Stress And Stomach: Gerd's Emotional Link

Emotional stress can increase acid production in the stomach, aggravating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic condition where stomach acid flows up into the oesophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, and nausea. While the exact link between GERD and anxiety is unclear, studies suggest that stress and anxiety may make GERD symptoms worse.

Stress can make individuals more sensitive to smaller amounts of acid in the oesophagus, and high-stress levels can affect gastrointestinal function, potentially leading to gastrointestinal disorders. Research shows that people with moderate to high-stress levels are more likely to experience GERD symptoms, and stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, and exercise can help reduce GERD symptoms.

Emotional stress can increase acid production in the stomach, aggravating GERD

Emotional stress can increase acid production in the stomach, aggravating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic condition where stomach acid flows up into the oesophagus. While it is not uncommon to experience acid reflux occasionally, frequent acid reflux may be diagnosed as GERD. Emotional stress can trigger or worsen acid reflux and GERD symptoms.

The Link Between Emotional Stress and GERD

Multiple studies have found that people experiencing stress are more likely to have GERD symptoms. Stress can affect oesophageal sensitivity, making individuals more sensitive to smaller amounts of acid in the oesophagus. This increased sensitivity can also contribute to other gastrointestinal disorders, such as functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Impact of Emotional Stress on Acid Production

Emotional stress can increase acid production in the stomach, which can further aggravate GERD symptoms. This increase in acid production may be due to the impact of stress on the lower oesophageal sphincter, causing muscle tension and increased pressure in the stomach, pushing acid up into the oesophagus.

Managing Emotional Stress and GERD

Lifestyle changes and stress reduction strategies can help manage GERD. This includes adopting coping mechanisms for stress, such as exercise, mindfulness or meditation, yoga, and deep breathing. Additionally, cognitive-behavioural therapy can help reduce chronic stress levels.

Treatment Options for GERD and Emotional Stress

Treating both GERD and emotional stress may require a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Home remedies and medications, such as proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, and antacids, can help reduce GERD symptoms. For emotional stress, medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors may be prescribed, along with psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Stress can make you more sensitive to smaller amounts of acid in the oesophagus

Stress and anxiety can trigger acid reflux or make its symptoms worse. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition in which stomach acid flows up into the oesophagus. While stress and anxiety are not the same, anxiety is a natural response to stress, and experiencing anxiety can be stressful in itself, creating a cycle.

Research has found that people with GERD experienced significantly higher symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially those who also reported chest pain. A 2018 study found that people with anxiety were more likely to experience GERD symptoms. This may be because anxiety can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, cause muscle tension, and increase stomach acid production.

A 2023 study in Sri Lanka found that people with moderate to high stress were 1.95 times more likely to have acid reflux symptoms than those with low stress. A 2019 study of Saudi Arabian students also determined that GERD was more common in those exposed to high perceived stress.

Stress can also lead to bad habits that aggravate acid reflux, such as overeating, consuming chocolate or ice cream, drinking more caffeine, or having alcoholic drinks.

Reducing stress levels and adopting coping mechanisms can help to reduce acid reflux symptoms. This can include getting more exercise, improving sleep, practising mindfulness or meditation, trying calming activities, and setting healthy boundaries.

Anxiety and stress can cause and worsen acid reflux symptoms

Stress can also affect oesophageal sensitivity. A 2017 study found that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a neuropeptide released during stress, increased the oesophagus's sensitivity to electrical activity. When stressed, you become more sensitive to smaller amounts of acid in the oesophagus.

A 2023 study in Sri Lanka found that people with moderate to high stress were 1.95 times more likely to have acid reflux symptoms than those with low stress. A 2019 study of Saudi Arabian students also determined that GERD was more common in those exposed to high perceived stress.

Anxiety and stress may also be contributing factors to acid reflux. A 2018 study involving more than 19,000 people found that those with anxiety were more likely to experience GERD symptoms. The authors of the study suggest several possible physical reasons for this:

• Anxiety may reduce pressure in the lower oesophageal sphincter, which keeps the stomach closed and prevents acid from leaking into the oesophagus.
• Stress responses and anxiety may cause long-lasting muscle tension, which could increase pressure in the stomach and push acid up.
• High anxiety levels may increase stomach acid production.

