R-CPD: better understand, better support
R-CPD: better understand, better support
Clinical nutritionist & patient myself, I bridge the gap between research, practice, and experience.
On this platform, you will find...
Continuing education
A training dedicated to health professionals to better recognize and manage R-CPD.
Continuing education
A training dedicated to health professionals to better recognize and manage R-CPD.
Information
Reliable and simplified information on this still little-known disorder.
Information
Reliable and simplified information on this still little-known disorder.
Quiz
A self-assessment quiz for people who wonder if they might be affected.
Quiz
A self-assessment quiz for people who wonder if they might be affected.
Directory
A directory of clinicians in Quebec offering treatment (Canada coming soon).
Directory
A directory of clinicians in Quebec offering treatment (Canada coming soon).
Resources
Links to active support groups (Facebook, Reddit).
Resources
Links to active support groups (Facebook, Reddit).
Scientific article
My scientific article published in the Nutrition Review (ODNQ, fall 2025), including a list of references.
Scientific article
My scientific article published in the Nutrition Review (ODNQ, fall 2025), including a list of references.
Continuing education
A training dedicated to health professionals to better recognize and manage R-CPD.
Information
Reliable and simplified information on this still little-known disorder.
Quiz
A self-assessment quiz for people who wonder if they might be affected.
Directory
A directory of clinicians in Quebec offering treatment (Canada coming soon).
Resources
Links to active support groups (Facebook, Reddit).
Scientific article
My scientific article published in the Nutrition Review (ODNQ, fall 2025), including a list of references.
What is R-CPD?
The retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD) is an unknown (but very common!) disorder that prevents normal belching.
The retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (R-CPD) is an unknown (but very common!) disorder that prevents normal belching.
✓ The R-CPD is caused by a dysfunction of the cricopharyngeal muscle, which is the main component of the upper esophageal sphincter located between the throat and the esophagus.
✓ Normally, this sphincter automatically relaxes during swallowing and when gas rises, allowing for burping.
✓ In people with R-CPD, this relaxation reflex is deficient: the muscle remains contracted, blocking the gas that accumulates in the stomach before being redirected to the intestine.
✓ This condition generates intense symptoms that significantly affect quality of life, with important psychosocial repercussions often underestimated by those around and healthcare professionals.
✓ The R-CPD is caused by a dysfunction of the cricopharyngeal muscle, the main component of the upper esophageal sphincter located between the throat and the esophagus.
✓ Normally, this sphincter relaxes automatically during swallowing and when gas refluxes, allowing for burping.
✓ In people with R-CPD, this relaxation reflex is defective: the muscle remains contracted, blocking the gas that then accumulates in the stomach before being redirected to the intestine.
✓ This condition generates intense symptoms that significantly affect quality of life, with important psychosocial repercussions often underestimated by family and healthcare professionals.
🚫
Inability to burp
Never or almost never burped.
🎈
Bloating
Pressure in the belly and chest
🐸
Pharyngeal gurgling
Characteristic noises in the throat
💨
Excessive flatulence
The gases are redirected to the intestine
🚫
Inability to burp
Never or almost never burped.
🎈
Bloating
Pressure in the belly and chest
🐸
Pharyngeal gurgling
Characteristic noises in the throat
💨
Excessive flatulence
The gases are redirected to the intestine
Described for the first time in 2019, it affects more people than one might think.
Often confused with irritable bowel syndrome or anxiety, R-CPD is, however, a distinct condition with an effective treatment.
Described for the first time in 2019, it affects more people than one might think.
Often confused with irritable bowel syndrome or anxiety, R-CPD is, however, a distinct condition with an effective treatment.
Described for the first time in 2019, it affects more people than one might think.
Often confused with irritable bowel syndrome or anxiety, R-CPD is, however, a distinct condition with an effective treatment.
The treatment
The R-CPD is effectively treated by botulinum toxin injection into the cricopharyngeal muscle, performed by an ENT specialist in day surgery under general anesthesia. This intervention, available in the Quebec public system, temporarily relaxes the dysfunctional muscle, allowing for belching and relieving all associated symptoms.
In brief:
✓ Success rate : 88-95%
✓ Onset of action : 3-5 days
✓ Duration of effect of the botulinum toxin : ~3 months, but often followed by durable resolution thanks to the "retraining" of the muscle system
The R-CPD is effectively treated by botulinum toxin injection into the cricopharyngeal muscle, performed by an ENT specialist in outpatient surgery under general anesthesia. This intervention, available in the Quebec public system, temporarily relaxes the dysfunctional muscle, allowing belching and relieving all associated symptoms.
In brief:
✓ Success rate : 88-95%
✓ Onset of action : 3-5 days
✓ Duration of effect of botulinum toxin : ~3 months, but is often followed by lasting resolution thanks to the "resetting" of the system through muscle training
The mission of cantburp.org
The R-CPD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome, reflux, or anxiety, delaying appropriate management.
The R-CPD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome, reflux, or anxiety, delaying appropriate management.
Providing reliable information and support to individuals affected in their journey.
Providing reliable information and support to individuals affected in their journey.
Provide concrete tools to better screen and guide patients.
Provide concrete tools to better screen and guide patients.
Transforming medical journeys, one person at a time
Transforming medical journeys, one person at a time
Every person affected by R-CPD deserves recognition of their symptoms and access to the treatment that will transform their quality of life.
© 2025, Catherine Boudreau, Dt.P., ODNQ. All rights reserved.