You’ve come to the right place.
You may haveR-CPD
Inability to belch or “burp”(Also known as Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction, or R-CPD for short) occurs when the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) loses its ability to relax in order to release the “bubble” of air.
What is R-CPD (Inability to burp, no-burp)?
People who cannot release air upwards are miserable. They can feel the “bubble” sitting at the mid to low neck with nowhere to go. Or they experience gurgling when air comes up the esophagus only to find that the way of escape is blocked by a non-relaxing sphincter.
It is as though the muscle of the esophagus continually churns and squeezes without success. Common symptoms include the inability to belch,gurgling noises,chest/abdominal pressure and bloating, and flatulence.
Play Video about Can't burp
The Top 4 Symptoms of R-CPD
Inability to burp
This is almost always, but not exclusively “lifelong,” often excluding infancy, since many with R-CPD did burp as infants. Most no-burpers can’t remember being conventionally able to burp and can also point to a time when they became aware of this as a “problem” or “difference from others” in childhood or teen years.
Some with R-CPD do burp occasionally but they are micro, random, not harnessable, and they don’t provide relief of the following symptoms.
Socially awkward gurgling noises
These noises can be mostly quiet and “internal,” but more often are loud enough to be embarrassing. Mouth opening makes them louder. Almost everyone says they are easily heard several feet away; not infrequently “all the way to the door.”
They engender social anxiety in most persons with R-CPD, causing some to avoid eating or drinking for hours before social occasions and even during them. Carbonation makes them much worse and is to be avoided at all costs. Some more colorful patient descriptions:
- Symphony of gurgles
- Croaking frogs
- Creaking floorboards
- Dinosaur sounds
- Strangled whale
- The Exorcist
Audio examples of gurgling
Bloating & Pressure
Most common location is high central abdomen. Distention is common, especially later in the day. Using pregnancy as an analogy even in men, the usual degree of distention is described as “3 or 4 months.” “Six months” is not rare, and one slender young man was “full term.”
Almost as often as abdominal distress, patients describe chest pressure, and for some that is the worst symptom. Some have pressure in the low neck. While “pressure” is the frequent descriptor, some experience occasional sharp pain in abdomen, back, or between shoulder blades. Some have to lie down after eating to find some relief.
Flatulence
Routinely, this is described as “major,” or even “ridiculous.” Flatulence increases as the day progresses, and many experience it into the night. When around others, some scan their surroundings at all times for a place they can go briefly to pass gas. Understandably, the social ramifications of this problem can also be major.
Play Video
Less Common Symptoms of R-CPD
Play Video about Nausea, a doorway to R-CPD?
Nausea
especially after eating larger than normal amounts or drinking carbonated beverages.
Throat Nausea?(YouTube short)
Hypersalivation
when symptoms of bloating are major.
Painful Hiccups
again, more commonly after eating.
Anxiety & social inhibition
This can be MAJOR due to gurgling, flatulence, and discomfort.
Shortness of breath
A person can be so full of air that athletics—or even the ability to climb stairs—are impaired.
Constipation
(Still under evaluation): Flatulence can’t always be responded to, and the result is descending colon appears to dilate, making stretched muscles in its wall less effective in moving colon contents along.
📖 Read more…
Play Video
Inability to Vomit
A few simply cannot vomit; more often it is possible but only after strenuous retching. Vomiting (spontaneous or self-induced) always begins with a very loud noise and major release of air in a phenomenon we call “air vomiting.” Emetophobia can be major.
What Causes R-CPD?
Inability to burp or belch occurs when the upper esophageal sphincter (cricopharyngeus muscle) cannot relax in order to release the“bubble” of air. The sphincter is a muscular valve that encircles the upper end of the esophagus just below the lower end of the throat passage. If looking from the front at a person’s neck, it is just below the “Adam’s / Eve’s apple,” directly behind the cricoid cartilage.
If you care to see this on a model, look at the photos below. That sphincter muscle relaxes for about a second every time we swallow saliva, food, or drink. All of the rest of the time it is contracted. Whenever a person belches, the same sphincter needs to let go for a split second in order for the excess air to escape upwards.
In other words, just as it is necessary that the sphincter “let go” to admit food and drink downwards in the normal act swallowing, it is also necessary that the sphincter be able to “let go” to release air upwards for belching.
