Acid reflux and anxiety symptoms

Acid reflux and anxiety symptoms – If you have been diagnosed with acid reflux, chances are that you also suffer from anxiety and vice versa. Several studies suggest that there is a close link between acid reflux and anxiety. This means that if you suffer from stress and anxiety, then you are highly likely to suffer from acid reflux. On the other hand, if you suffer from acid reflux, anxiety and stress may make the situation worse. A study published in 2018 in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and motility revealed that a majority of people who suffer from Acid reflux also suffer from stress and anxiety. So, what is the connection between acid reflux and anxiety? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about acid reflux and anxiety, including their symptoms.

 

What exactly is acid reflux?

 

Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when acid in your stomach frequently flows back into the tube connecting your stomach and mouth (esophagus). When this occurs, it irritates the lining of your esophagus causing pain and discomfort. The stomach contains hydrochloric acid that helps to break food down as well as protect you against pathogens. The lining on your stomach is specially adapted to deal with this powerful acid but the esophagus is not. So, when the valve fails and stomach content regurgitates into the esophagus, you will feel a burning sensation and that is what is known as acid reflux.

A vast majority of people experience acid reflux once in a while. Acid reflux can be managed by making simple lifestyle changes or using over-the-counter medication. However, if the condition is severe, then stronger medication or even surgery may be required to ease the symptoms.

 

Acid reflux causes – Acid reflux and anxiety symptoms

One of the main causes of acid reflux is a stomach abnormality known as hiatal hernia, which occurs when the upper parts of the stomach move above the diaphragm. Other causes of this condition include:

 

• Being overweight or obese
• Eating large meals
• Lying down immediately after a meal
• Snacking right before going to bed
• Eating heavy meals and lying over at the weight or lying on your back
• Being pregnant
• Smoking
• Taking blood pressure medication, certain muscle relaxers or ibuprofen, and aspirin
• Drinking certain beverages such as coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, and alcohol

 

Acid reflux symptoms

 

• Heartburn- a discomfort or burning pain that moves from your stomach to your chest or abdomen and sometimes up to the throat.
• Regurgitation – a bitter or sour state on your mouth or throat
• Weight loss for no reason
• Difficulty swallowing
• Chest pain
• A sensation of a lump in your throat

 

What is anxiety?

 

Anxiety is a disorder where you fear and often avoid places or situations that make you feel tense, nervous, or tense. Anxiety is normal and in most cases a healthy emotion. However, if you regularly feel anxious, then it becomes a medical disorder.

 

Causes of anxiety

 

• Stress buildup
• Personality- some personality types are more likely to have challenges with anxiety than others
• Mental health issues like depression
• Drug or alcohol consumption
• Trauma

 

Symptoms of anxiety

 

• Having an uncontrollable feeling of worry
• finding it hard to concentrate Increased irritability
• experiencing gastrointestinal problems
• Sleeping difficulties

 

While the symptoms listed above may be normal to experience, people with anxiety disorder usually experience them at an extreme level to the point where it disrupts their day-to-day living.

 

What is the connection between acid reflux and anxiety?

Now that we have defined both acid reflux and anxiety, let’s now take a look at how these two conditions are connected to each other. Several studies that have examined how anxiety and acid reflux are connected have revealed that there is a link between your brain and how the gastro-intestinal tract works. Anxiety can directly aggravate acid reflux by reducing pressure on the LES that controls the movement of your stomach acid. Additionally, anxiety can cause hypochondriasis that may promote heartburn.

 

Stress caused by anxiety can also alter the contraction in the esophagus that forces food into the stomach. If the contractions become irregular it may cause acid reflux. Research has also shown that high anxiety and stress levels may also increase the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. More so, if you are suffering from anxiety, then you are more likely to be sensitive to changes happening in your digestive tract thus increasing the chances of suffering from acid reflux.

 

It is important to note that anxiety does not directly cause acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter malfunctions, causing undigested food particles to enter the esophagus, resulting in a burning sensation. However, when you are anxious the symptoms of acid reflux are heightened, making you feel even worse.

 

Tips on how to manage acid reflux and anxiety

 

Now that you know the link between acid reflux and anxiety, you may be wondering what you should do to manage both of them. If you are suffering from these two conditions, you should not panic because you can manage them and live a normal and healthy life. One of the best ways to manage these two conditions is by taking over-the-counter medication as recommended by your doctor. Recommended treatments include things like H2 blockers, antacids, and proton pump inhibitors. These medications will help prevent hydrochloric acid from finding its way into your esophagus. Other important things that you need to do to acid reflux and anxiety include:

 

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes
• Avoid foods that trigger acid reflux such as alcohol, caffeine, garlic, citrus, mint, and much more.
• Quit smoking
• Learn how to manage stress and anxiety

 

Final thoughts

 

Acid reflux and anxiety symptoms – If you have just found out that you are suffering from both anxiety and acid reflux and wondering what is the link between the two, we hope that this article has been informative. Acid reflux and anxiety are related in many ways. If you have anxiety, then you are more likely to suffer from acid reflux and vice versa. Fortunately, both acid reflux and anxiety can be managed if you follow a healthy lifestyle and take the right medication recommended by your doctor.

 

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