Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD and anxiety disorder have a close relation.
GERD is the condition of reflux of stomach acid from the stomach to the esophagus. Gastric acid that constantly up a week two times can be suspected as GERD.
While anxiety is an anxiety disorder that occurs intensely for months and disrupts daily activities.
The relationship between GERD and anxiety
Studies show, anxiety disorders can worsen symptoms of gastric acid disease.
However, some cases show anxiety and stress are also the trigger of gastric acid rise.
On the other hand, GERD is prone to stress causing distress to cause anxiety disorders.
Some research shows stress and anxiety can trigger as well as exacerbate stomach acid disease.
A study on 2018 involving 16,000 people showed, people who had an anxiety history, an opportunity for GERD to be greater.
From observation results, there are several fundamental reasons why people who have anxiety tend to experience GERD disease:
- Anxiety reduces pressure on the lower sphincter of the esophagus, or the muscle bands regulating the opening of the clep lid in the esophagus. When the valve fails to close, the acidic fluid from the stomach rises into the esophagus.
- Stress and anxiety trigger muscle tension, including the muscles around the abdomen. It can increase the pressure on the organ and induce gastric acid.
- High levels of anxiety can increase the production of gastric acid.
Studies published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology also found the fact that GERD sufferers feel more pain and heartburn while being anxious.
Experts also noted, GERD became the main cause of stress and anxiety for people.
Read also: GERD and Coughing: Correlation, Causes, and How To Prevent It
How to Prevent GERD and Anxiety
Here’s what you can do to prevent GERD and Anxiety:
Maintain weight
The main factor that is behind the onset of GERD and anxiety is excessive weight or obesity. A fat body is not a healthy body, but a body that is vulnerable to illness once affected. Therefore, you should continue to maintain your weight.
Avoiding food triggers gastric acid
Food triggers gastric acid that is a food that has a sour flavor and spicy flavor. The food will make the stomach hurt when you eat it excessively.
Do not sleep after meals
Sleeping after eating is a bad habit to be eliminated. If you want to sleep, try to have a distance of about two hours to eat then you can sleep. In addition to the emergence of GERD and anxiety, the behavior will make health worse.
Avoid caffeine in coffee
Drinking coffee is reasonable, if you drink too much coffee, then the caffeine that is in the coffee will make your stomach acid rise, of course it will cause pain that is accompanied by the level of anxiety that occurs.
Avoid smo**king
Smo**king is a behavior that should be avoided. This is because cigarette smoke will settle in the stomach, causing stomach acid to rise, so GERD and anxiety cannot be avoided.
Avoid excessive stress
Did you know that your condition of excessive stress will cause GERD and anxiety to prevent this from happening, you should always think positively and not too much to question the things that can be said trivial.
Read also: How To Cure GERD Permanently
Traveling Tips for people with GERD and Anxiety Disorder
So, how are safe traveling tips for people with GERD and anxiety? Here are the tips traveling for people with GERD and anxiety disorder:
Good preparation
We must make plans and preparations carefully before holidays.
- First, collect the courage to move against fear. Act!
- Secondly, determine the destination that suits to you. For example, not strong at a cool, avoid traveling in the mountainous regions.
- Third, prepare the stock. Besides food, also prepare other necessities such as eucalyptus oil, mineral water, ginger powder that can be brewed on the way. If necessary, bring warm water in a thermos. Usually warm water can be bought at the tourist spot. So, simply bring ginger powder, turmeric powder, and other herbal tea ingredients in the form of powder.
What if Anxiety strikes in the middle of the journey?
The relapse is sure to have triggered. For example, fear of crowds, will appear sensation when in the crowd. Calm down, pull over, find a slightly loose place. Try to calm down, set your breath. Use the breathing technique 478 which is to shut your mouth and breathe gently through the nose in 4 counts. Hold your breath in 7 counts. Take a breath through your mouth in one breath for 8 counts.
Tips to help deal with Anxiety attacks.
- Look around you.
- Discover 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
What if GERD relapse in the middle of travel?
This is why it is important to carry lunch. As long as the stomach is not being empty, it is safe. Just snacking during the trip. Remember, for the stomach like this, you have to eat a little but often. The stomach should at least be filled in two hours. So, bring a meal for snacking. The safe is the fruit snacking.
