Help from habit reversal for supragastric belching.

Supragastric belching differs from common gastric belching. It can be detected by 24-hour intra-esophageal impedance monitoring. Belching is seldom the only symptom: reflux symptom is present in 95% and dysphagia in 65% of the patients. In supragastric belching, the air does not come from the stomach but instead from the esophagus. Belching is caused by the patient him/herself swallowing air into the esophagus. This voluntary but unconscious symptom is treated by therapy in which explaining the mechanism of belching for the patient and learning of correct diaphragmatic breathing technique play a central role. Habit reversal is utilized for teaching the patient to react correctly to preemptive symptoms.

Definitions and Outcome Measures in Pediatric Functional Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: Functional disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract are frequently diagnosed in children. Four different clinical entities are addressed by the Rome III committee: functional dyspepsia (FD), cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS), adolescent rumination syndrome (ARS), and aerophagia. Management of these disorders is often difficult leading to a wide variety in therapeutic interventions. We hypothesize that definitions and outcome measures in these studies are heterogeneous as well. Our aim is to systematically assess how these disorders and outcomes are defined in therapeutic randomized controlled trials (RCTs). STUDY DESIGN: CENTRAL, Embase, and MEDLINE/PubMed were searched from inception to February 25, 2015. Search terms were FD, CVS, ARS, and aerophagia. Therapeutic RCTs, or systematic reviews of RCTs, in English language including subjects ages 4 to 18 years (0-18 years for CVS) were evaluated. Quality was assessed using the Delphi list. RESULTS: A total of 1398 articles were found of which 8 articles were included. Seven concerned FD and 1 concerned CVS. In all of the studies, Rome criteria or similar definitions were used; all the studies however used different outcome measures. Seventy-five percent of the trials were of good methodological quality. Only 57% used validated pain scales. CONCLUSIONS: Different outcome measures are used in therapeutic trials on functional disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract. There is a clear paucity of trials evaluating different treatment regimens regarding CVS, ARS, and aerophagia. Uniform definitions, outcome measures, and validated instruments are needed to make a comparison between intervention studies possible.

Multichannel intraesophageal impedance pattern of children with aerophagia.

BACKGROUND: Childhood aerophagia is defined by the Rome III criteria as two or more of the following symptoms; air swallowing, abdominal distension due to intraluminal air, or repetitive belching and/or flatus. The aim of this study was to determine the multichannel intraesophageal impedance (MII) pattern in children suffering from aerophagia. METHODS: We compared the MII tracings of five children with aerophagia according to Rome III criteria (three girls, median age 7 years) to five controls (three girls, median age 8 years). Controls underwent MII for symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux, and had normal findings. Liquid swallows (LS), air swallows (AS), mixed swallows (MS) and supragastric belching (SGB) were recorded. Meals were excluded from the analysis. All MII parameters were separately analyzed in the upright and recumbent position. All data are reported as median number of events per hour. KEY RESULTS: There was no difference in the total number of LS and MS between the two groups. However, the total number of AS in patients was significantly higher than in controls (26/h vs 5.5/h, p < 0.05) but only in the upright position (46/h vs 8.2 in control group, p < 0.05). SGB was noted only in patients with aerophagia (2.6/h vs 0/h, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Children suffering from aerophagia have a specific MII pattern with an increased frequency of air swallows in the upright position and supragastric belching. MII may be used as a tool to confirm diagnosis of aerophagia in children.

