GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is a condition in which the flow of food from the mouth down into the esophagus and then the stomach backs up. This can cause discomfort such as heartburn or a sour or bitter taste in the mouth.
Many laypeople think GERD is caused by consuming certain foods or drinks, but it turns out it can also be caused by overthinking or stress. Is that true? Let's check out this article!
The Relationship Between Stress, Hormones, and Gastric Disorders
When the body experiences stress, the brain goes into a state of alert and releases the hormones cortisol and adrenaline. These two hormones play a crucial role in the "fight or flight" response, but if released continuously, they can have physical effects, including on the stomach.
Some things that happen when you are stressed include:
- The release of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline increases excessively.
- Gastric acid production also increases due to the influence of stress hormones.
- There are uncomfortable symptoms in the stomach , such as heartburn, bloating, or a burning sensation in the chest.
Why Does GERD Not Get Better Despite Treatment?
Many patients with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) have seen internists repeatedly, even undergoing endoscopies, but their symptoms persist. After further investigation, it turns out the underlying cause isn't just the stomach, but also anxiety and overthinking.
If the root cause stems from excessive anxiety or prolonged stress, medical treatment alone is insufficient. Without addressing the source of the stress, therapy and medication may not provide optimal results, as GERD stems from psychological factors.
GERD Can Be Triggered by Physical and Mental Factors
Meanwhile, if a GERD patient experiences improvement after taking medication from a doctor, it is most likely due to physical factors.
However, it could be a combination of physical and mental factors that cause someone to experience GERD.
It could also be both, therefore collaboration is needed (physical treatment from an internal medicine specialist and a psychiatrist).
GERD Can Trigger Anxiety and Depression
People with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) have a higher risk of developing mental disorders such as anxiety and depression than those without GERD. In fact, the risk can be up to two times greater. This is because disturbing GERD symptoms often trigger excessive worry.
Some things that can cause anxiety in GERD sufferers include:
- Discomfort in the chest , such as pain or a burning sensation.
- The habit of searching for information on the internet about the symptoms of pain that are felt, when searching on the internet heart disease appears, this actually increases feelings of anxiety.
- Uncertainty about the cause of symptoms , because without a clear medical examination, a person may continue to feel worried about their body condition.
Therefore, it's important to determine the cause of chest pain through appropriate tests, including heart function tests and potential GERD-related disorders . A clear diagnosis can reduce anxiety and make treatment more effective.
Getting to Know GERD Better
GERD is reflux, or the backflow of stomach contents upward. The stomach contents that rise upward can be food or drink recently consumed or stomach fluids that rise into the throat, as explained by Dedy.
Typical symptoms of GERD include heartburn and a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. Other symptoms of GERD include:
- Lots of mucus in the esophagus
- Persistent cough
- The feeling of constantly wanting to clear my throat
- Feeling choked in the neck
GERD occurs when the valve, or opening between the esophagus and stomach, weakens. This can be temporary or permanent.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you frequently experience chest pain, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or sleep disturbances due to acid reflux, don't delay seeing a doctor. These symptoms could be signs of GERD or even heart disease, so a medical examination is essential to determine the exact cause.
Your doctor will help determine whether your symptoms are caused by physical factors, such as stomach problems, or psychological factors like stress and anxiety. With a proper diagnosis, you can receive comprehensive treatment, both medical and mental, to prevent recurrence of symptoms and maintain your quality of life.
This article is based on the Healthy Monday program, a collaboration between EMC Healthcare and Liputan6, with resource persons Dr. Dedy G. Sudrajat, Sp.PD, KGEH, FINASIM (Internal Medicine Specialist, Gastro Entero Hepatology Consultant, EMC Grha Kedoya Hospital) & Dr. Eva Suryani, Sp.KJ ( Mental Health Specialist (Psychiatrist) EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).