Cricopharyngeus Muscle (1 of 3)
The highlighted oval represents the location of the cricopharyngeus muscle.
Open Cricopharyngeus Muscle (2 of 3)
The cricopharyngeus muscle in the open position.
Closed (3 of 3)
The cricopharyngeus muscle in the contracted position.
Treatment for R-CPD
Botox Injection at Bastian Voice Institute
For people who experience this problem to the point of discomfort and reduced quality of life, here is one approach:
First, a videofluoroscopic swallow study, perhaps with effervescent granules. This establishes that the sphincter works normally in a forward (antegrade) swallowing direction, but not in a reverse (retrograde) burping or regurgitating fashion. Along with the symptoms described above, this establishes the diagnosis of retrograde-only cricopharyngeus dysfunction (non-relaxation).
Second, a treatment trial involving placement of Botox into the malfunctioning sphincter muscle. The desired effect of Botox in muscle is to weaken it for at least several months. The person thus has many weeks to verify that the problem is solved or at least minimized. (See video, What Tests are Necessary for R-CPD?)
The Botox injection could potentially be done in an office setting, but we recommend the first time (at least) placing it during a very brief general anesthetic in an outpatient operating room. That’s because the first time, it is important to answer the question definitively, that is, that the sphincter’s inability to relax when presented with a bubble of air from below, is the problem.
Lifting the CPM for a R-CPD Injection
These are intra-operative photos of one of nearly 1500 persons treated for R-CPD as of September 2023. This sequence shows several things:
- The dilated, “always open” esophagus distal (below) the muscle
- How to identify the cricopharyngeus muscle
- One way of injecting the muscle.
Above the CPM (1 of 5)
The view here is just inside the uppermost part of the esophagus, immediately behind the larynx. The target muscle is not yet seen, but the dilation of the esophagus is notable in this young, muscular male.
Ridge of the CPM (2 of 5)
The larynx is gently lifted forward, and the “ridge” of the muscle begins to be seen.
Exposed CPM ( 3 of 5)
With further lifting, the muscle becomes obvious and is ready for injection.
CPM Palpated ( 4 of 5)
If desired, the muscle can be palpated—here with the side of a suction cannula—to determine compressibility and “size.”
Botox injection ( 5 of 5)
A 25-gauge butterfly has had one “wing” cut off completely, and the other wing cut to leave only a nubbin for grasping with a straight alligator forceps. Seen here is injection of one of three or four sites, chosen to distribute the botox throughout the entire muscle.
What to Expect Post Botox Procedure?
Review Dr. Bastian’s published Journal entry for a complete explanation, but in a nutshell:
- There will be no relief of R-CPD symptoms for 1—5 days.
- Only when micro-burps begin do patients start to notice the beginning of symptom relief. So do not try carbonation for lunch on the day of the injection!
- Initial Botox side effects can be “weird” for a few days to weeks.
- If you can manipulate your gurgles prior to Botox treatment, to make them softer or louder, use that technique to see if you can hurry burps along or make them bigger.
For a few months at least, patients should experience dramatic relief of their symptoms. And, early experience suggests that it may be that this single Botox injection allows the system to “reset” and the person may never lose his or her ability to belch. Of course, if the problem returns, the individual could elect to pursue additional Botox treatments, or in a truly severe case, might even elect to undergo endoscopic laser cricopharyngeus myotomy.
How long does it take to burp after the procedure?
As little as 24 hours (occasionally less), often on the second or third day. But we see some beginning to burp only after several days.
I think my 8 year old has R-CPD. Can she get the botox injection?
Of course, everything depends upon confirmation of diagnosis, by a personal physician, age eight is a very good time to identify and resolve this.
In fact, the hope is that more people are diagnosed early so that they don’t have to suffer through high school, into adulthood, etc. An 8-year-old has a very high likelihood of a “once and done” result (expectation is 80% chance…)
I’ve had two injections without success. Should I have a Cricopharyngeal Myotomy?
In our patients, we consider myotomy after a minimum of 2 extremely effective Botox injections (very good burping, relief of symptoms followed by return of the R-CPD symptoms). Sometimes a change of dose or targeting is the answer. “It isn’t what is in the syringe, but what makes it into the muscle…” I’d even prefer 3 “perfect” injections in patients younger than 30 years old.
Is it possible to have Barrett’s esophagus and R-CPD at the same time?
