I had an amazing thing happen today that just proves to me that stress and anxiety (emotion) play a huge part in GERD!!!!
I was fine, having an almost normal day and I saw something that really upset me...with 5 minutes of me seeing this I could feel the pain in my chest and throat begin, the burping began and the nasty acid taste in my mouth began!!! I also am having the shortness of breath and pain in my back. I actually felt it happening, and of course now I am in the midst of a full blown attack.....
I am really cranky, but on the other hand I am totally thrilled because it solidifies one of my biggest theories as well as makes me really rethink my way of treating this monster!!!
I have always known that emotion is a huge component of this thing!!!! At least for me.
Hope all is well, Here's to finding more answers!!!
Crazy;)

I think I really have to agree with you about the connection between GERD and anxiety. I didn't even have GERD until I had anxiety last year. Something that I feel has possibly helped me, though, is eating yogurt. I eat that Dannon Activia and I honestly thinks it helps with the belching. I hadn't eaten it in a few days and today I had the belching again and I had only eaten a bagel with peanut and jelly, although I did have coffee. I think anxiety manisfests itself in all sorts of ways in our body. I walk on the treadmill at night to help de-stress myself and get massages. : )

danni

I'm sure anxiety is a significant trigger for me also. So what can we do to minumize our reaction to the stressfull situation? I'll throw out a few things I've been thinking.

Exercise is supposed to help us deal with stress.

What role does nutrition have? I'm sure there are specific nutrients that help our bodies deal with emotional stress.

Meditation and deep breathing exercises.

Anyone else got some ideas?