Can indigestion be caused by stress?

[Janieread]

Background - fil died a few months ago, I visited him every day and dh is a bit broken. My dsis then had a liver transplant which went badly, and I had to go and look after my niece (3 hour drive) as dsis single parent and had noone else, plus be my dsis next of kin and go into London to visit as often as possible. I have three kids of my own. No doubt life has been stressful but I'm coping well APART from terrible indigestion and a feeling that I have a hard block in my stomach and a smaller one in my throat. I take hrt and am in mid 50s. Gaviscon doesn't seem to help. Could this 'just' be a manifestation of stress, as on the surface I'm jolly and coping!

It sounds like it could be, and sounds exactly how I have felt at times of huge stress. I don't tend to feel "stressed" if you see what I mean, but I get lots of physical symptoms that tell me I'm not coping as well as I think.

Absolutely could be. I am an acupuncturist and I see it all the time.

That's interesting. Definitely feels like a 'blockage'. Bit scared of how I might react when it's cleared tbh.

Yeah I think I'm the same. Stay mentally well but something physical happens.

As others have said it's most likely stress. Your body is in a quasi permanent state of fight which contract the digestive tract and can disturb digestion. Plus stress disturbs the pH of your digestive tract which can decimate your gut flora and lead to suboptimal digestion. What do you eat and how's your sleep? Best of luck!

Yes definitely. I had the exact same whilst going through a very stressful time with work.

I was referred for an endoscopy. After the procedure the consultant told me that there was nothing physically wrong but asked if I was experiencing stress or anxiety. He explained that without knowing how you are doing it you tense your stomach when you are stressed and anxious which then forces stomach acid up the oesophagus. He recommended mindfulness exercises and meditation.

If you look up ‘globus’ it sounds quite like this. Stress is a big trigger 💐

You need to see your GP, to rule out anything serious.

Yes, but do see your GP.

Also worth keeping a food/drink diary