Do symptoms like nausea, heartburn, bloatedness have psychological causes i.e. anxiety?

Doctor's Answer

Photo of Dr Wai Leong Quan
Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

The emotional status of a person is closely related to symptoms from the digestive tract. These symptoms include:

  • pain,
  • bloating,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • constipation
  • and diarrhoea.

As stress is known to induce more acid production and gastric spasms, acid reflux and heartburn may potentially get worse as well.

Feeling stressed, anxious and depressed at times are emotional states many of us face on a day-to-day basis. Understanding this relationship between symptoms from the digestive tract and the mind, also widely known as the gut-brain-axis, is important for one to manage his or her symptoms.

Identifying and managing your mood swings can help you manage the symptoms to a large extent. However, if your problem persists, do consider seeing your family doctor to exclude other significant problems from your digestive tract.

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