The Increase of Acid Reflux

STRESS CAN TRIGGER YOUR REFLUX

More patients and people are reporting an increase in reflux. The theory is that the increase in reflux is due to the increase in stress. For over a year now, we have been experiencing historical events, our lives have been altered quite a bit, and there is always that underlying stress of the unknown of what is next. 

The Nature of Reflux

Reflux, or commonly called acid reflux, is a condition characterized by a burning pain, referred to as heartburn, in the area below the chest. This happens when there’s a backflow of stomach acid to the food pipe or esophagus. Most often, this occurs after eating. 

An individual who experiences acid reflux quite twice every week is diagnosed as having GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD is the most common gut complaint among Americans accounting for an estimated 30%  of the population. Chronic heartburn may signal serious medical attention. Many people are choosing to pop the antacid pills, but at what cost?

Your stomach produces hydrochloric acid, the strong acid that breaks down the food you have eaten while at the same time protects against pathogens. Your stomach walls are already adapted to this powerful acid, however, your esophagus is made of a different type of tissue.

A muscular valve, called the gastroesophageal sphincter, joins the esophagus and the stomach. It has the main function of controlling the food entering the stomach, ensuring it doesn’t flow back to the esophagus. When this fails, the food within the stomach is regurgitated to the esophagus, causing acid reflux. With this, you’re experiencing the symptoms of heartburn or GERD.

Risk Factors of GERD

Nowadays, GERD has become a common ailment regardless of age. Most often, quality of lifestyle has been singled out as the contributing risk factor. This could include obesity, passive smoking, low level of exercise, and side effects of medications and drugs such as antihistamines, painkillers, sedatives, and antidepressants.

Pregnancy can even cause acid reflux due to the additional pressure on the internal organs. Dietary habits that might trigger include caffeine, alcohol, chocolates, salty foods, low fiber, carbonated drinks, acidic juices, eating large meals, and lying down right after eating, 

It was further concluded that work-related stressors are the key contributory factors to individuals affected by GERD symptoms. But with the current conditions, the increase in GERDS and acid reflux symptoms may be from the stress of living in a Corona Virus world. Individuals who have low job satisfaction were likely to have symptoms than those with high job satisfaction. A published study in Internal Medicine has reported that stress is the biggest factor that worsens the symptoms, even under medication.

Reflux and Stress

When you are stressed, you’re likely to be sensitive to stomach acid present, regardless of the amount, in your esophagus. This leads to a sense of discomfort and more painful symptoms.

Researchers theorize that stress turns up pain receptors within the brain, making you more sensitive to slight increases in acid level. Stress would also inhibit the production of prostaglandins which are responsible for protecting your stomach from the strong effects of acid. Thus, these factors agitate your feelings of discomfort. 

Whatever happens to the brain and body, individuals who have acid reflux are certain that stress, in addition to exhaustion, can create more discomfort and may worsen the symptoms. Thus, lifestyle factors could also be closely considered. You can calm down your stomach by engaging in some helpful coping techniques.

Coping with stress can significantly reduce your risk of serious ailments such as heart disease, stroke, obesity, and depression. The better you cope up with stress, the better for your overall wellness.

Managing stress includes chiropractic care, regular physical exercise, meditation, and yoga. Losing weight may reduce the pressure on your abdomen. Getting enough sleep can also reduce stress and avoid trigger foods such as caffeine, spicy foods, fatty foods, and citrus fruits and juices. 

Learn to prioritize your activities. Turn down those activities, especially work-related, which you think are beyond your capabilities. Also, engage in some relaxation techniques like yoga, relaxing music, and engaging with your hobbies that cause you to feel relieved from stress. Spending time with family and friends can even destress yourself.

Chiropractic Care and Acid Reflux

Spinal and postural misalignments can cause GERD. The altered alignments may inhibit the stomach muscle reflex that’s critically important for digestion and transport of food to the intestines. This complex reaction caused by altered spinal alignment is what ends up in GERD in many cases.

Another factor considered is the neurological effect. Spinal abnormalities and misalignments may put unnecessary pressure on the spinal nerves. Since the nervous system controls every function of the human body, including the function of our vital organs, it would be apparent that inhibited nerve activity may hamper the normal functioning of the stomach.

Nerve interference can affect the amount of nerve energy reaching the stomach. When left untreated, the stomach and digestive tract become dysfunctional, and symptoms of GERD increase. Spinal adjustment will likewise strengthen the back muscles thereby reducing pressure on the internal organs and restoring their normal function, including the stomach.

No matter your dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes, or medications you are taking, the source of GERD may not go away unless your spinal misalignments are addressed and corrected.

With the stress of our current world, it is important to give yourself some space and grace to heal and manage the stress. Finding the right health team is a great way to start.