Can Anxiety Cause Reflux Symptoms?
Traditional heartburn treatments like antacids and acid reducers can help manage your symptoms. However, for long-lasting relief, you’ll also need to reduce your anxiety.
Research suggests there is an association between anxiety and acid reflux (GERD). Stress can affect your digestive system, which can cause or worsen acid reflux.
Signs and symptoms
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid leaks into the esophagus. Acid reflux can trigger heartburn, and other symptoms. There are many possible causes of acid reflux, which include certain foods like spicy foods and caffeine, as well as medications such as NSAIDs; pregnancy or being overweight; and stress. The symptoms include a burning sensation in the throat, chest pain and a bad taste in the mouth, and difficulty swallowing.
Numerous studies suggest a connection between mild anxiety attack symptoms and gastroesophageal resuscitation disease (GERD) which is the medical name for acid reflux. This is due to the fact that both conditions share the same symptoms. For instance, GERD and anxiety both result in chest pain, which can be mistaken for an attack on the heart.
One theory is that anxiety alters brain signals sent to the stomach. This could cause the lower esophageal and sphincter (LES) to relax abnormally which allows stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. Additionally, anxiety can increase the production of stomach acid. People with high levels of anxiety may experience more severe GERD symptoms than those who don’t suffer from anxiety.
Stress could also be a factor in the connection between anxiety symptoms attack and GERD. When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone which can make you feel nauseated and may cause other digestive adverse effects. Cortisol is also known to cause your stomach to produce more acid, which can exacerbate GERD and lead to symptoms of heartburn.
Anxiety and GERD can cause an unending cycle, since both conditions have overlapping symptoms. It can be difficult to distinguish between the two disorders, and treat them appropriately. Fortunately, there are many at-home and prescription therapies that can treat both conditions.
Find out what triggers anxiety and GERD. For instance, if you suspect that your anxiety is due to stress at work, you should try to lessen that stress. You can also avoid foods that cause GERD like fried food and drinks that are acidic. Also, think about seeking out psychological therapy to address the root of anxiety. This can be done by taking medication or talking to the therapist.
Causes
Heartburn is a common problem for everyone. However should it become an ongoing and frequent issue, this could indicate that you suffer from GERD. It is normal for people who suffer from GERD to also experience anxiety. The two conditions usually coincide.
GERD symptoms include irritation and pain caused by stomach acid or pepsin settling into the esophagus. It’s thought that this is caused by a weakening of the lower esophageal Sphincter which is the muscle that keeps food and liquid from entering the lungs when you swallow. This is caused by a mix of factors, like muscle tension caused by stress and anxiety.
It’s also believed that when you’re stressed, your intestines can produce more acid than usual. This could be due to your body’s natural response to stress triggers the digestive system. This extra acid could irritate the esophagus, causing the sensation of burning.
Researchers have also found that the gut and the brain are connected. This is known as the “gut-brain axis” and it is believed that your mood and feelings can affect your gut’s bacteria and how your body functions. This is why it’s so important to tackle any anxiety issues you may be experiencing.
The good news is that you can treat both anxiety and acid reflux at the same time. There are a myriad of ways to treat this, including taking antacids or other heartburn medicines as well as making changes to your diet, and working out regularly. It’s crucial to remember that physical treatments will not solve the root of the issue — you’ll have to focus on your mental health too.
Anti-anxiety therapy and medications are available to help with anxiety. These treatments can reduce anxiety symptoms and enhance your quality of life. You can also join a group of support for anxiety to meet with other people who suffer from this condition and get helpful advice from others. You can also take part in online forums where people with anxiety offer encouragement and support.
Treatment
There are many methods to treat anxiety as well as acid Indigestion. If you’re struggling with both, it’s important to treat them at the same time for long-lasting relief. You can also take the over-the-counter heartburn medication and avoid eating foods that trigger acid reflux. Ultimately, you should also consider incorporating stress-relieving techniques to your routine, such as meditation or yoga.
Although it’s not entirely understood the reason GERD and anxiety treatment symptoms coexist experts believe that they have a common cause. Anxiety disorders alter the way that your brain sends signals to the rest of your body, and this could alter the function of your stomach. An anxiety disorder can cause your lower esophageal sphincter to malfunction. This can result in the accumulation of acid in your stomach and can rise up into your esophagus.
People suffering from GERD can also have a heightened sensitivity of their esophagus. This is often aggravated by anxiety or other mental health problems. This makes it harder to determine if something is causing their heartburn, and it can be difficult to determine what triggers the symptoms.
Treatment for GERD and anxiety typically requires lifestyle changes, medication as well as therapy and therapy. The use of medications like proton pump inhibitors and antacids may aid in reducing acid reflux by blocking the release of gastric acid in your stomach. These medicines can be very effective, but they don’t address the root cause of your problems. A therapist, on other hand, can show you how to deal with anxiety and stress.
Anxiety disorders can lead to GERD, and the result is usually negative. The anxiety can cause pain and then that pain can increase stress. This can lead to an endless cycle in which you are constantly suffering from both conditions. It’s not necessary to have both. There are a number of treatment options for both acid reflux and anxiety which can improve your quality of life, including cognitive behavioral therapy, which is focused on changing negative thinking patterns and Interpersonal Therapy, which teaches you strategies to improve your relationships in everyday life.
Prevention
Everybody experiences heartburn at times but if it happens frequently it could be an indication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD can cause stomach acid to leak up into the throat or esophagus. This can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest or throat and may make you feel worried about the risk of damage.
You can take several steps to prevent anxiety from causing your heartburn and acid reflux. First, if you’re taking any medications for anxiety, talk to your doctor about how they might affect your reflux symptoms. Certain anti-anxiety exhaustion symptoms medicines, such as benzodiazepines can increase the risk of having reflux. They should not be used in the event that you suffer from GERD.
Second, avoid foods and beverages that can cause heartburn or cause worsening symptoms. This includes fatty and spicy food items, alcohol and caffeine. Stress and anxiety may also increase your appetite. It is important to eat an adequate diet and get enough rest.
Anxiety can make you overeat, which can result in weight gain and other health issues. The excess weight puts pressure on your abdomen, which may cause reflux. If you’re worried about your digestion, speak to a doctor who can suggest healthy eating habits and could prescribe medication to help with your health issues.
Although over-the-counter medicines can help relieve heartburn, it’s a good idea to look for ways to lower your stress levels. This can include exercising, meditation, or relaxing.
Certain studies have found that those with GERD suffer from more anxiety levels in comparison to those who do not. It’s not known why this is, but researchers speculate that it could be to be related to the manner in which GERD can cause anxiety.
Be aware that some over-the counter acid reflux medicines can aggravate your GERD. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with your doctor prior to taking these medications again. They may also suggest other medications such as anti-acids or omeprazole or lansoprazole. They can also offer advice on how to reduce stress and help ease anxiety and GERD.