It is theoretically possible to have any other GI condition alongside R-CPD. We have found that most GI symptoms end up being related to R-CPD, and maybe first among the associations might be acid reflux.
This is common in our R-CPD population, likely due to the constant upward pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, causing it to weaken over time. And since chronic acid reflux may be a potentiator of Barrett’s esophagus findings, it could be that treating R-CPD and reducing the acid reflux that results might over time heal the Barrett’s findings…We have not proven this, however.
Is acid reflux (GERD) a symptom of R-CPD?
GERD is very common, because of years of high pressure endured by the lower esophageal sphincter. Often people with R-CPD get told the primary diagnosis is acid reflux, when acid reflux is only one of the symptoms of R-CPD.
Keep in mind that symptoms of R-CPD are “all” GI, rather than at the cricopharyngeus muscle itself. So if gurgling, bloating, hiccups, are present even with ability to burp, consider the idea of not inability, but ‘insufficiency’ of burping where air out (via burping) is less than air in.
Where do Our R-CPD Patients Come From?
NO-BURPERS turned burpers!
Photo Essays from our R-CPD Patients
R-CPD, Aerophagia and Burping
This lateral x-ray of the neck is part of a swallow study, and illustrates how air can accumulate and need to be burped up. The focus of this post is the esophagus, or “foodway,” that connects the lower part of the throat to the stomach. The esophagus is a muscular tube that remains mostly collapsed—closed—except when food, liquid, or saliva traverses it.
X-Ray of Larynx (1 of 6)
This is a view during quiet breathing (no swallowing in progress.) E overlies the esophagus, which is collapsed / closed in this pre-swallow view. T identifies the trachea which always contains an “air column.” It is “guarded” by the vocal cords which close tightly during each swallow. In this view, the vocal cords and entrance to the trachea are open. The upper esophageal sphincter which is virtually identical to the cricopharyngeus muscle, is in its contracted “rest” (non-swallowing) state, approximately at the circle.
Barium swallow (2 of 6)
In this view, the individual is swallowing barium paste. Barium is used because it is inert (not absorbed by the GI tract), and radiopaque (so it is visible on an x-ray). This swallow of barium is beginning its descent like a long dark sausage, opening the otherwise collapsed esophagus to permit passage. The cricopharyngeus muscle has opened approximately at the circle. One can tell that this is not the first swallow, because a thin dark line is visible near the bottom of the xray (arrow) where barium has passed previously and left a trace inside the esophagus’ collapsed walls.
Collapsed esophagus (3 of 6)
Here the slender tail of a swallow of barium is disappearing into the mid-esophagus below. The esophageal walls have collapsed back together. The airway has reopened. There is a trace of barium in the vallecula or “little valley” between base of tongue and epiglottis.
Air is swallowed (4 of 6)
Here, this person is swallowing thinner (less dense) barium material. The entrance to the larynx (and trachea) are being guarded by closed vocal cords (vc). Note that there is some air within the stream of barium at the arrows. If a little bit of air accompanies each swallow, and that air accumulates to a sufficient amount, it will need to be burped up.
UES refuses to open for a burp (5 of 6)
In this view, air that has been swallowed in “bits and pieces” (see prior image) has coalesced into an “air sausage” that wants to move upwards and be released as a “burp.’ If the cricopharyngeus muscle refuses to “let go,” then the air continues to build up, making the “air sausage” in the esophagus wider and longer like a progressively-inflated balloon. Some air will be kept in the stomach by the over-accumulated, trapped esophageal “air sausage,” eventually stretching the stomach too. And when sufficient air accumulates in the stomach, it begins to pass into the small intestines and then colon, eventually (finally…) emerging as flatulence.
Abdominal Distention from R-CPD (6 of 6)
Here in an anterior view of the abdomen and chest, you see the result if that esophageal “sausage of air” cannot be released via burping and if the person continues to swallow air reflexively due to discomfort, pumping themselves ever more full of air. The stomach is dramatically dilated. And you can see a lot of air in the transverse (T) and descending colon (D), which must now be released as flatulence.
Abdominal Distention of R-CPD
Gastric Air Bubble (1 of 3)
This abdominal xray of an individual with R-CPD shows a remarkably large gastric air bubble (dotted line), and also excessive air in transverse (T) and descending (D) colon. All of this extra air can cause abdominal distention that increases as the day progresses.
