“Gastrointestinal signs are a typical bodily manifestation of tension,” says Dr. Vasan. TikTok person @alwaysanxiety is among the many whose nervousness impacts their GI tract. In a latest video, they wrote, “I used to be shocked once I discovered that nervousness may cause extreme gagging, elevated acid reflux disease, a burning throat/chest, hiccups, and fixed nausea.” Thus far, the video’s garnered over 2.2 million views and greater than 2,580 feedback, lots of which come from individuals who can relate.
“A gagging reflex is a defensive response on your physique,” Dr. Vasan says. She offers the instance of making an attempt to swallow a bit of meals too giant on your throat being one thing that may set off it. “However for some, nervousness can set off this identical defensive/protecting response,” she says. “This can be associated to a previous dangerous expertise with choking or problem swallowing.”
How do you deal with gagging and elevated acid reflux disease resulting from nervousness?
Initially, it’s vital to make sure it’s the nervousness inflicting the problem, not one other medical drawback.
“You wish to test in along with your physician to rule out different bodily circumstances first,” Dr. Vasan says. After that, it’s all about engaged on minimizing your nervousness. “Take a stroll in nature, hearken to music, and interact in one thing inventive like drawing or coloring,” she suggests. These actions can soothe your nervous system and reduce the frequency and severity of the gagging and acid reflux disease, Dr. Vasan says.
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She additionally recommends actions resembling deep breathing to help regulate the body, in addition to paying attention to when the reflux and gagging are occurring. “Maintain observe of what is perhaps inflicting the nervousness and thus triggering the gag reflex and acid reflux disease,” says Dr. Vasan. “A journal or the notes perform in your smartphone will be useful for this. This may help you to get to the foundation reason for your nervousness and discover methods to alleviate it all through your life.” Alternatively, or moreover, think about looking for assist or steering from a psychological well being skilled.
