How does stress contribute to heartburn?
Gastrointestinal symptoms have long been associated with stress, fear, and anxiety. The perception of heartburn can increase during stress. Numerous clinical studies confirm the correlation between stress and heartburn. A recent heartburn survey reported that stress was associated with more than 50% of heartburn episodes. Stress also can contribute to reflux by causing heartburn sufferers to engage in behaviors that trigger acid production (i.e., turning to high-fat comfort foods, smoking, drinking caffeine, or eating late at night). Stressful life events (anxiety, tension, and stress) can increase sensitivity to refluxed acid, reducing the threshold for pain and increasing the frequency and/or severity of heartburn symptoms.
