How to talk to your GP about R-CPD
Quick summary
- Lots of doctors don't know about R-CPD yet, so go in prepared.
- Say what happens to you, name R-CPD and ask for an ENT (ear, nose and throat) referral.
- Take the key studies with you. They show the treatment works.
Talking to your GP about not burping can feel a bit awkward. Don't worry, GPs hear about far more embarrassing things every day! In a 2024 survey, only about half of people with R-CPD had told their GP. And 90% felt they hadn't had enough help (Chen 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
A UK specialist said in 2024 that many doctors don't know about R-CPD, or don't see it as a problem (King's Health Partners (opens in a new tab)). So it helps to go in prepared.
Before you go
Jot a few notes on your phone first. It really helps when you're put on the spot.
- What happens: can you burp at all? Any gurgling, bloating, chest pressure, wind or painful hiccups?
- How long: for example, "since I was a child, every day".
- What you've tried: reflux tablets, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) treatment, or tests like a thin camera down the throat (a gastroscopy).
- How it affects you: eating out, work, sleep, social life, mood.
Not burping, gurgling, bloating or chest pressure, and wind are the four key signs doctors look for (Bastian 2019 (opens in a new tab)).
What to say
Keep it simple. Something like:
"I've never been able to burp. I get gurgling, bloating, chest pressure and lots of wind. I think I might have R-CPD, now called inability to belch syndrome in Rome V. Could you refer me to an ENT specialist who treats it?"
Mentioning Rome V helps. Rome V is the official international checklist doctors already use for gut problems like IBS. Under Rome V, it means not being able to burp, and being bothered by it, at least three days a week. That's for three months, starting at least six months ago (Rome Foundation (opens in a new tab)).
The key evidence to take
It's real and fairly common. A 2026 Rome V survey of 28,771 adults in 15 countries found that 1.4% had symptoms that fit inability to belch syndrome (Sperber 2026, Results section (opens in a new tab)).
The treatment works. Of the first 200 patients given Botox, 99.5% could burp. And 79.9% still could six months after one injection (Hoesli 2020 (opens in a new tab)).
It works in the UK too. Of 72 UK patients treated under general anaesthetic, all could burp within four weeks. And 96% kept burping after the Botox wore off (Karagama 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
It's often missed. In a 2025 study, 64% were first told it was something else. Most often that was reflux (51%), anxiety or a "functional" gut problem (33%), or IBS (28%). Reflux means stomach acid coming back up. A "functional" problem means the gut isn't working right but nothing shows up on tests. 72% had already had at least one test, usually a gastroscopy. Only 7.5% got better on medicines (Cosentino 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
Asking for a referral
R-CPD is treated by ENT specialists. Some are laryngologists, which means ENT doctors who focus on the throat and voice box. A referral just means your GP asking a specialist to see you. In England, Right to Choose means you can pick which NHS funded hospital or clinic you're referred to (NHS: your choices (opens in a new tab)). Our free map shows ENT teams patients say treat R-CPD (Find a specialist: UK R-CPD doctors).
If your GP isn't sure, ask them to read the evidence and book a follow up appointment. Or ask another GP there for a second opinion.
If your local NHS doesn't usually pay for it, an ENT consultant (a senior hospital specialist) can ask them to. This is called an Individual Funding Request (NHS North West London (opens in a new tab)).
Signs to mention straight away
Some signs aren't R-CPD and need checking first. Tell your GP if food or drink sticks when you swallow. The same goes for losing weight without trying, or black poo (noburp.info (opens in a new tab)).
Tell them too if you're being sick a lot, or bringing up blood (noburp.info (opens in a new tab)).
Our free GP letter tool
It's ready! Answer a few quick questions about your symptoms and where you'd like to be referred, and our GP letter tool writes a clear letter for your GP. It includes the evidence, ready to print or email.
This is a free resource and not medical advice. Speak to your GP.
Sources
- Chen et al. 2024, Neurogastroenterol Motil (opens in a new tab)
- King's Health Partners, 14 Feb 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- Bastian and Smithson 2019, OTO Open (opens in a new tab)
- Rome Foundation, Rome V criteria (opens in a new tab)
- Sperber et al. 2026, Gut (free full text, see Results) (opens in a new tab)
- Hoesli et al. 2020, OTO Open (opens in a new tab)
- Karagama 2021, Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol (opens in a new tab)
- Cosentino et al. 2025, Toxins (opens in a new tab)
- NHS: your choices in the NHS (opens in a new tab)
- Find a specialist: UK R-CPD doctors
- NHS North West London: Individual Funding Requests (opens in a new tab)
- noburp.info: Is RCPD dangerous? (opens in a new tab)
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