Characteristics of belching, swallowing, and gastroesophageal reflux in belching patients based on Rome III criteria.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Belching is a common disorder with undetermined pathogenesis. With the combined multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring, two different models of belching have been defined: gastric belching (GB) and supragastric belching (SB). The aim of this study was to assess whether SB was associated with air swallowing as compared with GB or healthy volunteers based on Rome III criteria. METHODS: Consecutive patients who presented with troublesome repetitive belching were recruited. Both upper endoscopy and multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring were performed. Patients were divided into two groups: SB and GB groups according to the percentage of the predominant belching types. Twenty volunteers were enrolled as healthy controls. The number of air swallowing, regular swallowing, and gastroesophageal reflux profile was compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included in the study: 25 in the SB group and 12 in GB group. SB patients presented more belching events than GB patients (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the SB, GB patients, and healthy volunteers concerning the episodes of air swallowing and regular swallowing (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found among the three groups in regard with the reflux parameters (P > 0.05). The number of gas-containing reflux episodes were 33.0 (20.0, 48.0), 39.5 (29.5, 47.5), and 30.5 (27.0, 41.8) among SB, GB, and healthy volunteers (P = 0.383), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SB patients presented with more belching events compared with GB patients. However, air swallowing and reflux profile were similar among the SB, GB patients, and normal controls.

Aerophagia among Sri Lankan schoolchildren: epidemiological patterns and symptom characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: Aerophagia is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterised by repetitive air swallowing, abdominal distension, belching, and flatulence. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumoperitonium, volvulus of the colon, and intestinal perforation. Little is known about the epidemiology and clinical profile of affected children. The main objective of the present study was to assess the epidemiology of aerophagia in 10- to 16-year-olds in Sri Lanka. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8 randomly selected schools in 4 randomly selected provinces in Sri Lanka. Data were collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire, which was distributed in an examination setting and collected on the same day. Trained research assistants were present during completion of the questionnaire, for any required clarification. Aerophagia was diagnosed using the Rome III criteria. RESULTS: In the present study, aerophagia was seen in 163 (7.5%) of the 2163 children evaluated. The prevalence was higher in older children (10.5% in 15-year-olds) and no sex difference was observed (boys 8.2% vs girls 6.8%, P>0.05). Intestinal-related (abdominal pain, nausea, and anorexia) and extraintestinal symptoms (headache, limb pain, sleeping difficulty, photophobia, and lightheadedness) were more prevalent among affected children (P<0.05). A higher percentage of affected children were found to be exposed to stressful events when compared with controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the high prevalence of aerophagia among Sri Lankan children and adolescents. This condition is more common in those exposed to emotional stress. Intestinal-related symptoms and extraintestinal somatic symptoms are frequently seen in affected children.

[Bowel gases]. / A bélgázok jelentosége.

Abdominal bloating is one of the most common symptoms in patients with different gastrointestinal disorders. The majority of patients usually attribute this complaint to increased intestinal gas volume. Recent experimental studies using the gas challenge test help us to better understand the gas dynamics and tolerance in humans. Although there are some clinical conditions that are clearly related to impaired gas dynamics, the role of gases in functional gastrointestinal disorders especially in irritable bowel syndrome is much more complicated. Impaired gas handling, abnormal reflexes and visceral hypersensitivity seem to be the main factors resulting in abdominal bloating in this group of patients. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiologic mechanisms of intestinal gas and this may contribute to the evaluation of optimal therapy.

Colon perforation due to pathologic aerophagia in an intellectually disabled child.

Aerophagia, characterized by symptoms related to repetitive swallowing of air, is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. In some cases, severe aerophagia causes massive bowel distention and leads to volvulus, ileus, and even intestinal necrosis and perforation. A 10-year-old intellectually disabled boy was referred to our unit due to severe abdominal distention, bilious vomiting, no passage of feces and flatus during the previous 3 days. He had experienced episodes of severe abdominal distention and flatulence over the past 2-3 years. In the exploratory laparotomy, two old colonic perforations were found. Splenic flexura resection and diverting colostomy were performed. Rectal biopsy showed ganglionic architecture. During the fifth postoperative month, he was admitted to the emergency unit with severe abdominal distention. During this visit, we observed him swallowing air. For this reason, his primary illness was diagnosed as a pathologic aerophagia. The colostomy was closed 11 months following the first operation. His parents did not accept gastrostomy as a desufflator. For this reason, they were taught nasogastric tube installation for gastric distention. Briefly, if abdominal distention increases during the course of the day and increased flatus is observed during sleep, aerophagia could be the primary pathology. If aerophagia could cause complications, gastrostomy should be applied. If the parents refuse gastrostomy, the parents could perform nasogastric tube drainage.

