As a debatable topic, scientists are still looking for firm evidence that stress can cause heartburn. However, they do believe that stress can cause your stomach to become more sensitive to smaller amounts of acid in the esophagus.
A 1993 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology revealed those who were stressed showed more painful symptoms to acid reflux. However, none of the patients showed an increase in acid reflux. Therefore, patients felt an increase in discomfort but it wasn’t found to be an increase in the amount of acid produced.
If you are someone who notices the symptoms of acid reflux when you are stressed, take note of some of these stress relieving tips!
- Try some deep breathing exercises.
- Exercise on a daily basis or try yoga.
- Take up a hobby, or jump back into a hobby you may have sidelined.
- Take frequent breaks at work.
- Plan your day. Make a list of tasks you need to get done throughout the day. This will give a sense of organization, and help you feel like you are on top of things.
- Avoid junk food, caffeine, alcohol. This may have helped in the past, but using a binge method will only create long-term problems and not a solution to your stress, such as weight problems.
- Talk to your close friends and family to relieve your stress.
- Make sure you get enough sleep, around 7-9 hours.
- Try to find something that will make you laugh daily, whether it’s a daily joke online, or conversing with your loved ones or co-workers.
Handling stress can be difficult and cause numerous health conditions. Don’t let heartburn be one of them. Contact the Houston Heartburn & Reflux Center today to find the relief you need.