Acid Indigestion & Stress

Acid indigestion can be a chronic, painful and debilitating complication. Worse, it is typically aggravated or induced by stress. Therefore, everyday activities or situations that promote anxiety may ultimately hinder the natural process of digestion. Symptoms associated with stress-related indigestion are many and include ulcers, pain, internal bleeding, cramping and nausea.

Significance

• Stress releases hormones and other substances in the body. These include epinephrine, fatty acids and glucose, all of which have different effects on the body. Symptoms commonly associated with stress include decreased blood flow to the skin, sexual dysfunction, headaches, nausea and acid indigestion. In regards to acid indigestion, stress will typically aggravate symptoms already present, such as heartburn and acid-reflux, and may lead to the development of other stomach complications.

Heartburn

• Heartburn is characterized by a sensation of burning at the base of the esophagus. It is caused by an overproduction of acid within the stomach that weakens the base of the esophagus. Stress directly alters the hormone signals and nerve impulses that aid in the digestion of foods that produce high levels of acid, such as those high in fat or citrus. The result is indigestion associated with heartburn, diarrhea or stomachaches. Poor practices commonly associated with stress, such as smoking and eating on the run, can also lead to heartburn.

Abdominal Cramping

• Abdominal cramping is a symptom commonly associated with emotional stress. Tension created by emotional stress tends to breed additional bouts of anxiety or worry. As a result, emotional stress produces a cycle in which stress hormones are released on a continual, sometimes exponential level. This may cause a physiological breakdown of bodily systems, including the digestive tract, that ultimately causes abdominal cramping and indigestion. A high degree of pain or muscular spasms in the lining of the stomach may accompany abdominal cramping.

GERD

• GERD stands for gastro-esophageal reflux disorder. It is a disorder that results in chronic indigestion, often aggravated by stress. GERD causes a small flap of tissue known as the esophageal sphincter to function improperly. The esophageal sphincter is responsible for keeping the contents of the stomach contained. Dysfunction caused by GERD results in stomach contents backtracking into the esophagus. This causes nausea associated with a sensation of burning in the esophagus.

Prevention/Solution

• Because indigestion is common, there are several remedies available to treat it. Taking antacids such as Alka-Seltzer provide a quick and easy way to reduce stomach acid and pain. Choosing to eliminate smoking, caffeinated drinks, alcohol and carbonated beverages may also help reduce indigestion and stress over time. Choosing to engage in activities that promote stress regulation, such as yoga, tai chi, massage and relaxation therapy have also been known to help with indigestion.