Yes, stress can cause indigestion or worsen existing symptoms. Stress impacts digestion in several ways, influencing acid production and gut bacteria balance.
How Stress Affects Digestion
Several sources confirm a link between stress and digestive issues. Stress can:
- Increase stomach acid production: This heightened acidity can trigger or exacerbate heartburn and acid reflux, leading to indigestion. Harvard Health and Samitivej Hospitals both note the connection between stress and increased stomach acid, a primary cause of indigestion.
- Alter gut microbiota: Stress disrupts the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut, potentially causing stomach upset and indigestion. University of Chicago Medicine highlights the impact of stress on gut bacteria.
- Affect digestive speed: Stress can either speed up or slow down digestion. A faster digestive process might lead to diarrhea, while slower digestion can result in constipation and bloating, both contributing to indigestion. The NHS explains this dual effect of stress on digestive speed.
- Increase sensitivity to acid: Stress can make you more sensitive to even small amounts of stomach acid in the esophagus, increasing the likelihood of experiencing heartburn and indigestion. Healthline details this mechanism.
- Worsen existing conditions: While stress doesn't directly cause conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it can worsen symptoms. Henry Ford Health System points out this important distinction.
Stress-induced indigestion is often associated with conditions like acid reflux (GERD) and heartburn. PEPCID and GoodRx connect stress to these conditions. MedlinePlus (https://medlineplus.gov/indigestion.html) explicitly states that stress can cause or worsen indigestion.
