How Stress Can Cause Or Aggravate GERD

By Eddie Richards

For some GERD sufferers, the burning in their chest at times feel like they may be experiencing a heart attack. Since stress has been known to play a part in causing or aggravating heartburn, we shouldn't be surprised. Managing your stress is vital to your health if you want to lessen the heartburn you endure on a daily basis. Stress and heartburn are connected to each other in some indirect way, even if doctors have yet to find a direct link.

Stress can cause us to do things we wouldn't normally do, like overindulge in food, sleep in the wee hours of the morning, or go on an alcoholic bender - and when heartburn kicks in, it only makes things worse.

If you experience GERD, then you might want to hone in on what stress factors are currently in your life so that you can eliminate them. Are you and your spouse or significant other always fighting? Do you want to quit work? Is it tough financial times or a hectic work schedule? These are all popular stressors in today's workaday world, and they could easily aggravate heartburn by causing a person to go overboard with his or her lifestyle.

Your next step in avoiding stress and heartburn would be to do something productive to release the stress. Can you enroll in counseling or carve some time out for you to relax and enjoy life a bit more?

Getting in shape is another way you can avoid stress, and eventually avoid heartburn and GERD as well. Add exercise to your daily routine if you don't already do it. Losing weight can do a world of good for overweight GERD sufferers, as it helps the digestive system function better, thus reducing the symptoms.

If you just need to unwind and relax, try meditation or massage. These may not be directly responsible for eliminating or avoiding heartburn, but these could all be positive lifestyle changes that could reduce stress big-time and subsequently allow GERD sufferers to at least reduce the frequency in which they experience heartburn.

You could also adjust your choice of music - you may like banging your head to heavy metal or dancing to the latest pop tunes, but smooth jazz and classical are much more effective in relaxing your mind. With a relaxed frame of mind you feel less inclined to indulge in nasty habits such as smoking, drinking, or overeating - all major causes of heartburn.

You could also use humor as a tool to get rid of the ugliness of stress in your life. Find something that makes you laugh, may it be a TV show, movie, or a book of jokes, and channel that positive energy to take away the negative vibes.

Eliminating stress and heartburn doesn't have to take its toll on your funds. Besides, financial stress would only compound your existing situation - there are so many ways you can get rid of GERD and heartburn that don't cost a cent.

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