Why And How Does Stress Promote Gastric Reflux?

Gastric Reflux

For the past few weeks, you have suffered from unexplained gastric reflux. What if it was due to stress? Find out here why stress makes your life’s heartburn worse and how to get rid of it.

What Is Gastric Reflux?

Our stomach is endowed with gastric juices, acidic substances whose role is to facilitate our digestion. The esophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle fibers that acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach, is essential to prevent stomach fluid’s backflow from back up into the esophagus.

Gastroesophageal reflux is the consequence of a malfunction of this esophageal sphincter, causing part of the stomach contents to rise into the esophagus. That is to say, the duct connecting it to the esophagus—the mouth. The gastric juice then attacks the lining of the esophagus and causes burns that go up to the throat, and acid regurgitation gives a bitter taste in the mouth.

Many factors promote gastric reflux: hiatus hernia, abdominal hypertension (especially in obesity or overweight), bariatric surgery, certain medications, tobacco, caffeine, spices, alcohol. But heartburn can also be caused by stress or anxiety.

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Why And How Does Stress Promote Gastric Reflux?

When we are faced with a stressful situation, our body goes on alert to defend itself. Physiological reactions follow one another to fight the danger or flee. Once the stressful episode is dealt with, everything is back to normal, and life resumes. But if the stress becomes chronic, the body can no longer cope. He sounds the alarm bell because he feels in danger. We then see a series of recurring physical symptoms that are difficult to manage: stomach aches, intense heart palpitations, eczema, constipation, nausea, high blood pressure, but also gastric lifts.

One of the most common causes of gastric reflux is stress. Stress also weakens the esophageal wall, which then becomes much more sensitive to acidity.

Recurrent gastric reflux can lead to long-term esophagitis, which is inflammation of the esophagus. It can cause certain complications such as ulcerations, severe digestive bleeding, or cancerous lesions in 10% of cases if they are not taken care of in time.

Gastric Reflux Due To Stress

Modify your eating behavior to act on your gastric reflections due to stress

Eating well is right for your physical health, but also your mental health. In short, the better you eat, the more “zen” you will be, and the less heartburn you will have! How? ‘Or’ What? By adopting these few essential rules for good food hygiene:

  • With meals, take small bites and chew them very slowly so that your stomach produces fewer acid secretions. Nothing like it to fight your stress and pamper your digestive system!
  • Avoid spicy dishes. But I also fermented cheeses, chocolate, alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks.
  • Favor cooked vegetables and fruits, grains, nuts, and lean meats that improve transit and do not harm your stomach.
  • Do not drink with meals and eat relatively “light” to not weigh down your stomach before going to bed.

Use behavioral and cognitive therapies to stop suffering from stress and say goodbye to your permanent gastric reflux

Your gastric reflux only the consequence of stress installed for a long time and only seeks to express itself. But to eradicate these digestive disorders that damage your stomach, it would be good to start a therapy aimed at acting upstream, that is to say, on your chronic anxiety.

Base on behavioral and cognitive therapies, the TheraSerena program can help you stop being overwhelmed by your emotions and finally regain your serenity thanks to ambitious techniques to manage your stress and act on the symptoms that accompany it.

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