Air swallowing, belching, acid and non-acid reflux in patients with functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Frequent belching is a common symptom in patients with functional dyspepsia with a reported incidence up to 80%. We hypothesized that patients with functional dyspepsia possibly have a higher frequency of belching than healthy subjects secondary to frequent air swallowing. AIM: To assess air swallowing, belching, acid and non-acid reflux patterns of patients with functional dyspepsia. METHODS: Combined 24-h oesophageal impedance and pH monitoring was performed in 10 functional dyspepsia patients and 10 controls. Analysis of the impedance-pH signals included incidence of air swallows, belching, acid and non-acid reflux. RESULTS: The incidence of air swallows in functional dyspepsia patients were significantly higher compared with controls (153 +/- 15 vs. 79 +/- 10, P < 0.001), while the incidence of liquid-only swallows were not significantly increased. The proportions of gas-containing reflux episodes (belches) and non-acid reflux episodes in functional dyspepsia patients were significantly higher when compared with controls (66.4 vs. 44.4%, P = 0.04 and 70.1 vs. 45.9%, P = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with functional dyspepsia swallow air more frequently than controls and this is associated with an increased incidence of non-acid gaseous gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Psychological factors affect the frequency of belching in patients with aerophagia.

BACKGROUND: In patients with aerophagia and excessive belching an organic cause is seldom found and a psychogenic cause is often suspected. AIM: To investigate the effects of attention and distraction on the frequency of belching in patients with aerophagia. METHODS: In 10 patients with aerophagia, combined esophageal manometry and impedance monitoring was performed for 2 h, consisting of four 30-minute recording periods. Period I: patient unaware that recording had commenced. Period II: patient informed of recording in progress. Period III: distraction by filling in questionnaires. Period IV: no distraction. RESULTS: A total of 1,258 belches was measured, 51 of which were the result of air that escaped from the stomach (gastric belches). A total of 1,207 belches (96%) were events during which air was expelled in the oral direction almost immediately after entering the esophagus from there (supragastric belches). Gastric belches were distributed equally over the first (1.5 [0.5-2.0]), second (1.5 [0.5-2.0]), third (1.0 [0-2.0]), and fourth (1.0 [0-2.0]) recording periods. In contrast, the incidence of supragastric belches increased significantly from 0 (0-32) in period I to 30 (18-60) in period II, after patients were told that recording was started. During period III (questionnaires) the incidence of supragastric belches decreased to 14 (4-30). In period IV the incidence of supragastric belches increased to 21 (10-49). CONCLUSIONS: When patients with excessive belching are unaware that they are being studied or when they are distracted, the incidence of belching is significantly reduced. These findings underline the importance of psychological factors and provide rationale for behavioral therapy.

Air swallowing, belching, and reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVES: Belching and gastroesophageal reflux share a common physiological mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate whether air swallowing leads to both belching and reflux. METHODS: Esophageal impedance, pH, and pressure were measured during two 20-min recording periods in 12 controls and 12 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), before and after intragastric inflation of 600 mL of air. This was repeated after a meal. Subsequently, ambulatory 24-h impedance-pH measurement was performed. RESULTS: During the 24-h study, patients showed a higher incidence of air swallows (287 +/- 45 vs 176 +/- 24, p < 0.05), belches (52.4 +/- 6.6 vs 32.7, p < 0.01), and acid reflux (42.3 +/- 7.6 vs 19.1 +/- 2.8, p < 0.01) than controls. After air infusion the incidence of gas reflux episodes was increased, both in patients (0.58 +/- 0.36 vs 3.50 +/- 0.61, p < 0.01) and in controls (0.75 +/- 0.67 vs 4.08 +/- 0.59, p < 0.01). In contrast, the incidence of acid and weakly acidic reflux episodes was not increased after air infusion, neither in patients (acid: 1.25 +/- 0.37 vs 1.20 +/- 0.33, weakly acidic: 1.08 +/- 0.40 vs 0.80 +/- 0.23) nor in controls (acid: 0.72 +/- 0.34 vs 0.50 +/- 0.23, weakly acidic: 0.80 +/- 0.35 vs 0.33 +/- 0.19). Air infusion increased transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESR) frequency in patients and controls, but this was entirely because of an increase in gas reflux-associated TLESRs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GERD swallow air more frequently and belch more frequently than healthy subjects. However, air swallowing is not the cause of their increase in reflux.

