Excessive swallowing of air: Aerophagia is usually an unconscious process associated with anxiety, resulting in abdominal distention or belching, often interpreted by the patient as signs of a physical disorder.

Aerophagia can be an abnormal spasmodic swallowing of air, especially as a symptom of hysteria, and is a common cause of flatulence and belching.

Aerophagy can result in the distention of the stomach.