Bloated Abdomen (2 of 3)
Flatulence in the evening and even into the night returns the abdomen to normal, but the cycle repeats the next day. To ask patients their degree of abdominal distention, we use pregnancy as an analogy in both men and women. Not everyone describes this problem. Most, however, say that late in the day they appear to be “at least 3 months pregnant.” Some say “6 months” or even “full term.” In a different patient with untreated R-CPD, here is what her abdomen looked like late in every day. Her abdomen bulges due to all of the air in her GI tract, just as shown in Photo 1.
Non-bloated Abdomen (3 of 3)
The same patient, a few weeks after Botox injection. She is now able to burp. Bloating and flatulence are remarkably diminished, and her abdomen no longer balloons towards the end of every day.
Abdominal Distention Caused by R-CPD
Bloating and abdominal distention before botox injection for inability to burp (1 of 2)
Late-day abdominal distension caused by inability to burp. The discomfort of R-CPD may cause hypersalivation and extra reflexive swallowing, which only adds to the air in his GI tract. He is athletic; the distension represents air in stomach and intestines that could not be burped—not excess weight.
Resolved, one month after botox, with burping restored (2 of 2)
Within the first month after botulinum toxin injection, he no longer feels bloated and his stomach does not distend at the end of the day. Body weight is the same in both photos.
Can’t Burp: Progression of Bloating and Abdominal Distention – a Daily Cycle for Many with R-CPD
This young woman has classic R-CPD symptoms—the can’t burp syndrome. Early in the day, her symptoms are least, and abdomen at “baseline” because she has “deflated” via flatulence through the night.
In this series you see the difference in her abdominal distention between early and late in the day. The x-ray images show the remarkable amount of air retained that explains her bloating and distention. Her progression is quite typical; some with R-CPD distend even more than shown here especially after eating a large meal or consuming anything carbonated.
Side view of a bloated abdomen (1 of 6)
Early in the day, side view of the abdomen shows mild distention. The patient’s discomfort is minimal at this time of day as compared with later.
Front view (2 of 6)
Also early in the day, a front view, showing again mild distention.
Greater Distention (3 of 6)
Late in the same day, another side view to compare with photo 1. Accumulation of air in stomach and intestines is distending the abdominal wall.
Front view of bloating stomach (4 of 6)
Also late in the day, the front view to compare with photo 2, showing considerably more distention. The patient is quite uncomfortable, bloated, and feels ready to “pop.” Flatulence becomes more intense this time of day, and will continue through the night.
X-ray of trapped air (5 of 6)
Antero-posterior xray of the chest shows a very large stomach air bubble (at *) and the descending colon is filled with air (arrow).
Side view (6 of 6)
A lateral view chest xray shows again the large amount of excess air in the stomach and intestines that the patient must rid herself of via flatulence, typically including through the night, in order to begin the cycle again the next day.
The Daily Inflation-Deflation Cycle for R-CPD
Deflated Abdomen (1 of 4)
Lateral (side) view of abdomen of a person with R-CPD in the morning, before eating or drinking anything. Flatulence late evening and through the night has “deflated” the abdomen.
Bloated lateral view (2 of 4)
Side view of the same person, in the afternoon: bloating and abdominal distention by air has occurred. Compare with photo 1.
Deflated abdomen (3 of 4)
Frontal view again in the morning with abdomen “deflated.”
R-CPD distention (4 of 4)
Frontal view in the afternoon, showing distention by air. Compare with photo 2.
A Rare “abdominal crisis” Due to R-CPD (inability to burp)
This young man had an abdominal crisis related to R-CPD. He has had lifelong symptoms of classic R-CPD: inability to burp, gurgling, bloating, and flatulence. During a time of particular discomfort, he unfortunately took a “remedy” that was carbonated.
Here you see a massive stomach air bubble. A lot of his intestines are air-filled and pressed up and to his right (left of photo, at arrow). The internal pressure within his abdomen also shut off his ability to pass gas.
X-Ray of Abdominal Bloating (1 of 2)
Note arrow pointing to lack of gas in the descending colon/rectum. NG decompression of his stomach allowed him to resume passing gas, returning him to his baseline “daily misery” of R-CPD.