Aerophagia in adults: a comparison with functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Aerophagia is a functional upper gastrointestinal disorder that has not previously been well described in a large patient group. AIMS: To describe the initial evaluation of patients who presented with symptoms of aerophagia at a tertiary medical centre. METHODS: A computerized search was used to identify all patients who were diagnosed with aerophagia at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester between 1996 and 2003 (n = 79). Individual medical charts were abstracted for information on the demographics, clinical features, co-morbid diagnoses, diagnostic workup and treatment. Information on presenting symptoms was also collected for a group of patients who were classified as having functional dyspepsia for comparison (n = 121). RESULTS: The median duration of symptoms in patients with aerophagia was 24 months. The most common symptoms were belching (56%), abdominal pain (19%), bloating (27%) and abdominal distension (19%). Patients with functional dyspepsia had a higher prevalence of reporting nausea, vomiting, early satiety, weight loss and abdominal pain (all P < 0.01, adjusting for age, gender and body mass index). Significantly more patients with aerophagia had anxiety (19%) than those with functional dyspepsia (6%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with aerophagia experience prolonged upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Initial presenting symptoms appear to be distinctly different from those who have functional dyspepsia.

Aerophagia in children: characterization of a functional gastrointestinal disorder.

The purpose of this study was to describe presenting symptoms, diagnostic testing, treatments and outcomes in a group of children with a diagnosis of aerophagia. A computerized diagnostic index was used to identify all children between the age of 1 and 17 years diagnosed with aerophagia at a tertiary care medical centre between 1975 and 2003. Individual medical charts were abstracted for information on the demographics, clinical features, co-morbid diagnoses, diagnostic work up and treatment of children with aerophagia. Information on presenting symptoms was also collected for a group of children who were retrospectively classified as having functional dyspepsia for comparison (n = 40). Forty-five children had a diagnosis of aerophagia. The mean duration of symptoms in children with aerophagia was 16 +/- 5 months. The most common gastrointestinal symptoms were abdominal pain, distention and frequent belching. Children with functional dyspepsia had a higher prevalence of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss compared to children with aerophagia (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, aerophagia is a disorder that is diagnosed in neurologically normal males and females, who can experience prolonged symptoms. Although many children with aerophagia present with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, the disorder appears to be distinct from functional dyspepsia.

Aerophagia as a cause of ineffective phrenic nerve pacing in high tetraplegia: a case report.

We report an unusual case of aerophagia after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), which shows the profound effects of abdominal distension on respiratory ability in such individuals. In this case, abdominal distension resulting from aerophagia reduced the effectiveness of phrenic nerve pacing on diaphragm function necessitating greater use of positive-pressure ventilatory (PPV) support. Reduction of postprandial gastric air and abdominal distension with insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube ameliorated the condition and allowed for more effective phrenic nerve pacing and greater PPV-free breathing. We are unaware of a similar case involving an individual with an SCI.

Air swallowing in Rett syndrome.

The possible causes of excessive swallowing of air leading to bloating, which is common in Rett syndrome (RS), were investigated during feeding and at rest. Seven individuals with RS aged between 4 and 33 years (three with air bloat) underwent feeding videoflouroscopy and concurrent respiration monitoring. The results were compared with a randomly selected group of 11 individuals, aged between 2 and 16 years, with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and feeding problems, some of whom had mild air bloat. All individuals from both groups had isolated pharyngeal swallows and several mouth breathed; this may account for some air swallowing but not the severe air bloat characteristic of RS. Thirty-three individuals with RS aged between 3 and 44 years were monitored for nasal respiration, chest movements, swallowing, and vocal cord position at rest (between feeding). Twenty had air bloat, 17 of whom swallowed air during breath-holding in the same way, and three gulped air during hyperventilation. Of the 13 without air bloat, eight did not have recurrent breath-holding and five did, but without concurrent air swallowing. Several methods for reducing air swallowing in apnoea were investigated. The most successful was a dummy with an air leak, but this was poorly tolerated and could only be used for short periods of time. Apnoeas and air bloat are often worse when individuals are distressed and may in some individuals be reduced by anxiolytic medications.

Monoclonal antibodies for exercise-induced fecal blood detection--comparison with Hemofec.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the incidence of fecal occult blood in marathoners using an immunochemical technique (OC-Hemodia). Five stool specimens (2 pre- and 3 postrace) were collected from 24 male runners (mean age 41.4 +/- 9.3 yrs) and analysed for fecal occult blood using the OC-Hemodia test. The results were also compared with a qualitative test (Hemofec) in 12 subjects who were randomly selected from the overall group of 24 runners. With the immunochemical technique, the results evidenced the presence of fecal occult blood in 8 subjects in the first postrace stool specimens. Four of these 8 subjects also tested positive in the second postrace sample, whereas in the third postrace sample only one of them tested positive. With the qualitative test, fecal blood was demonstrated in 10 runners in the first postrace sample. Eight of them tested positive in the second sample, whereas only 5 tested positive in the third sample. The immunochemical technique is recommended for fecal occult blood detection in marathoners.

Esophagoglottal closure reflex: a mechanism of airway protection.

Abrupt esophageal distention occurs commonly during gastroesophageal reflux, thereby generating a circumstance favorable to esophagopharyngeal regurgitation and laryngeal aspiration of gastric refluxate. The aims of the present study were to examine the glottal response to esophageal distention by air and regional esophageal distention by a balloon. Fifteen healthy volunteers (age, 25 +/- 5 years) were studied while they were in an upright position. Using concurrent videoendoscopy and manometry, glottal and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) responses to abrupt esophageal distention by air injection (10-60 mL) and balloon distention (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 cm) were recorded simultaneously. In addition, 6 subjects were studied with concurrent synchronized videofluoroscopy. Results showed that esophageal distention by air at a threshold volume of 10-60 mL caused vocal cord closure. The UES response to this threshold volume was variable. Volumes larger than the threshold value caused complete UES relaxation and belching. In addition to vocal cord closure, belching was accompanied by anterior movement of the glottis. On videofluoroscopy, the hyoid bone moved anteriorly in association with belching, but not with vocal cord closure without belching. Proximal esophageal distention by the balloon also provoked vocal cord closure. This response was less consistent for balloon distention in the middle and distal esophagus. It is concluded that (a) esophageal distention by either air or a balloon evokes a glottal closure mechanism, thereby suggesting the existence of an esophagoglottal reflex; (b) this reflex is elicited most easily by distention of the proximal esophagus; (c) glottal and UES responses to esophageal distention are independent from each other; and (d) the esophagoglottal closure reflex may play an important role in preventing laryngeal aspiration of acid due to gastroesophageal reflux accompanied by acid regurgitation into the pharynx.

Hyperventilation and aerophagia: a negative report.

Aerophagia is described as a frequent symptom in the hyperventilation syndrome. However, this has never been substantiated. In this study the extent of air swallowing was estimated from the size of the gastric air-bubble on the chest X-ray, in a group of 62 hyperventilators and in a group of 62 normals. No differences were found between the mean amounts of gastric air in the two groups. Women in both groups seemed to swallow more air than men. The amount of air was not related to the time of the day (meals). In 15 hyperventilators the subjective complaints of upper abdominal discomfort and of chest pain were quantified: no correlation was found with the amount of gastric air.