Stress reflux - causes, symptoms and proper manner of dealing

What is stress reflux?

During the proper functioning of the digestive tract, food from the mouth, after swallowing, goes to the stomach, getting through the throat and esophagus. The esophagus is a kind of tunnel, which contains three stenoses and one of them is the lower sphincter. In normal conditions, the lower sphincter remains in a state of constant tension, and is relaxed only during the passage of food.

When the function of the lower esophageal sphincter is disturbed and its tension is lowered, it ceases to perform its function, which contributes to the occurrence of reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is an unnatural activity of the stomach and is manifested by the shedding of acidic gastric content into the esophagus.

GERD is one of the most popular diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract, which can occur regardless of age and gender. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is often associated with chronic stress, which is why gastroesophageal reflux disease, resulting from the action of stressors, is often referred to as stress reflux.

Stress reflux - causes

The cause of reflux is not entirely known, but as we mentioned earlier, often the disease is correlated with the occurrence of chronic stress, excessive pressure and negative emotions. In addition, the appearance of ailments may contribute factors, such as.:

eating food in a hurry,
sedentary lifestyle - lack of physical activity,
unhealthy and little varied diet,
habitually smoking of cigarettes,
consumption of large amounts of alcohol,
eating spicy food,
excessive body weight,
chronic diseases such as asthma or diabetes,
esophageal hernia,
some drugs taken for a longer period of time.

Symptoms of stress reflux

The symptoms of stress reflux are similar to the symptoms of classic gastroesophageal reflux disease, but among some people struggling with stress reflux, the ailments associated with the disease can rapidly escalate as a result of a stressful situation. Although due to the individual predispositions of the body, everyone may feel slightly different ailments of varying severity, usually during gastroesophageal reflux disease may be observed symptoms, such as:

burning sensation in the esophagus,
abdominal pain, especially in the upper abdomen,
unpleasant smell from the mouth and aftertaste in the back of the mouth,
heartburn,
the feeling of regression the contents of the stomach into the esophagus,
chronic and tiring cough, which can be caused by bronchospasms occurring as a result of irritation of the lower part of the esophagus,
swallowing disorders - difficulty swallowing fluids and foods,
frequent eructation,
nausea,
chest pain.

Among people struggling with stress reflux, there may also be dyspnea, excessive sweating or trembling of the hands, which may be associated with the appearance of a stressful situation.

Often, people struggling with the condition wonder why gastric reflux hurts. This is due to the fact that the acidic content of the stomach is repeatedly thrown into the esophagus, and this in turn promotes the development of inflammation of the mucous membrane. Then may occur unwanted symptoms, such as pain that most often radiates to the neck.

Stress reflux - treatment

In order to apply the right treatment during the occurrence of stress reflux, it is crucial to make the right diagnosis. Stress reflux should be determined by an experienced doctor, which is usually a gastrologist. In order to diagnose the disease, it is usually necessary to perform a number of various tests, including an endoscopic examination. After confirmation of the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, can proceed to appropriate dealing, which may include:

lifestyle changes,
pharmacological treatment,
surgical treatment.

The aim of treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is to eliminate its symptoms and improve the comfort of life of patients. In addition, properly selected treatment may reduce the risk of complications associated with the reflux, such as stomach ulcers.

The treatment of the disease depends on the severity of the symptoms of stress reflux. If an uncomfortable burning sensation occurs occasionally around the sternum, it may be a good idea to use home treatments for the disease. In the case of stronger ailments that cause large discomfort and hinder daily functioning, the solution may be the use of antacids drugs or hydrochloric acid-suppressing pharmaceuticals, which can quickly alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Sometimes, a doctor may also prescribe a patient to use prescription-only medicines - histamine receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors.

When pharmacological treatment does not bring the expected results, surgical treatment may be necessary. Then laparascopic surgery is usually performed, which consists in the formation of a specific cuff around the esophagus, which is the result of stitching the back and front of the stomach.

Stress reflux is a condition that can be a consequence of prolonged stress and nervous tension. A healthy diet and lifestyle changes, as well as medications recommended by doctor can help.

Stress reflux and diet - what foods to eat and what is better to avoid?

When struggling with stress reflux, it is worth paying attention to the importance of a proper diet in alleviating the ailments associated with the disease.

