Gemma Renwick treats rare non-burping syndrome after 43 years

Gemma Renwick, a British woman from Eastleigh, Hampshire, has successfully burped for the first time in 43 years after being diagnosed with a rare condition known as retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD), or “non-burping syndrome.”

For decades, Renwick suffered from intense bloating, abdominal pain, and chest discomfort caused by trapped air. The condition prevented the cricopharyngeal muscle at the top of the esophagus from relaxing, which is necessary to allow gas to escape through the mouth. Instead, the trapped air caused involuntary throat noises that were frequently compared to the sound of a frog croaking.

Renwick reported that the symptoms caused significant social embarrassment and physical distress, sometimes forcing her to leave professional meetings or social events early. After years of being misdiagnosed with issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, she received treatment using botulinum toxin, which allowed her to finally relieve the pressure through burping.