Answer:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid or food frequently flows back into the esophagus. Symptoms include heartburn, acid reflux, a burning sensation behind the breastbone, and the feeling of fluid or food rising into the throat. Some individuals may also experience difficulty swallowing, a sensation of a lump in the throat, or symptoms that worsen at night.

Stress is not a direct cause of GERD, but it can be a contributing factor that triggers or exacerbates symptoms. Prolonged stress affects the digestive system's function and how the brain perceives stimuli from the esophagus.

Stress also has an indirect impact through a person's lifestyle habits. When work is stressful, many people tend to eat irregularly, eat quickly, have late dinners, or consume excessive coffee or alcohol. These factors can significantly trigger reflux symptoms.

Doctor Nam advises a patient about gastroesophageal reflux disease. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Nam advises a patient about gastroesophageal reflux disease. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Some patients experience heartburn, pain, or a burning sensation due to reflux during stress, even when endoscopy reveals no clear damage to the esophagus. This is because the cause may be related to esophageal hypersensitivity to acid or functional heartburn.

However, heartburn appearing or worsening during periods of stress can also be due to other underlying conditions or esophageal functional disorders. To determine the cause, doctors rely on symptom characteristics, medical history, and treatment progression. Some cases may require upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or specialized tests. Esophageal pH monitoring helps assess and identify reflux when the diagnosis is unclear or a more objective evaluation is needed.

If you frequently experience heartburn and reflux, especially during stress, you should reduce pressure, manage stress, and relax. If symptoms persist, you need to adjust your lifestyle, such as avoiding overeating, not eating close to bedtime or lying down immediately after meals, elevating the head of your bed, maintaining a stable sleep schedule, and exercising regularly.

If lifestyle changes do not improve symptoms, you should consult a doctor to identify the specific cause. Accurately identifying the cause helps doctors choose appropriate treatment methods, limit complications, and improve quality of life.

In some cases of functional heartburn or esophageal hypersensitivity to acid, doctors may consider combining psychological and behavioral interventions with appropriate treatment to alleviate symptoms.

Dr. Hoang Nam

Department of Gastroenterology - Hepatology - Pancreatology

Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi