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Most of the time, this muscle stays contracted, but when we burp, it relaxes to release trapped air. It's an automatic process we rarely notice—until something goes wrong.
Burping is a natural bodily function, much like breathing or sleeping. It helps release gas that builds up in the stomach during digestion or when we swallow air.
He read about a rare throat condition that prevents people from belching. He discovered a treatment where Botox is injected into the affected muscle, causing it to temporarily weaken, and paid GB£1,000 (US$1,229) for the procedure.
For the majority of patients, the treatment is a one-time fix. Studies indicate that only about 20% of individuals require a second injection to maintain results.
Botox works by inhibiting the contraction of the cricopharyngeus muscle, preventing it from blocking the release of air from the esophagus. This muscle relaxation allows for the venting of trapped air, thereby enabling the patient to burp and alleviate discomfort.
Bastian identified two primary methods for administering Botox to address the inability to burp: the first involves a brief outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, while the second allows for the injection to be performed in-office with the patient seated in a chair.
A Botox injection can be a very safe procedure as long as it is injected into the correct and intended muscle. "That means having a surgeon familiar with the anatomy — as all otolaryngologists are — injecting the cricopharyngeus muscle," Dr. Krishna said to Fox News.
This process involves a muscle in the throat, the cricopharyngeus, which briefly relaxes every time we swallow, allowing food and drink to pass into the esophagus.
The technique was pioneered by Robert Bastian, MD, an experienced otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) and the director of Bastian Voice Institute in Downers Grove, Illinois.
Most no-burp syndrome sufferers experience a range of persistent symptoms, including never burping (ever, or for as long as they can remember), bloating, gurgling sounds in the throat, and flatulence.
These symptoms are lifelong and never-ending. It's important to note that people who experience one night of discomfort due to something they ate do not have this syndrome.
In individuals who cannot burp, trapped air lingers in the esophagus and stomach, leading to bloating, discomfort, and audible gurgling. To compensate, the air is often expelled as excessive flatulence, which for some can be far more embarrassing than the occasional public belch.
The improvement extended beyond physical relief, with the patient noting that the procedure had "drastically" enhanced their quality of life.
A 2022 study demonstrated an impressive 88.2% efficacy rate for the Botox treatment. The most commonly reported side effect was mild and temporary difficulty swallowing, which affected 30.6% of participants and resolved without additional intervention.
Patients who have undergone the procedure often report life-changing results. One patient shared that not only had burping become possible, but "any gurgling is gone," and bloating had "diminished almost entirely."
In people with no-burp syndrome, the cricopharyngeus muscle never relaxes for burping. The inability to burp might appear to be a seemingly small issue but it can cause significant discomfort and impact daily life.
It represents a meaningful step forward in improving the quality of life for individuals who may have struggled in silence with a condition that was long misunderstood or dismissed.
Sources: (Fox News) (BBC) (Very Well Health) (Columbia Doctors)
See also: Celebs get candid about botox
Mr Karagama said "When you eat something or drink, you have this pain. Some patients have to lie down so that the gas will come up, and some people have to stick their finger in their mouth to force themselves to be sick, so that the gas will come out with it."
Both men and women can be affected, and risk factors for developing this condition are not known. 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," DR. Krishna told Fox News Digital.
"My friends would be out drinking beer, and there was no way I could join in—it was really uncomfortable, I’d bloat up and it would end the night," he said. After consulting a doctor, he was advised to try indigestion and heartburn remedies, but they had no effect.
Phil Brown, 35, from the UK hailed a "life-changing" Botox treatment that cured his lifelong discomfort of not being able to burp. He told the BBC that since his teenage years, he had experienced bloating after drinking, which often ruined nights out.
Burping can also be, as the old saying goes, a "sign of satisfaction," often signaling the completion of a good meal or drink.
Retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD) wasn't discovered until 2019. "No-burp syndrome is a whole new phenomenon," says laryngologist Michael Pitman, MD, chief of the Division of Laryngology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
"What's so cool is young people started talking about it on social media and helped each other realize what they all had, so they could get the relief they needed." Pitman now leads one of the primary treatment centers in the field.
Yakubu Karagama, an ear, nose, and throat consultant at London's Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, said to the BBC the condition had been "tormenting people for a longtime."
Mr. Brown said he noticed an effect four days later, but needed to drink water with each mouthful of food for the first two weeks."It's now four months on and it's perfect, I can burp fine, probably too much if anything," he said happily.
This innovative use of Botox is an exciting development, offering relief to those who suffer from a condition that, while often overlooked, can significantly impact daily comfort and well-being.
By addressing the root cause of trapped air, this treatment provides not just physical relief but also the psychological benefit of easing a previously persistent and frustrating issue.
Yes, you read the title correctly. Botox has once again proven its versatility beyond the cosmetic world. Known for smoothing wrinkles, alleviating migraines, and even stopping excessive sweating, its latest surprising application is helping individuals with Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction (R-CPD), also known as "no burp syndrome." This condition, as peculiar as it sounds, prevents people from being able to burp—something most people on the planet likely take for granted. It might not seem like such a big deal but to those who suffer from the condition, it can cause a lot of pain, discomfort, and embarrassment.
So how can Botox help? You’re about to find out. The results are nothing short of impressive, offering relief to those who have struggled with this frustrating condition for years. In this gallery we explore. Click on the next slide to get started.
How Botox is helping those struggling with the inability to burp
The surprising new use for this popular treatment
HEALTH New treatment
Yes, you read the title correctly. Botox has once again proven its versatility beyond the cosmetic world. Known for smoothing wrinkles, alleviating migraines, and even stopping excessive sweating, its latest surprising application is helping individuals with Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction (R-CPD), also known as "no burp syndrome." This condition, as peculiar as it sounds, prevents people from being able to burp—something most people on the planet likely take for granted. It might not seem like such a big deal but to those who suffer from the condition, it can cause a lot of pain, discomfort, and embarrassment.
So how can Botox help? You’re about to find out. The results are nothing short of impressive, offering relief to those who have struggled with this frustrating condition for years. In this gallery we explore. Click on the next slide to get started.