Does Stress Cause Acid Reflux?

Overview

Heartburn, acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) all are names for the uncomfortable condition that causes stomach acid to back up through the esophagus. A burning sensation in the chest can last for a minute or two or hang on for hours after eating. While nerves and stress play a role in acid reflux, it is usually a byproduct of other conditions in people with a tendency to experience symptoms of the digestive disorder, say researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Tendencies

Studies by the NIH have found that high-stress situations can create a number of physical responses, including increased heart rate and pulse, rising blood pressure and acid reflux symptoms. Stressful situations tend to evoke acid reflux in people with heartburn tendencies and not in people with healthy digestive tracts. Researchers believe that people who are chronically stressed may experience a higher rate of reflux on a regular basis.

Behavior

Surveys by the National Heartburn Alliance suggest that behaviors of stressed-out individuals lead to a higher incidence of acid reflux. They found that 58 percent of survey respondents pointed to a hectic lifestyle as the source of their frequent heartburn. Running between work and other activities often reduces the amount of time spent eating properly and exercising, two lifestyle factors that help to prevent acid reflux. Habits such as smoking and drinking, known triggers for heartburn, often increase when people experience stress.

Timing

People under stress often don't take the time to relax when eating; they eat on the run or just before lying down. Stomach acid cannot flow properly from a prone position, and heartburn will result. Eating fast food, prepackaged or fried foods can contribute to a higher incidence of heartburn. Coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages, drinks of choice for many people under stress, also can create sensitive stomachs more prone to acid reflux.

Breathing

The makers of Nexium, a medication used to treat heartburn, say their research indicates a link between acid reflux and improper breathing that occurs under stress. When rapid breathing occurs while food is still being processed in the stomach, it may affect the esophageal valve that controls the acid, causing too much to be released back up into the esophagus. Deep breathing and other relaxation techniques may help to control the condition.

Gastritis

Gastritis is a disease that affects the stomach lining, and often is a major cause of acid reflux. Although stress does not directly create excess stomach acid, according to researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center, it can be a contributor to heartburn when the body is physically stressed from other conditions. Peptic ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders and stomach complications often are linked to stressful lifestyles.