What is the relationship between stomach acid reflux and tension?
It may be easy to deal with stomach acidity from some types of food by avoiding them, but stomach acid reflux that you may feel in certain situations, such as before entering an important job interview, may not be that easy.
In this article, we will learn about the relationship between stress and stomach acid reflux (Acid Reflux), and simple steps to help you cope with this healthy present.
Stomach acid reflux and tension
Some studies have found that stress is related to stimulating a feeling of heartburn or stomach acid reflux.
In a study conducted in 2010, which revealed data and information about 40,000 Norwegians, it was found that:
People who had high levels of stress caused by their working conditions were more likely to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
People who had lower levels of job satisfaction were twice as likely to have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease than those who were generally more satisfied with their jobs.
And a recently published study in the Journal of Internal Medicine indicated that more than half of the respondents mentioned that their heartburn symptoms were getting worse when they were exposed to stress in a way that exceeds even what some medications may cause.
Does stress make stomach acid reflux symptoms worse?
Although the matter has not been resolved scientifically yet, scientists believe that the sensitivity of the esophagus towards the same amount of acid that the stomach secreted increases when you feel stressed.
A study published in 1993 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that the patients participating in the study who had high levels of stress and anxiety had increased symptoms of stomach acid reflux worse and pain, knowing that the amount of acid that was Its secretion did not differ.
If the amount of acid is not greater, then why is this happening?
Scientists think, stress can often cause brain changes that trigger pain receptors, for a person to feel additional pain than he or she feels in stress-free situations.
Stress helps reduce levels of Prostaglandins, which are acidic receptors that protect the stomach from the acid produced by it, which may increase pain and sensitivity to stomach acid.
Stress and fatigue may cause bodily changes that negatively affect stomach acid reflux.
Tips to reduce stomach acid reflux
Changing your lifestyle towards less stressful practices during your day will have a positive impact on your overall health, as it will reduce your chances of heart disease, stroke, obesity and depression, as well as reduce stomach acid reflux. So, make the following changes for better digestive health:
1- Exercise
Exercise helps you:
Exercising and relieving muscle tension, as well as keeping you away from the work environment that may strain your stress.
Secreting hormones that make you happy.
Excess weight loss, which may reduce pressure on the abdomen and thus reduce stomach acid reflux.
2- Change the diet
It is important to monitor your diet, especially when you are stressed, because you may become more likely to consume foods and drinks that may cause you heartburn or heartburn, such as chocolate, caffeine, citrus fruits, juices, tomatoes, and spicy or fatty foods.
3- Get enough sleep
The relationship between sleep and stress to some extent revolves in an endless and endless cycle. While good sleep causes a decrease in stress levels, reducing stress also improves the quality of sleep, and so on.
To avoid stomach acid reflux during sleep, it is preferable to place the head on a pillow above the level of the body.
4- Happiness and relaxation
Feelings of happiness and relaxation reduce stress, which may positively affect stomach acid reflux. Here you can:
Doing yoga or listening to relaxing music
Having massage sessions relieve any muscle tension.
Laughter, you can simply watch a funny movie or TV series, or even meet up with your friends who are not humorous and tell funny situations, laughter is one of the best psychological treatments for stress fighting.
5- Rearrange your priorities
You should learn to say the word “no” when it does not fit the agenda of your priorities, whether this “no” is for activities and events or for people. If making your schedule crowded with things you have to accomplish even though it is not on your top priority may cause you a lot of stress
