Stressed out? You may feel it in your gut too! Almost everyone has experienced an occasional bout of heartburn. It is a burning sensation in the chest caused by acid reflux, where stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus. While smoking, alcohol, poor eating habits are the underlying factors of acid reflux, stress can worsen its symptoms. It makes you more sensitive to slight increases in stomach acid levels. The resulting pain can be an annoyance in your daily life, which adds to your stress. That can turn into a vicious cycle.
Many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications are used to manage heartburn. These treatments work in different ways and have varying adverse effects such as headaches, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, etc.
