Heartburn is experienced as a burning sensation felt in the chest. Most people will feel this discomfort after eating. Others get symptoms in the evening, upon bending over, or when lying down. Heartburn is common and can generally be treated with lifestyle or diet changes and the short-term use of medication.
What are heartburn and acid reflux?
Heartburn occurs when there is increased acid or increased sensitivity to acid in the stomach. Acid reflux is when this acid splashes up into the back of the throat, causing a burning sensation. Both conditions can (and generally do) occur together.
Does stress cause or increase heartburn?
The link between stress and heartburn has not been established. Experts are still unsure whether stress increases the amount of acid produced in the stomach or if we simply become more sensitive to acid.
Stress can present itself in various ways, some more obvious than others. Do you have an important event, such as a big presentation, a work deadline, or an exam? Are you going through a challenging life event, such as grief, changing job/course, or moving home? Have you been affected by global events such as the covid-19 pandemic? Is your day disrupted and anxiety increased by your surroundings, such as noisy construction in your locality? An increase in heartburn and acid reflux could be caused by these and many other factors.
How does stress increase symptoms?
In addition, stress may effect our brain in making us more sensitive to pain. This includes a heightened sensitivity towards acid production. More importantly, stress can cause physiological changes in our stomach, allowing acid and other contents to splash back into the throat. This results in a burning sensation in the chest and throat and giving us a bad taste in the mouth.
How can you decrease stress?
Adopting some lifestyle changes can help reduce heartburn and acid reflux and the risk of developing other conditions such as heart disease or depression. Some recommended lifestyle changes in this case are:
- Exercising regularly, preferably outdoors
- Avoiding trigger foods, particularly acidic foods, e.g., spicy foods, fatty foods, tomatoes, alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate.
- Taking healthy foods; eating mindfully and slowly
- Getting enough quality sleep and relaxation time
- Taking up relaxation techniques such as meditation
- Seeking the help of a professional, such as a therapist, when needed
Tackling heartburn and acid reflux with Emazole Control
Emazole Control is used in adults for the short-term treatment of reflux symptoms, for example, heartburn and acid reflux. It contains esomeprazole, a molecule that belongs to the class of medicines referred to as ‘proton pump inhibitors’ or PPIs.
PPIs are considered an essential medicine by the World Health Organisation. They are among the most widely used medications in the world.
Improvement of symptoms will be felt within 2-3 days of taking Emazole Control. The duration of the treatment is up to 2 consecutive weeks. Upon complete relief of symptoms, the treatment should be stopped.
When to seek medical help
If you find that your symptoms are not improving within 2 weeks of continuous treatment with Emazole Control, you should consult a doctor.
Sources:
- Can Stress Cause Acid Reflux? (n.d.). Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/stress
- Proton pump inhibitors: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000381.htm
