Relations GERD and Panic Disorders - Lately more and more patients with gastric complaints were diagnosed as GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disorder). What is the relationship of GERD with psychiatric disorders, especially panic anxiety disorder?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or when translated literally referred to as gastric disease due to reflux of stomach acid is a common health problem that causes a burning sensation in the chest (known term heartburn) and regurgitation of gastric acid from the stomach.
If we eat, then to digest the food we eat, our stomach will be filled with stomach acid. During the stomach acid that remains in the stomach and do its job, no problem. But, when this acid up into the esophagus, we will experience the symptoms of heartburn. Moreover, these acids are regurgitated into the esophagus, we may experience a burning sensation in the throat and a very unpleasant taste in our mouths.
What causes GERD?
The esophagus is the muscular tube like channel that connects the mouth to the stomach. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a ring of muscle that closes the "door" of the stomach from the esophagus when we do not eat. When we eat, this muscle will relax to allow food into the esophagus to the stomach. LES then closes again so that the food in the stomach will not go back into the esophagus. In conditions of GERD, the LES is not functioning properly to prevent acid reflux.
Anxiety and depression increase the risk of GERD
According to the research has been done, both anxiety and depression associated with a risk two to four times that of GERD disease. Some researchers believe that brain chemical called cholecystokinin (CCK), which has been associated with panic and indigestion, may play a role in the onset of GERD in people with anxiety disorders. Other factors that enable and contribute to is when people are anxious they tend to precipitate or aggravate stomach acid reflux into the esophagus.
What can be done?
Biopsychosocial approach to the concept of common medical conditions are best. This means that patients need to be addressed in addition to GERD medical physical problems associated with reflux of stomach acid conditions also need to be addressed anxiety that is often associated with anxiety disorders and depression panic. In practice, when a state of anxiety panic properly resolved, the complaint could stomach much reduced even good at all.
Proper governance and a thorough needs to be done to remember if untreated, acid reflux can cause inflammation of the lining of the esophagus that would lead to difficulty swallowing, chronic chest pain, and can even lead to esophageal cancer.
As disclosed above that anxiety and depression can aggravate GERD disease up to several fold, so it's good handling of patients with severe GERD who are also experiencing high anxiety conditions, either due to psychological background or because they think the illness need to be dealt with mental health conditions. This is pursued in order to get maximum results in the cure of disease cases of GERD.
