Question: This would be a question for a gastro:

The past week or so, I have suffered excessive burping. No other symptoms other than one day I had a gnawing pain in my upper/right quadrant near my ribs.

Earlier this year I had gastritis/a minor ulcer, but it subsided on its own. I burped a lot with that too, but also had the horrible gnawing/cyclical pain that came when my stomach was empty. I dont have that now -- just a LOT of burping for no apparent reason. Diet hasnt changed.

I do have IBS, and a family history of Crohns (mother) and colorectal cancer (grandmother). Just want to make sure this couldnt be something more sinister since I do know one of the earliest symptoms of stomach cancer is excessive burping.

Thanks. Ive had gastritis before, but this time around my only symptom is burping -- no pain whatsoever. Ive also had acid reflux, but I dont seem to be having that right now (it usually irritates my throat when I do and makes me cough at night, but I am not experiencing any of that).

I will add -- at least once a day or once every few days, i will get a gnawing pain right beneath my sternum-- higher up too, like maybe 3 or 4 inches below where my collarbones meet. I dont mean "south" of my sternum, but actually beneath the surface of it. It is not at all heartburn -- I've had that many times. This pain is very acute and takes up about a one-inch diameter space. It almost is centered left a little bit, like where I imagine my heart would be. The pain will radiate for a few minutes and then stop. It almost feels like someone has a hot ice pick and is pressing it to the flesh under my sternum

Another possibility I wanted to ask about -- could i have a hiatal hernia? I have been working out a lot lately and, given that im out of shape, possibly strained too hard doing something. I read that can cause similar symptoms. .

Thank you! Unfortunately I think stress is the key issue -- I get married in less than 2 months and my job has simultaneously become a nightmare! I'll visit a doc and hopefully dont have anything serious going on before the wedding!