Can Stress Cause Acid Reflux?

According to many different people who suffer from episodes of acid reflux, stress can worsen symptoms of acid reflux. Many studies have shown that stressful events can actually act as a trigger for acid reflux. By learning techniques to manage stress that occurs in your life, you can help improve your acid reflux symptoms. 

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when stomach acid escapes from the stomach and enters the esophagus. Normally, a ring of muscles called the sphincter keeps the stomach acid and esophagus separated. However, some people have a weakened or malfunctioning sphincter that allows the stomach acid escape. The harsh acid therefore causes a variety of unpleasant acid reflux symptoms to occur. Common symptoms of acid reflux include:

• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Regurgitation
• Burping
• Stomach pain

Acid reflux can be caused by a variety of different things. Certain dietary choices can trigger an acid reflux episode. Lifestyle choices can also cause acid reflux to occur. Some causes of acid reflux include:

• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Eating too late at night
• Consuming spicy or acidic food
• Having fatty foods

Does stress cause acid reflux?

At the moment, scientists haven’t found conclusive evidence to say that stress can completely cause acid reflux. However, there are a variety of studies that link stress to increased symptoms of acid reflux. Rather than causing acid reflux itself, stress has been found to increase sensitivity to stomach acid. That means that when an acid reflux episode occurs, stress is not the trigger; instead, it merely worsens the feeling of the symptoms. 

Shared symptoms of both acid reflux and stress

Experiencing stress and experiencing an acid reflux episode share similar symptoms. Both conditions can cause a variety of uncomfortable reactions to occur. Some common symptoms shared between acid reflux and stress include:

• Chest tightening
• Heartburn
• Stomach pain
• Choking sensation
• Disrupted sleep

Tips to treating acid reflux and stress

In order to live a comfortable and healthy life, it’s essential to reduce stress and manage your acid reflux. There are a number of different methods used to effectively treat both conditions. Making changes to your lifestyle and diet, using home remedies, and getting a prescription from your doctor are all valid options to try. 

Lifestyle changes

Making changes in your lifestyle is one of the most successful ways to treat both acid reflux and stress. Some ways to treat acid reflux and stress through lifestyle changes include:

• Exercising
• Setting healthy sleep patterns
• Practicing relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation
• Seeking out happiness
• Avoiding overloading your schedule

Dietary changes

Your diet can also have a large impact on symptoms of stress and acid reflux. By making a few changes in your everyday diet, you can more effectively manage your symptoms of acid reflux and stress. Some good dietary changes to make include:

• Avoiding spicy food, citrusy food, and acidic food
• Seeking out foods low in acid, like oatmeal or green vegetables
• Cutting out coffee and alcohol
• Having a balanced diet
• Have smaller, more frequent meals

Why Omeprazole (Generic Prilosec) is your best treatment option for acid reflux

With moderate to severe cases of acid reflux, making simple lifestyle and dietary changes may not be enough to curb your symptoms. The good news? Prescription drug Omeprazole has been proven to be incredibly effective treatment, alleviating all symptoms!

Take control of your treatment by speaking with one of our online doctors today. They can help you discuss your best course of action, including prescription medication Omeprazole.

The best part? Omeprazole works the same as brand name acid reflux medications—at a fraction of the cost! It works by reducing stomach acid, effectively preventing recurring episodes of acid reflux. Plus, most adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, can safely take Omeprazole.

Schedule a virtual doctor’s appointment, today.

Get help for your acid reflux, today!

Acid reflux is incredibly bothersome & inconvenient. While diet & lifestyle changes may help, your best option to treat acid reflux is to speak with a doctor.

Schedule a virtual visit with one of EMD's reputable doctors & get a personalized treatment plan that works.

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