Does stress cause acid reflux? Probably not. But it does make an already existing condition worse. For many of us, eating certain foods is a natural reaction to stress. They call those comfort foods. For me comfort foods tend to be higher in fat like french fries or chocolate cake. It is natural to associate stress with acid reflux when it is actually just an indirect relationship.
What are your comfort foods? Are those the same foods that cause your acid reflux to flare up even if you are not under stress. It can be very helpful to pinpoint your trouble foods. Keep a journal of your acid reflux attacks noting the foods you ate just prior and any emotional or stress conditions you were experiencing.
One of the best remedies for stress is exercise which is also a good acid reflux remedy as well. So walking for 30 minutes instead of driving through McDonald’s for french fries has multiple obvious benefits. If you take to the bed in times of high stress levels, don’t eat first and then lie down. Stress–>Eating poorly–>Lying Down. Three strikes.
Another remedy is to supplement your digestive enzymes. If you are naturally unable to digest some of the common comfort foods containing fats, carbohydrates and fiber perhaps you should consider a product such as Ultra-Zymes from Healthy Choice Naturals. Digestive enzyme supplements have also helped many with their IBS, bloating, chronic constipation, gas and lactose intolerance.
