GERD & Anxiety: All You Need to Know

Many of our patients ask us: can GERD cause anxiety and panic attacks? While most of us imagine anxiety triggers as being more subliminal, the threat of an acid reflux attack can be and is crippling to some people. In this blog, we’re going to explore why GERD and anxiety might be linked and answer the questions “does GERD cause anxiety” and “how do I overcome anxiety and GERD?”

What Is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition characterized by acid reflux. Patients with GERD experience regular reflux – almost every day or every day – and need to take some kind of medication or use another intervention to abate symptoms. As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, acid reflux can be detrimental to your health and mental state.

Does GERD Cause Anxiety?

So, the real question is: can GERD cause anxiety and panic attacks? 

In reality, if you struggle with anxiety, you know that anything can be a trigger. If GERD is causing your anxiety, you may also have anxious thoughts and feelings when you eat or drink. Some people with GERD-related anxiety struggle with bedtime – knowing that if they shift in their sleep they will wake up with painful reflux and at least a half hour of coughing and throat clearing. Wearing tight clothing or going to parties where there will be food can also trigger GERD-related anxiety.

Can Anxiety Cause GERD?

Unfortunately, GERD-related anxiety can be a cyclical affliction. While our bodies can respond to anxiety and general stress in different ways, a common thread is cortisol production. Cortisol is a hormone that both slows digestion and increases stomach acid secretions (among other things). So, yes – anxiety can certainly negatively contribute to your GERD symptoms; it’s unlikely, however, that anxiety is the sole cause of your GERD symptoms.

Overcoming GERD-Related Anxiety

If you are struggling with GERD-related anxiety, life can be tough. Here are a few things you can try to help you sever that negative feedback loop:

Take Precautions

Just like any other anxiety sufferer, take precautions to avoid your triggers. This involves also avoiding your GERD triggers. For example, avoid eating spicy or fried foods and drinking carbonated beverages.

Manage Your Anxiety Levels

As mentioned, an episode of anxiety can also make matters far worse. You can manage your anxiety levels in a way that works for you – and it may take some time before you figure out what works for you. However, some suggestions might include deep breathing exercises, meditation, prayer, reading a book, listening to music, or even going for a walk.

Treating the Root Cause

Another way to tackle this, if your GERD is the root of your anxiety, is to solve the problem at its source: your lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If this little band of tissue is causing you too much pain, anxiety, and panic, why not get it fixed for good? Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we have three excellent surgical options that will repair your LES and get you back to feeling like yourself. Get in touch with us today.