Can Anxiety Cause Reflux Symptoms?
Taking traditional heartburn treatments like acid reducers or antacids could aid in managing your symptoms. For long-lasting relief, it’s essential to reduce anxiety.
Research suggests that there is a link between anxiety and acid reflux (GERD). Stress can affect your digestive system, causing or aggravated acid reflux.
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Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid leaks up into the esophagus. Acid reflux can cause heartburn and other symptoms. There are a variety of possible causes of acid reflux, which include certain foods such as spicy foods and caffeine; medications, like NSAIDs, pregnancy or being overweight, and stress. Symptoms include a burning sensation in the throat, chest pain as well as a bad taste inside the mouth, and difficulty swallowing.
Numerous studies suggest that there is an association between anxiety and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is the medical name for acid reflux. The two conditions have similar symptoms. For example, GERD and anxiety both result in chest pain, which can be mistaken for heart attacks.
One theory is that anxiety can alter the brain’s signals to stomach. This could cause the lower esophageal muscle (LES) to relax in an abnormal way and allow stomach acid to flow into the esophagus. Additionally, anxiety can increase the production of stomach acid. People who experience high levels of anxiety might have more severe GERD symptoms than those who do not suffer from anxiety.
Stress could also be a factor in the connection between anxiety and GERD. When you’re under stress the body produces cortisol. This hormone can cause you to feel nauseated or have other digestive side-effects. Cortisol is also known to cause your stomach to produce more acid, which can worsen GERD and cause symptoms of heartburn.
Anxiety and GERD are often linked by their common symptoms. It can be difficult to distinguish between the two conditions and then treat them accordingly. There are a variety of at-home and prescribed treatments that can help manage these disorders.
Find out the triggers that cause anxiety and GERD. If your anxiety is caused by work-related stress then try to lessen the stress. Also, avoid eating food items that trigger GERD such as fried foods and drinks with acidic ingredients. You may want to seek out psychological therapy in order to find the root cause of your anxiety. This can be done with medication or by talking to a counselor.
Causes
Heartburn is a common problem for all. However when it becomes a chronic and frequent problem it could mean that you suffer from GERD. It’s common for people who have GERD to also suffer from anxiety. Both conditions typically go together.
GERD symptoms include irritation and pain caused by stomach acid or pepsin settling into the esophagus. It is believed that this is caused by a weakening of the lower esophageal and sphincter which is the muscle that keeps liquids and food from getting into the lungs when you swallow. This is caused by a mix of factors, including tension in the muscles caused by stress and anxiety.
If you’re stressed it is believed that your intestines are producing more acid. This could be because your body’s natural response to stress triggers the digestive system. The extra acid can cause irritation to the esophagus and cause an uncomfortable burning sensation.
Researchers have also found that the gut and the brain are linked. This is known as the “gut-brain” Axis and it is believed that your mood and your mood can impact the way your body functions and your gut bacteria. This is why it’s important to address any anxiety symptoms even when not anxious issues you may have.
The good news is that you can treat both anxiety and acid reflux at the same time. There are many ways to treat this, including taking anti-acids or other heartburn medications and making changes to your diet, and exercising regularly. But, it’s important to keep in mind that physical therapies don’t solve the root cause of the issue — you’ll need to improve your mental health as well.
Anti-anxiety therapy and medications are available to help with anxiety. These treatments will reduce anxiety symptoms and increase your quality of life. Join a support group to learn from other people with anxiety and get tips. You can also join online forums where people suffering from anxiety offer encouragement and support.
Treatment
There are a variety of ways to manage anxiety and acid indigestion. If you are struggling with both, it’s important to treat both simultaneously for long-lasting relief. You can also take over-the-counter heartburn medications and avoid foods that trigger acid reflux. It is also important to incorporate stress-reducing techniques into your daily routine such as meditation or yoga.
Experts believe that GERD and anxiety have an underlying reason, though it isn’t completely understood. Anxiety disorders can alter the way your stomach functions. Specifically, an anxiety disorder can cause your lower esophageal muscle work improperly. This can result in the accumulation of acid in your stomach and then expand into your esophagus.
People suffering from GERD can also have increased sensitivity in their esophagus. This can be aggravated by anxiety or other mental health problems. This makes it difficult for them to tell when something is causing their heartburn and it can be difficult to determine what triggers their symptoms.
Treatments for both GERD and anxiety typically involve medication, lifestyle changes, and therapy. Acid reflux can be managed by taking medications like proton pumps inhibitors and antacids. These medications stop the release of stomach acid. These medications can be extremely useful but they don’t tackle the root cause of your issue. In contrast, a psychotherapist can show you how to relieve physical symptoms of anxiety to cope with anxiety and discover healthy ways to ease stress.
Anxiety disorders and GERD generally are characterized by a negative cycle in which anxiety causes discomfort, which is then a trigger for stress levels. This can result in an endless cycle in which you suffer from both conditions. However, it’s not inevitable that you have to suffer from both. There are many treatment options that can improve the quality of your life for both anxiety and reflux such as cognitive symptoms of anxiety Behavioral Therapy, which is focused on altering negative thinking patterns. Interpersonal Therapy teaches you how to improve your relationships on a daily basis.
Prevention
Heartburn is something that everyone experiences at times, but if it occurs frequently it could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD can cause acid from your stomach to leak back up into your throat and esophagus. This can trigger a sensation of burning in your chest or throat, and make you anxious about possible damage.
You can take some steps to stop anxiety from contributing to heartburn and acid indigestion. Consult your doctor if you are taking anxiety medication about how they might affect the symptoms of reflux. Certain anti-anxiety medicines, such as benzodiazepines, could increase the risk of having reflux and should not be used if have GERD.
Second, avoid foods and beverages that can trigger heartburn or worsen symptoms. This includes fatty and spicy drinks, foods and caffeine. Stress and anxiety can increase your appetite, making it essential to have a balanced diet and sleep enough.
Anxiety can cause overeating, which can cause obesity and other health issues. The excess weight puts pressure on your abdomen, which can also contribute to reflux. If you’re worried about your digestion, talk to a doctor who will suggest healthy eating habits and may prescribe medication to help with your health issues.
While over-the-counter medications can relieve heartburn, it’s a good idea to look for ways to reduce your stress levels. This can include exercises, meditation, and relaxation.
Some studies have found that people suffering from GERD suffer from more anxiety than those who don’t suffer from the condition. Researchers speculate that this may be due to the way GERD triggers anxiety.
It’s also important to note that certain over-the-counter acid-reflux medications can worsen your GERD symptoms, so it’s a good idea to see your doctor before attempting the same medications again. They can recommend alternative medications, such as antacids, lansoprazole, or omeprazole. They can also offer advice on how to reduce your stress levels, which can help alleviate your anxiety and your GERD.