The Link between Anxiety and Heartburn
Many people wonder if there is a link between anxiety and heartburn. It is a logical question, since stress causes so many physical symptoms. If you think of any of the physical ailments we tend to have, many of them can be caused or exacerbated by stress. And when a person has anxiety, the more they think about it and focus on it, the worse it gets. It can help to think about other things rather than focusing on the situation.
The Anxiety and Heartburn Connection
Stress and anxiety can really take its toll on both our bodies and our minds. Often, the first time a person will have heartburn symptoms will be when they are under an unusual amount of stress. This is because the stomach tends to produce more acid than usual when the body is under stress. It can also be a sort of "chicken or the egg" situation, as acid reflux can sometimes cause the heart to race, which can feel like an anxiety or panic attack. Anxiety and heartburn can feed off each other.
What Can Be Done about Anxiety and Heartburn?
There are many stress management techniques that can be done to help the body cope with anxiety and heartburn, with the goal of lessening both. Some ideas include therapy (with perhaps anti-anxiety medication), exercise, eating healthier, losing excess weight, meditation and/or yoga, and deep muscle relaxation.
Since anxiety can be quite serious and even lead to serious depression in some instances, it is important to take these symptoms seriously and do what you can to take care of the anxiety. The same is true of frequent bouts of heartburn, since heartburn can be caused by something serious - both anxiety and heartburn deserve serious consideration and a valiant attempt to make the situation better.
What Not to Do for Anxiety and Heartburn
Many things can make heartburn worse. Heartburn is most common after overeating, when bending over or when lying down. It can also be irritated by coughing, or wearing clothing that is too tight and puts excess pressure on your stomach. Pregnancy can also lead to heartburn, as well as anxiety.
Certain foods should be avoided if heartburn and anxiety are an issue - foods like highly acidic ones (tomatoes and tomato products, citrus fruits), greasy or fatty foods, and irritating drinks like coffee and alcohol. Smoking will also make heartburn worse, as well as chocolate and peppermint. Eating smaller meals is best, and if you can avoid lying down for a few hours after eating, that can also help with heartburn and anxiety.