The basic activity during stress reflux is to eliminate or limit the participation in the daily diet of products and foods that cause the intensifying of ailments. It is recommended to give up all kinds of stimulants - alcohol consumption and smoking cigarettes. It is worth excluding fatty and spicy foods from the menu, as well as other components of the diet that may promote the reflux, such as chocolate, mint, coffee or spicy spices. A good solution may also be to give up citrus fruits and carbonated drinks, onions and tomatoes.

In the menu it is worth including ingredients such as oatmeal, bananas or apples. Should also not give up natural yoghurts and milk, as well as boiled, stewed and baked dishes. It is worth eating delicately seasoned, easily digestible dishes.

Stress reflux - how to prevent? 6 natural ways to stress reflux

Except for modifying daily diet, important in alleviating the symptoms and preventing the disease can also be a lifestyle change. What actions should be used to reduce the occurrence of undesirable symptoms and alleviate their course? What to do to prevent stress reflux?

Take care of the correct body weight - overweight and obesity can cause reflux attacks, because excessive kilograms increase the risk of regressing the food content to the esophagus. Therefore, the correct body weight can promote the alleviation of existing ailments.
Avoid tight clothes - body-hugging clothes, and in particular tight pants, may look good, but they certainly do not have a positive effect on your digestive system. Tight clothing can compress the sheet of the stomach and thus increase the risk of the reflux.
Eat food without haste, in small portions - except for limiting or eliminating from the daily menu of products that may intensify the occurrence of undesirable symptoms, it is also worth paying attention to the pace of eating and the size of the consumed portions. Much more beneficial to the digestive system is the slow consumption of food in smaller portions than overeating on the run.
Take care of sleep hygiene - eat the last meal 2-3 hours before bedtime, and during rest, place your head higher than the rest of the body, which will reduce the risk of reversing the food content. Also, sleep for as long as possible to rest. Scientific research indicates that short sleep may contribute to the severity of reflux symptoms.
Find a moment for physical activity - people struggling with stress reflux often lead a sedentary lifestyle, which does not have a positive effect on the occurrence of ailments of the disease. So take a moment every day to do physical activity, which will not only help you strengthen the gastroesophageal reflux barrier, but also facilitate weight reduction. However, remember, to perform activities that do not require torso bends, because these exercises can promote the reflux.
Find a way to relieve emotions - because long-term stress is one of the factors conducive to the occurrence of stress reflux, it is worth taking appropriate actions that can reduce tension. A good solution may be to use relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation, but the way to relieve emotions is an individual matter - everyone can be helped by a different behavior. For some, dance can be an excellent therapy, for others - a conversation with a specialist. Try to find a way to relieve emotions and reduce stress in everyday life, which will definitely have a positive effect on your health and reduce the undesirable symptoms of stress reflux.

Stress reflux - complications and coexisting diseases

Untreated stress reflux or improper treatment during the disease leads to prolonged exposure of the esophageal mucosa to gastric acid, which can lead to the development of inflammation and thus the occurrence of serious complications.

Among people struggling with stress reflux, there may be a esophageal stricture, as well as erosions or ulcers. GERD can also lead to the appearance of Barrett's condition, which is a damage, when combined with a genetic predisposition, can cause transforming the epithelial lining of the esophagus. However, it is worth knowing that the consequences of this condition can be extremely dangerous for the health and life of the patient.

Often, stress reflux is not the only condition that different people have to deal with. The disease sometimes coexists with systemic scleroderma, a chronic disease of connective tissue, which can cause contractures and pain in the joints and weakness of muscle tissue. Sometimes, stress reflux can occur among patients with diabetes, because abnormal serum glucose levels can actively affect the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and promote reflux. In addition, gastroesophageal reflux disease is often associated with gastric neurosis, which can also be the result of prolonged stress and excessive nervous tension.

Bibliography:

Natalia Goździak

Copywriter - nutritionist. Bachelor's degree in sports dietetics She graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in Poznan, while her master's degree in dietoprophylaxis and dietotherapy - from the University of Physical Education in Poznan. at UP in Poznań. However, she treats the principles of healthy eating primarily as valuable guidelines, rather than strict rules that must be strictly followed. Knowledge in the field of copywriting, on the other hand, she draws from courses and industry literature, but since the best way to learn is to practice. learning is practice, she spends many hours each day playing with words and creating new, unique content. content. Privately, she is passionate about photography and can't imagine life without books.

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