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Heart Burn & Stress

Stress and heartburn are common occurrences among Americans. It's normal to experience some sort of stress in your daily life, but too much stress can actually aggravate heartburn. Then you're left to deal with both your stress and that all-too-common unpleasant, burning sensation in your chest.

  1. The Facts

    • Heartburn is caused by stomach acid or bile backing up into your esophagus. Some common causes of heartburn are: stress, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, hiatal hernia, dry mouth, asthma, connective tissue disorders, diabetes and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Over time, heartburn can cause narrowing of the esophagus and esophageal ulcers, so it is important that you seek treatment for your heartburn if over-the-counter medications aren't working.

    Heartburn Symptoms

    • The main symptom of heartburn is usually a burning sensation that starts in your chest and gradually works it's way up to your throat. It can also cause other symptoms, such as: difficulty swallowing, chest pain, hoarseness, sore throat, dry cough, feeling like there is a lump in your throat and a regurgitation of sour liquid or food. These symptoms may seem harmless, but it is important to talk to your doctor if you believe you are suffering from heartburn, as it increases your risk for esophageal cancer.

    Stress Symptoms

    • Everyone experiences some sort of stress, but too much stress can cause many health problems. Conditions that can be caused or exacerbated by stress include: heart disease, sleep disorders, digestive problems, obesity, depression, skin conditions and autoimmune diseases. Chronic stress can raise blood pressure, increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility and speed up the aging process. Stress can also make you more prone to anxiety attacks.

    Stress Induced Heartburn

    • According to Be Well Stanford, over 50 percent of heartburn episodes were directly linked to stress. During times of stress, your heart pumps more blood to your muscles, giving them the extra boost of energy you need to fight off the cause of your stress. This means that less blood is traveling to your digestive system, which can slower digestion and can trigger heartburn. Also, when you're stressed you may tend to do things that aggravate heartburn, such as smoking or drinking alcohol.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for heartburn starts with over-the-counter medications such as antacids, H-2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Talk to your doctor if you don't feel relief from your heartburn within a few weeks of taking over-the-counter medications. He can prescribe prescription-strength H-2-receptor blockers, prescription-strength proton pump inhibitors and medications that help strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. Surgery may be necessary to correct severe cases, but most heartburn goes away with medication.

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