Original X-Ray (2 of 2)
X-Ray without markings
Play Video about R-CPD in X-ray Pictures: Misery vs. Crisis from Inability to Burp
Shortness of Breath Caused by No-Burp
Persons who can’t burp and have the full-blown R-CPD syndrome often say that when the bloating and distention are particularly bad—and especially when they have a sense of chest pressure, they also have a feeling of shortness of breath.
They’ll say, for example, “I’m a [singer, or runner, or cyclist or _____], but my ability is so diminished by R-CPD. If I’m competing or performing I can’t eat or drink for 6 hours beforehand.” Some even say that they can’t complete a yawn when symptoms are particularly bad. The x-rays below explain how inability to burp can cause shortness of breath.
X-ray of trapped air (1 of 2)
Antero-posterior xray of the chest shows a very large stomach air bubble (at *) and the descending colon is filled with air (arrow).
Side view (2 of 2)
A lateral view chest xray shows again the large amount of excess air in the stomach and intestines that the patient must rid herself of via flatulence, typically including through the night, in order to begin the cycle again the next day.
Esophageal Findings
Aortic shelf (1 of 3)
A view of the mid-esophagus in a young person (early 30’s). The esophagus is kept open by the patient’s un-burped air. Note the “aortic shelf” at A, delineated by dotted lines.
Bony spur emerges due to stretched esophagus (2 of 3)
A moment later, additional air is pushed upwards from the stomach to dilate the mid-esophagus even more. A bony “spur” in the spine is thrown into high relief by the stretched esophagus.
Stretched esophagus due to unburpable air (3 of 3)
A view of the upper esophagus (from just below the cricopharyngeus muscle sphincter) shows what appears to be remarkable lateral dilation (arrows) caused over time by the patient’s unburpable air. Dilation can only occur laterally due to confinement of the esophagus by trachea (anteriorly) and spine (posteriorly), as marked.
Dramatic esophageal dilation from R-CPD, even in a young person!
The central problem for persons with R-CPD is (obviously) the inability to burp. Bits of air travel through the upper esophageal sphincter (cricopharyngeus muscle) which closes behind each swallow.
Even as the air builds up, expanding the esophagus and sending increasing signals of the need to burp, the air is unable to “get back out” via burping. Initial discomfort from stuck burps-in-waiting may elicit reflexive “extra” swallows that only add more air that cannot be burped.
Gradually this dilates the esophagus (and eventually the stomach, and as air traverses the GI tract, the intestines all the way to the rectum, where it must be released as flatulence). Even in young people, esophageal dilation can be dramatic, causing chest discomfort.
The images below are from the office examination of a teenager sitting in the examination chair with a small ENT scope in his esophagus. The column of air he cannot burp up is holding the esophagus widely open. No air has been insufflated through the scope. The stretched esophagus throws structures outside it into high relief as seen below.
Stretched esophagus (1 of 3)
In this view, the lower third of the esophagus is in the “always open” position seen routinely in R-CPD, due to his unburped column of air. His heartbeat can be seen from its posterior wall (H). Unusually well seen is the ridged vertebral column (VC).
Mid-esophagus (2 of 3)
In the mid-esophagus, at the lower end of the trachea (T), the segmented left mainstem bronchus (B) turns laterally to pass under the Aorta (Ao).
Stretching esophagus (3 of 3)
Again at the lower trachea, but with the view rotated to the patient’s left, note that since the trachea (T) is not compressible, the esophagus tries to stretch around it, bringing even the side of the trachea into view.
Esophageal Stretching by Unburpable Air in R-CPD
This young man has had the classic syndrome of R-CPD lifelong. His esophageal findings at the end of a videoendoscopic swallow study are classic. The esophagus is mostly a collapsed muscular tube in young people, yet his esophagus is widely open on a continuous basis due swallowed air that he cannot burp up.
Typical view of an esophagus (1 of 4)
Typical view of the esophagus using an ENT scope without insufflated air. Esophageal walls are collapsed and therefore too close to the lens of the scope to allow visualization of the esophageal wall.
Lower esophagus (2 of 4)
Using ENT (not GI) scope in this young man with R-CPD to view the lower esophagus, which is continuously “open” due to un-burped air. H = heart; Ao = aorta. Blue water previously administered, moves up and down between stomach and lower esophagus due to lower esophageal sphincter incompetence from years of bloating.
