Acidity and strain
- Here are four ways stress may be to blame if you experience recurrent acid reflux or stomach upset:
1. Increased Production of Stomach Acid.
Stress may very likely be one of the underlying reasons of your ongoing acidity. Although stress can have a variety of causes of its own, one typical impact it has on your mental health is the emergence of anxiety. Other health problems brought on by anxiety include an increase in stomach acid production. Some of the extra stomach acid may be forced back into the food pipe (oesophagus) as a result of the increased production of stomach acids.
Read More:There is Nothing Like a Perfect Time to See Yourself to a Counsellor for Mental Health.
You may have observed that stress may either increase your appetite or decrease it. This is yet another effect of increased stomach acid production. As a result, there is a connection between stress and acid reflux, and if you want to lower your risk of developing acid reflux, you must actively work to lower your level of stress.
2. Lower Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure.
A band of tissues called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) connects the stomach and food pipe. In order to prevent stomach acids from seeping into the food pipe while digestion is taking place, the LES is in charge of keeping the stomach closed. The LES might relax as a result of worry and stress. This enables stomach acids to escape into the food pipe and cause acid reflux symptoms.
According to research, tension and stress slow down the pace at which the LES and food pipe constrict. As a result, it is now well acknowledged in the medical world that stress and worry contribute to acid reflux.
3. Prolonged Stomach Muscle Tension.
Studies have also shown that stress and anxiety affect the muscles of the stomach. This translates to increased muscular tension in the tissues in and around the stomach in persons who are under intense stress. When the stomach’s muscles are under tension, gastric acids are forced to reflux into the food pipe, which can lead to acidity.
While the acute acidity brought on by this stress may not be a big reason for concern, the persistent incidence of acid reflux may be. Acid reflux from the stomach can frequently be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
4. Reduced Protective Hormone Levels.
The synthesis of a hormone called prostaglandin is another link between stress and acidity. This hormone shields your stomach from any damage brought on by powerful gastric acids. Because increased stress has been shown to reduce the synthesis of this hormone, you can have severe abdominal discomfort as a result.
In such a situation, the stomach’s protective lining may be eroded by gastric acids, which may also reflux back up into the food pipe, resulting in acid reflux. Reducing the causes of stress in your everyday life is the only way to stop this from happening.
The Summary.
Whatever the cause, many people have acid reflux, a gastroesophageal condition that is quite prevalent. In fact, acid reflux is so widespread that the majority of sufferers choose for temporary antacids to get them through the crisis rather than seeking long-term treatment. However, some mental health strategies must be used to address the issue of acidity brought on by stress.
