Can Anxiety Cause Reflux Symptoms?
Taking traditional treatments for heartburn such as antacids or acid reducers may aid in managing your symptoms. To get lasting relief, it's important to reduce anxiety.
Research has shown that anxiety and acid reflux are closely linked. Stress levels can affect your digestive system and trigger or worsen the symptoms of acid reflux.
Signs and symptoms
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid leaks back up into the esophagus. Acid can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn and other symptoms. There are a variety of possible causes of acid reflux, including certain foods such as spicy foods and caffeine; medications such as NSAIDs; being overweight; and stress. Acid reflux symptoms include a burning sensation in the throat and chest pain. It could also be the sensation of a bad taste or bad smell in the mouth.
Numerous studies suggest that there is a link between anxiety and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is the medical term for acid reflux. This is due to the fact that both conditions share the same symptoms. For example, GERD and anxiety both result in chest pain, which could be mistaken as an attack on the heart.
One theory is that anxiety can affect brain signals to the stomach. This could cause the lower esophageal muscle (LES) to relax abnormally and allow stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. Furthermore, anxiety can boost the production of stomach acid. People who experience high levels of anxiety might suffer more severe GERD symptoms than those who don't have anxiety.
Another possibility is that anxiety and GERD are connected due to stress. When you're stressed, the body produces cortisol. This hormone can cause nausea or experience other digestive side-effects. Cortisol is also known to make your stomach produce more acid, which can cause GERD and cause symptoms of heartburn.
Anxiety and GERD are often connected through their overlapping symptoms. It is difficult to differentiate between the two conditions, and treat them appropriately. Fortunately, there are many at-home and prescription therapies that can be used to treat both conditions.
Find out what triggers anxiety and GERD. If your anxiety is due to work-related stress then try to lessen the stress. You could also consider avoiding foods that contribute to your GERD for example, the consumption of fried foods and beverages that are acidic. Also, you should consider seeking psychological treatment to deal with the root of your anxiety. This can be accomplished through medication or by talking to a therapist.
Causes
Although everyone suffers from occasional bouts of heartburn If it becomes a regular and ongoing issue, it may indicate that you may have GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is common for those who have GERD to also experience anxiety. The two conditions usually go together.
GERD symptoms include irritation and pain caused by stomach acid or pepsin settling into the esophagus. It is believed that this is due to a weakening of the lower esophageal Sphincter, which is the muscle that prevents liquids and food from entering the lungs when you swallow. This is due to several factors, such as muscle tension due to anxiety and stress, which could cause the muscles in the area to tighten.
It's also believed that when you're anxious, your intestines can produce more acid than they normally do. This could be due to your body's natural response to stress causes the digestive system to be activated. This extra acid could cause irritation to the esophagus and the sensation of burning.
Research has also revealed that the brain and gut are linked. This is known as the "gut-brain" axis and it is believed that your mood and emotions can impact how your body functions and also your gut bacteria. This is why it's essential to deal with any anxiety issues you may have.
The good news is that you can treat anxiety as well as acid reflux at the same time. There are a myriad of ways to treat this, including taking anti-acids or
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Anti-anxiety therapy and medications are available to combat anxiety. These treatments will reduce your anxiety symptoms and
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Treatment
There are many ways to treat anxiety as well as acid digestion. It is crucial to treat both simultaneously to get lasting relief. This includes avoiding foods and beverages that cause acid reflux and using over-the counter medications for heartburn. You should also incorporate stress-relieving methods into your life such as meditation or yoga.
Experts believe that GERD and anxiety share a common cause, even though it isn't fully understood. Anxiety disorders change the way your brain transmits signals to the rest of your body, and this can affect the functioning of your stomach. Specifically, an anxiety disorder can cause the lower esophageal sphincter function in a way that is not optimally. This can cause your stomach to become acidic which then can move into your esophagus.
In addition, people suffering from GERD may have a heightened degree of sensitivity in their esophagus, which is further aggravated by anxiety and other mental health issues. This makes it more difficult to identify when something is causing their heartburn, and it may be difficult to determine what is causing their symptoms.
Treatments for both GERD and anxiety usually involve medication, lifestyle changes, and therapy. Medications such as proton pump inhibitors and antacids are able to aid in reducing acid reflux by preventing the release of gastric acid into your stomach. These medications can be extremely efficient, however they don't tackle the root of your issues. In contrast, a counselor can help you learn how to cope with anxiety and help you find healthy ways to relieve stress.
Anxiety disorders and GERD generally have a negative cycle where anxiety causes pain, and this pain is then a trigger for stress levels. This can lead to an unending cycle where you are suffering from both conditions. But, it's not a requirement that you'll suffer from both. There are a variety of treatments for anxiety and acid reflux that can improve your quality of life including cognitive behavioral therapy which focuses on changing negative thought patterns as well as Interpersonal Therapy, which teaches you techniques to improve your relationships in your daily life.
Prevention
Heartburn is a condition that everyone experiences at times however, if it happens frequently it could be an indication of gastroesophageal disease (GERD). GERD can cause acid from your stomach to leak back into your throat and esophagus. This can cause a feeling of burning in your throat or chest and
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There are a few steps to help keep your anxiety from contributing to your acid reflux and heartburn. First, if you're on any anxiety medications, talk to your doctor about how they could affect your symptoms of reflux. Certain common anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines, can increase the risk of reflux and should not be used if you suffer from GERD.
Secondly, try to avoid drinks and foods that cause heartburn or make your symptoms worse. This includes spicy and fatty foods, alcohol and caffeine. Stress and anxiety can increase your appetite, which is why it's important to maintain a balanced diet and get enough rest.
Anxiety can make you overeat, which can cause obesity and other health problems. Weight gain can cause the pressure in your abdomen and cause reflux. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned about your digestion. He can prescribe medications and suggest healthy eating habits.
Although over-the-counter medicines can help relieve heartburn, it's also a good idea to find ways to lower stress levels. This can include exercising, meditation, or relaxation.
Certain studies have shown that those with GERD have greater levels of anxiety than those who do not suffer from the condition. Researchers speculate that this could be due to the way GERD causes anxiety.
It's also important to note that certain over-the-counter acid-reflux medications can aggravate your GERD symptoms, so it's a good idea to consult your doctor before trying them again. They may also suggest alternative medications like antacids or lansoprazole or omeprazole. They can also offer suggestions on how to decrease stress, which can help relieve anxiety and GERD.