ACID REFLUX & GERD UNPLUGGED

WHY STRESS - NOT ACID - MIGHT BE YOUR REAL VILLAIN

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You know that burning sensation creeping up your chest after a heavy dinner? That sour taste at the back of your throat at 2 a.m.? That little cough that just won't quit?

Welcome to the world of acid reflux and GERD — where your stomach acid decides to take a wrong turn and invade territory it doesn’t belong in.

For years, we've blamed reflux on too much acid. Cue the endless antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and “don’teat-spicy-food” sermons. But here’s the plot twist:

The problem often isn’t too much acid — it’s acid in the wrong place, thanks to a stressed-out muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

And yes, your stress levels, sleep habits, and eating patterns might be pulling the strings behind the scenes.

GERD vs. Acid Reflux: What's the Difference?

Before we dive deeper, let's decode the two terms:

Acid Reflux - When stomach acid occasionally flows back into your esophagus, causing heartburn, bloating, or regurgitation.

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) - The chronic, more severe form of reflux, where this backflow happens frequently, damaging the esophagus over time.

In short: Reflux is the symptom; GERD is the condition. And here’s the kicker — stress, poor sleep, and processed food habits can trigger both.

The Hidden Culprit: A “Leaky” LES

At the bottom of your esophagus sits the lower esophageal sphincter — a small circular muscle with a big job.

Think of it as the security guard at the club called “Your Stomach”.

When you swallow food, it opens to let it in.

Then it closes tightly to keep stomach acid where it belongs.

But when the LES becomes weak, floppy, or over-relaxed, stomach acid slips past it into the esophagus — causing the classic burn, bloating, cough, and discomfort.

One of the biggest culprits behind this dysfunction? Chronic stress — and poor lifestyle choices magnify its effects.