According to the doctor, the inability to burp may not initially appear to be a major issue, but it can present significant challenges. Those who experience this condition may encounter various quality of life concerns, such as bloating, gurgling noises, and discomfort with certain foods and drinks like carbonated beverages, explained Chheda. This common digestive condition can lead to psychological distress and embarrassment in social settings due to loud gurgling and excessive flatulence, stated otolaryngologist Priya Krishna, MD.
If conventional methods like over-the-counter remedies, prescription medications, and lifestyle adjustments fail to address the burping problem, medical experts recommend considering Botox as a potential solution. Botox works by blocking the nerve signals that prompt muscle contractions, allowing relaxation and facilitating burping. Dr. Chheda further explained that injecting Botox into the cricopharyngeus muscle can aid in venting the esophagus and promoting burping.
Dr. Krishna emphasized the importance of precise injection into the intended muscle for a safe Botox procedure. The remedy for the inability to burp was discovered by otolaryngologist Robert Bastian, who developed a method involving Botox injections into the cricopharyngeal muscle to promote burping. Bastian highlighted two techniques for inducing burping using Botox, one performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient setting and the other in a doctor’s office.
Both men and women can be affected by this condition, and the risk factors for its development remain unknown. Following the procedure, due to the effects of anesthesia, it is necessary for someone to transport the patient home. The alternative method involves injecting the muscle while the patient is comfortably seated in the doctor’s office.
“It verifies muscle placement,” Bastian described. The patient can drive to and from the procedure since only local anesthesia is used. A Botox injection can be a safe procedure if injected into the correct muscle, a doctor stated. Bastian expressed satisfaction in pioneering the Botox method. “It has been a privilege to ‘discover’ and codify the diagnosis, sharing the information with other doctors, and, above all, an honor to work with patients suffering from this disorder,” he told Fox News Digital. For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
A patient of Bastian highlighted the effectiveness of the procedure, noting improvements in burping, gurgling cessation, and significant decrease in bloating. The procedure was described as “drastically” improving their day-to-day life. Fox News Digital sought comments from the manufacturer of Botox and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Original article source: Botox for burping? Doctors use injections to treat ‘no-burp syndrome’