Additionally, acid reflux can be stressful and may cause anxiety in some people. A 2019 study found that people with GERD who experienced chest pain had significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety than those without chest pain. The authors of the study suggest that people may associate symptoms such as chest pain with more serious conditions, increasing their anxiety.

A combination of physical and psychological treatments can help break the cycle and provide relief. Lifestyle changes and relaxation strategies, such as mindful meditation, yoga, tai chi, and deep breathing, can help manage GERD. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is another option for reducing chronic stress. Regular exercise is also beneficial, as it is a natural stress reliever and can help maintain a healthy weight, which can improve GERD symptoms.

Anxiety may reduce pressure in the lower oesophageal sphincter, which can prevent acid from leaking into the oesophagus

Anxiety and GERD

Anxiety is your body's natural response to stress. However, severe anxiety or anxiety that lasts for months can indicate an anxiety disorder. Anxiety and stress can cause and worsen acid reflux symptoms. Anxiety can also make existing acid reflux worse due to its negative effect on quality of life.

There is a link between anxiety and acid reflux, although the nature of the link is unclear. A 2018 study found that people with anxiety may be more likely to develop acid reflux. The researchers suggested several possible physical reasons for this, including:

• Anxiety may reduce pressure in the lower oesophageal sphincter, which is the band of muscle that keeps the stomach closed and prevents acid from leaking into the oesophagus.
• Stress responses and anxiety may cause long-lasting muscle tension. If this affects the muscles around the stomach, it could increase pressure in the organ and push the acid up.
• High anxiety levels may increase stomach acid production.

How to treat acid reflux caused by anxiety

Treating both acid reflux and anxiety may require a combination of medications for both conditions, as well as home remedies. Medications for acid reflux include proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, and antacids. Medications for anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. In addition, a person may seek psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Lifestyle changes to manage acid reflux and anxiety

Lifestyle changes can help manage acid reflux and anxiety. These include:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Limiting coffee, tea, and cola drinks
• Eating smaller meals
• Avoiding meals close to bedtime
• Getting more exercise, which releases naturally stress-relieving hormones
• Getting enough sleep
• Practising mindfulness or meditation
• Practising yoga or tai chi
• Trying calming activities, like listening to music, drawing, or journaling
• Setting healthy boundaries and maintaining them
• Practising self-care

Stress can affect oesophageal sensitivity

Stress can affect the oesophageal sensitivity of healthy individuals and exacerbate the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients. A 2017 study found that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a neuropeptide released during stress, increased the oesophagus's sensitivity to electrical activity when administered to healthy participants via intravenous infusion. This suggests that stress can alter oesophageal sensitivity and enhance the perception of symptoms in GERD patients.

The impact of stress on the oesophagus

Stress can affect the oesophageal body motility, causing changes in contractile front velocity and distal latency of oesophageal peristaltic contractions. However, it does not induce significant motor abnormalities or increase gastroesophageal reflux in healthy individuals. The effect of stress on oesophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux parameters has been studied, with conflicting results. While some studies suggest that stress can alter oesophageal motility, others found no significant changes in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure or distal contractile integral of oesophageal contractions.

The link between stress and acid reflux

Multiple studies have reported a link between stress and acid reflux or GERD symptoms. Stress can make individuals more sensitive to smaller amounts of acid in the oesophagus, triggering acid reflux. A 2023 study in Sri Lanka found that people with moderate to high stress levels were 1.95 times more likely to experience acid reflux symptoms than those with low stress. Additionally, a 2019 study of Saudi Arabian students found that GERD was more common in those exposed to high-perceived stress.

The role of anxiety in acid reflux

Anxiety, as the body's natural response to stress, can also contribute to acid reflux. It may reduce pressure in the lower oesophageal sphincter, cause long-lasting muscle tension, and increase stomach acid production. A 2018 study suggested that people with anxiety are more likely to develop GERD due to these physical factors. Furthermore, anxiety can worsen acid reflux symptoms, as individuals with anxiety may perceive their episodes as more severe, even when experiencing the same amount of acid reflux as those without anxiety.

Frequently asked questions