, and foods that clearly trigger symptoms. Remain upright after eating, sip water or oral rehydration fluid, and rest. Do not take repeated over-the-counter medicines without checking the label or asking a pharmacist, particularly if pregnant or taking other medicines. Arrange review if symptoms keep returning, affect eating, or continue beyond a short illness.

Get emergency help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, vomit containing blood or coffee-ground material, black stools, confusion, or inability to keep fluids down. Seek prompt advice for yellow skin or eyes, high fever, dehydration signs, or pain under the right ribs.

Record when symptoms began, their relation to meals, bowel changes, fever, pain location, recent travel, sick contacts, new medicines, and possible spoiled food. Ask whether you need examination, hydration advice, or testing.