Anxiety disorders cause a slew of problems in the body, one of which is acid reflux or heartburn. While doctors are still studying the relationship between the two, current studies suggest a strong link.
Consequently, anxiety could act as a trigger for acid reflux, among other changes in the body. A 2018 study points out that anxiety may change the pressure in the esophageal sphincter, which keeps acid in the stomach.
A. Yes, it's possible. Emotional stress can increase acid production in the stomach, aggravating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Management and Treatment
Most cases of LPR do not need medical care and can be managed with lifestyle changes, including the following: Follow a bland diet (low acid levels, low in fat, not spicy). Eat frequent, small meals. Lose weight.
Stress caused by anxiety may also affect contractions occurring in the esophagus, which propel food toward the stomach. If these contractions become irregular, it can lead to reflux. Finally, high stress and anxiety levels may increase the production of stomach acid.
Acid reflux and GERD can both cause heartburn and may both be influenced by stress levels1. If you are increasingly noticing a burning sensation in your chest or throat, it could be a sign that you need to take some time to deal with stress.
In most cases, a nervous stomach does not signify anything serious. When you have it, you may feel: Cramping, churning, tightness, or knots in the stomach. “Butterflies” in the stomach feeling.
While you can manage some symptoms with medications, you may wonder if it is possible to cure GERD permanently. The answer is yes — you may be able to through surgery and lifestyle factors, or both.
Factors that can aggravate acid reflux include: Smoking. Eating large meals or eating late at night. Eating certain foods (triggers) such as fatty or fried foods.
People without a history of heartburn can suddenly develop heartburn as a result of eating certain foods, some eating patterns, drinking, and smoking. Stress, anxiety, certain medications, and some medical conditions can also cause it.
In turn, studies also suggest that anxiety or depression may increase GERD risk (13). Subjects with both anxiety and depression had a 2.8-fold increased reflux risk compared to healthy control individuals (14). Kessing et al. reported that the degree of anxiety was correlated with the severity of reflux episodes (15).
Stomach problems are one of the most common symptoms of stress and anxiety. Researchers have identified a powerful connection between the gut and the brain.
GERD can lead to anxiety and depression, in turn, psychological disorders can also lead to reflux symptoms. People with depression are 1.7 times more likely to develop GERD compared to those without depression. In the study of Kessing et al,23 levels of anxiety can increase the severity of reflux episodes.
But the study's preliminary findings revealed an intriguing new link: Sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality also increase the odds of having reflux. "When you deprive yourself of sleep, you feel your GERD symptoms more," Chen says.
Medications which contain alginate (such as Gaviscon Advance) are very helpful. Some patients are asked to take this every night before going to bed. It should be the last thing you swallow before going to bed. Do not have anything at all to eat or drink after taking it.