Stretched mid-esophagus (3 of 4)
A view in the mid esophagus: Ao = aorta; S = spine; T = trachea. The esophagus remains open continuously due to unburped air. Insufflated air is routinely not necessary in persons with R-CPD.
Esophagus stretches laterally (4 of 4)
At a moment of upward surge of air that cannot escape the upper esophageal sphincter as a burp, the esophagus stretches laterally, almost trying to get around (arrows) the non-compressible trachea (T), accentuating the “tracheal mound.” Note as well the widened lumen as compared with photo 3.
More Interesting Esophageal Findings of R-CPD (Inability to Burp)
Stretched Esophagus (1 of 4)
Using a 3.7mm ENT scope with no insufflated air, note the marked dilation of the esophagus by swallowed air the patient is unable to belch. T = trachea; A = aortic shelf; S = spine
Tracheal Wall (2 of 4)
The posterior wall of the trachea (T) is better seen here from a little higher in the esophagus. A = aorta
Over-dilation (3 of 4)
The photo is rotated clockwise at a moment when air from below is pushed upward so as to transiently over-dilate the esophagus. Note that the esophagus is almost stretching around the left side of the trachea in the direction of the arrow.
Bronchus (4 of 4)
Now deeper in the esophagus (with it inflated throughout the entire examination by the patient’s own air), it even appears that the left mainstem bronchus (B) is made visible by esophageal dilation stretching around it.
R-CPD and Esophageal Dilation
Posterior pharyngeal wall (1 of 3)
Here, in the panoramic view of the “bottom of the throat,” between posterior pharyngeal wall (marked PPW) and arytenoid eminences (A). The airway is indicated by the short arrow, and the dotted line shows the waiting “entrance” to the upper esophagus just above the CPM. The “entrance” opens for a second to permit passage of food or liquid through the sphincter and into the upper esophagus. The * is for reference with photo 2.
Is it R-CPD? (2 of 3)
At the entrance to the esophagus, at closer range. Notice that the mucosa is redundant, a common but not universal finding in R-CPD.
Stretched esophagus indicates R-CPD (3 of 3)
Now the view is within the upper esophagus. It almost appears that the lumen is dilated, especially in a lateral direction (arrows). Purely speculatively, one wonders if constant forcing of air upwards again a barrier ( the non-relaxing cricopharynxgeus muscle, aka upper esophageal sphincter), dilates the esophagus over time. Certainly, many with R-CPD experience not only gurgling, but also chest pressure and even pain that may be from “stretching” of the esophagus.
What the Esophagus Can Look Like “Below A Burp”
Baseline (1 of 3)
Mid-esophagus of a person with R-CPD who is now burping well after Botox injection into the cricopharyngeus muscle many months earlier. The esophagus remains somewhat open likely due to esophageal stretching from the years of being unable to burp and also a “coming burp.”
Pre-burp (2 of 3)
A split-second before a successful burp the esophagus dilates abruptly from baseline (photo 1) as the excess air briefly enlarges the esophagus. An audible burp occurs at this point.
Post-burp (3 of 3)
The burp having just happened, the esophagus collapses to partially closed as the air that was “inflating it” has been released.
Click on a heading above to expand.
Videos about R-CPD
Play Video about My baby can’t burp YT Thumbnail
My Baby Can’t Burp! This May Explain Why
“My baby can’t burp!” “He/she cries with colic, sometimes for a long time.” “So much spitting up and even projectile vomiting!” “I’ve never seen such a gassy baby!” Babies and older children with this condition are in misery, and so are their parents, with the stress of it all. The answer might be R-CPD.
When such babies grow older, those with severe cases of R-CPD may refuse to eat, and may continue to complain of stomach distress. In this video, Dr. Robert Bastian explains this “new” diagnosis that can cause all of these symptoms. Parents who are exhausted and depressed may find here a glimmer of hope.
Play Video about R-CPD GI Symptoms YouTube thumbnail
What is the Relationship between R-CPD and GERD? SIBO? IBS?
Often, and almost routinely, persons with easily-diagnosed R-CPD may initially be diagnosed instead as “gastroesophageal reflux disease” (GERD), or “irritable bowel syndrome,” (IBS) or “small intestine bacterial overgrowth” (SIBO).
Do GERD, IBS, and SIBO symptoms and findings point to coexisting and separate diagnoses, or are those symptoms part of the larger, umbrella diagnosis of R-CPD? Dr. Bastian discusses these questions in this video.
