No Burp Syndrome
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No Burp Syndrome – medically known as Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction (R-CPD) – is a treatable condition that can have a big effect on your quality of life. At LivingCare, we provide fast access to expert diagnosis and efficient treatment across our locations in Sheffield and Leeds, helping you find relief without undue delays.
No Burp Syndrome, or R-CPD, is a condition where a muscle at the top of the oesophagus – the cricopharyngeus muscle – does not relax properly. This prevents gas from escaping from the stomach, so you can't burp.
Although it is a genuine medical condition, R-CPD is often underrecognised. Many people are misdiagnosed with digestive issues like acid reflux or irritable bowel syndrome. This can lead to years of ineffective investigations and ongoing discomfort.
The condition isn’t caused by your diet or lifestyle. It is thought to have a neurological basis, in which the muscle fails to respond correctly to pressure from trapped gas.
The most effective treatment for R-CPD is an injection of Botulinum Toxin A (Botox) into the cricopharyngeus muscle.
This works by temporarily relaxing the muscle, allowing it to open in response to gas pressure as it should. For many patients, this breaks the cycle and restores normal burping.
The procedure is performed under a short general anaesthetic as a day-case treatment, meaning you can return home the same day.
Treatment is designed to relieve the symptoms caused by trapped gas in the digestive system.
Typical symptoms include:
If you experience a combination of these symptoms, particularly the inability to burp, treatment may provide significant relief.
Before Your Appointment
You will attend a consultation to review your symptoms and medical history. A flexible nasoendoscopy – a thin camera passed through the nose – examines your throat and rules out other causes.
If R-CPD is suspected, we’ll plan your treatment. That includes asking you to fast before the procedure, and reminding you to arrange your transport home for afterwards.
During Your Appointment
The procedure is carried out under a short general anaesthetic so that you will be asleep throughout.
A small tube is passed through the mouth to the top of the oesophagus. The cricopharyngeus muscle is identified, and Botulinum Toxin A is injected directly into it to relax the muscle.
The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes.
After Your Appointment
After a short recovery period, you will usually be able to go home the same day.
You should rest for the remainder of the day. Most patients notice improvement within a few days, with normal burping often returning over the next 1 to 2 weeks.
This is a well-established and safe procedure, though some temporary side effects can occur:
Serious complications are rare. Your care team will discuss all risks with you before treatment.
Recovery is usually straightforward. Most patients return to normal activities the next day.
You may benefit from a softer diet for a short time if swallowing feels slightly different. Any temporary symptoms typically resolve within a few days to a few weeks.
Follow-up will be arranged if needed to assess your progress.
Treatment outcomes are typically very positive. Botulinum Toxin injection is considered the standard treatment for R-CPD, with success rates of around 80-90 per cent.
For some patients, the effect lasts several months and may need to be repeated. For others, the temporary muscle relaxation allows the body to relearn the burping reflex, bringing about long-term resolution after a single treatment.
For patients who require repeated injections or whose symptoms do not respond adequately, a more permanent surgical option called cricopharyngeal myotomy may be discussed. This procedure involves making a partial cut in the cricopharyngeus muscle to relieve the restriction.
Access to the right expertise is essential for this condition. At LivingCare, we focus on precise diagnosis and efficient treatment without needless delays.
At LivingCare, our service is led by Mr Omar Mulla, a highly specialised surgeon who is one of only a handful of doctors in the UK with the specific training and expertise required to successfully treat No Burp Syndrome.
No Burp Syndrome is frustrating and isolating for patients. Our team is always here to help you at every stage of your treatment journey.
The LivingCare Group
Mr Omar Mulla
Consultant Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon
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You can self-pay for treatment at LivingCare or use your medical insurance. Click here to learn more.
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Speak to our teamYou can receive this treatment at any one of the locations below.
Your healthcare journey in 4 easy steps
Get in Touch
Call us on Leeds 0113 2494655 or Sheffield 0114 7005811 or use our online booking form to send your enquiry. Let us know your preferred appointment type, either virtual or face to face, and we will work to find a time that suits you.
We Arrange Your Appointment
If you filled out our online booking form, one of our team will contact you within 2 hours with available appointment options. Once your appointment is booked, you will receive an email confirmation with all the details you need.
Attend Your Appointment
Attend your appointment at your chosen time, either virtually or in person, with one of our highly qualified consultants. If your appointment requires a written report, this will be prepared and sent to you within 48 hours.
Aftercare and Follow-Up
If you need any further tests, treatment or follow-up, we will help arrange these for you. If you require a copy of your report or images, please let us know and we will send these promptly.
Your healthcare journey in 4 easy steps
Get in Touch
Call us on Leeds 0113 2494655 or Sheffield 0114 7005811 or use our online booking form to send your enquiry and we will work to find a time that suits you
We Arrange Your Appointment
If you filled out our online booking form, one of our team will contact you within 2 hours with available appointment options. Once your appointment is booked, you will receive an email confirmation with all the details you need.
Attend Your Appointment
Attend your appointment at your chosen time with highly qualified clinicians. If your appointment requires a written report, this will be prepared and sent to you within 48 hours with the option to upgrade to 24 hours.
Aftercare and Follow-Up
If you need any further tests, treatment or follow-up, we will help arrange these for you. If you require a copy of your report or images, please let us know and we will send these promptly.
You can receive this treatment from one of the consultants listed below.
Explore the various options available for this treatment.
With our self-pay service, there are no waiting lists - consultations are offered within 24 hours, with treatment within a week. All costs, including tests or scans, are quoted upfront with no obligation to proceed. Visit our Prices page for full details.
If using medical insurance, contact your provider to confirm coverage for all treatment stages before your first appointment. You’ll need a referral letter from your GP for a private procedure at The LivingCare Group. Once you have it, either you or your GP can book your first appointment with us.