Play Video about How to burp YouTube Thumbnail
How to Keep the Ability to Burp After Botox Treatment for R-CPD
R-CPD can thankfully be treated successfully with a simple outpatient injection of Botox into a muscle in the upper esophagus. Since the Botox effect on the muscle serves as “training wheels” for burping, about 4 out of 5 people are “cured” by a single treatment. That’s why we aim for “once and done” treatment.
Dr. Bastian describes here how to maximize the likelihood that the ability to burp will continue after Botox has worn off.
Play Video
Complications Compared to Expected Effects in Treatment of R-CPD
In this video, Dr. Bastian distinguishes the difference between early EFFECTS that are expected, and COMPLICATIONS patients have experienced in a caseload of approximately 870 people. This informal discussion will likely reassure persons considering this treatment for the severe daily misery caused by R-CPD.
Play Video
What Is the Best Botox Dose for R-CPD? 100 units? 50? 200?
Newly diagnosed R-CPD patients often ask: “What is the best dose for the initial injection of Botox?” Dr. Bastian provides an answer that includes context and nuance from his group’s experience with over 1200 patients injected to date.
Play Video
Do Shaker Exercises Work in Treating R-CPD?
In this video, Dr. Bastian explains his thinking about “Shaker Exercises” as a means of learning to burp in persons with R-CPD (no-burp). A recent Reddit thread was created in response to his July 2022 Webinar comments on this subject, and it appeared to him that he had not conveyed his thinking clearly enough. Here is his more detailed and nuanced discussion…
Play Video
R-CPD Webinar
A live R-CPD (no-burp) Webinar hosted by Dr. Bastian on July 26, 2022 at 6 p.m. CST
Play Video
Q&A—Part I
Dr. Bastian answers a list of questions submitted by our R-CPD Webinar attendees.
Play Video
Q&A—Part II
In Part 2 of the R-CPD Q&A, Dr. Bastian answers more questions submitted by our webinar attendees.
Play Video
R-CPD Panel
A panel of expert discussion on R-CPD (aka “No-Burp Syndrome”) featuring questions and answers from leaders in the field.
Play Video
Your Common Questions about R-CPD
Dr. Bastian responds to a list of questions submitted through YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Play Video about YouTube thumbnail for Surprises for no-burpers
What Surprises No-burpers about People who Can Burp
Here are a few things that surprise people who can’t burp, about people who can! (This is especially for those with R-CPD aka no-burp).
Play Video about R-CPD workup YouTube thumbnail
RCPD Workup – Do You Need Testing for a Diagnosis?
What is necessary to diagnose R-CPD? What is sufficient? Do we need to spend thousands of dollars for x-rays, manometry, upper GI scopes, gastric emptying studies?
Play Video about When botox doesn’t work YouTube thumbnail
What if Botox Doesn’t Work for My R-CPD? | High Quality Injections
Rarely, treatment of R-CPD (no-burp) with botox fails to initiate burping. Why might that be? Is the diagnosis wrong? Was the dose of botox Inadequate? Was the target missed? Dr. Bastian explores these possibilities in this video.
Dr. Bastian’s Published R-CPD Articles
1
Dr. Bastian’s Initial Article about R-CPD
Inability to Belch and Associated Symptoms Due to Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment
March 15, 2019
2
Partial Cricopharyngeal Myotomy for Treatment of Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction
April 16, 2020
3
The Long-term Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Injection to Treat Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction
June 29, 2020
4
Efficacy and Safety of Electromyography-Guided Injection of Botulinum Toxin to Treat Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction
February 2, 2021
Additional R-CPD Resources
Community Created Content
No-Burp: It's not just you
(26,000+ no-burpers)
Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction (R-CPD)
[2,200+ members]
I can now burp
@Lilamycox
My weird medical history
@Brittcurls
My R-CPD journey
Julie Anne Gay
See more entries about R-CPD
Diagnosis
R-CPD Esophageal Findings
Read full entry »
Disorders
What to Expect After Botox Injection for R-CPD
Read full entry »
Diagnosis
What your Insurance Company might ask about R-CPD (Inability to Burp, No-Burp)
Read full entry »
Share this article
Table of Contents
Tagged DisordersEducationPhotosR-CPDSphincter muscleSwallowing DisordersVideos
Subscribe
Login
63 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
