GERD and IBS triggered by stress?

I am a 28 y/o male Soldier in the U.S. Army, and have an unusually high level of daily stress. Last year, I was diagnosed with IBS, and for the last six months I have been showing symptoms of GERD (though I have not seen a Dr. about it, I went on Zantac instead) Recently, I have upped my dose of Zantac to 225 mg daily (3x75 mg, 1 every 8 hours). Tums and Rolaids do not help with either my indigestion or heartburn. Recently my stool has been softer and occasionally very dark, but never "tarry". I have noticed, however, that while I was on leave, and visiting family, my GERD and IBS symptoms lessened considerably and flared up again after a couple of very stressful days at work. I do not smoke or drink, I am 6'2" at 190 lbs, in decent shape. To lessen my heartburn symptoms, I have given up grapefruit juice, any food with a tomato based sauce, and quartered my caffeine intake. does anyone know of a link between irritable bowel syndrome, Gastro Esophegal Reflux Disease and stress?

Most definitely! As an IBS sufferer of over 20 years, I know there is a link. My trouble started after a bout of ecoli poisoning, which has left me with food intolerances, food sensitivity, chemical sensitivity and low fibre IBS-D.

Stress definitely makes it worse; it concentrates all the acids and makes the body bloat; it tenses muscles that your intestines need to process the foods and then traps wind too. It's not fun, is it?!

I try to stick to natural, unprocessed foods as much as possible. I avoid as much dairy as possible (take calcium supplements instead) and take a daily B complex vitamin to aid digestion.

I think your best bet is to keep a food diary for a few weeks, then see a doctor. It's the best way to remember what you ate that triggered a spasm, and also allows your doctor to see any underlying links in trigger factors.

A lot of trigger factors in both GERD and IBS are down to distinct intolerances: dairy, wheat, gluten, processed food, saturated fats.

(If you're not sure how to keep a food diary, pm me)

Best site on the internet for GERD and IBS is this one - it is literally a fountain of knowledge -

http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums

it is free to join, and although not posting, I've been gathering (harvesting!) information from there for a long time now.

I would also recommend some type of stress relief - whether it is meditation, yoga or something like playing computer games or cards. Twenty minutes of this after work, and before getting on with your home life, can prevent a spasm, or sufficiently relieve one to let you get through it with less pain.

If you've any specific questions you need to ask but don't want to put them on the answer board, just pm me. I'll help if I can!

Good luck - let me know how you get on.

SURE AND WHAT FOODS YOUR EATING? I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM:( YEAH IT SUCKS BELIEVE ME I LOVE SALADS ABD YET CANNOT EAT THEM!!!1::( I AM ON MORE MEDS THE YOU, PROTONIX, CARAFATE, REGLAN & ZANTAC STRESS CAN ALWAYS DO IT!!!!!! YOU SHOULD GO BACK TO YOUR DOCTOR!!!!! GL:) TO ME THEY ARE ALL THE AME TALK TO YOUR DOC, A.S.A.P.

I used to have GERD and IBS, until I found the IBS was gluten intolerance. It may be that you are allergic to something you frequently eat. Try rotating your diet, there are several books out there on how to do this. Also, there are licorice tablets at the health food store that can help with the GERD, they taste bad, but they work. Both things can be helped by going to see a good chiropractor.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very difficult disorder and there is no permanent cure for this ailment with modern medicines. The patient has to correct his dietary habits and change his living style to continue living with it for his entire life. There are two major problems with IBS; one suffers from chronic diarrhea and second from unsatisfactory bowel movements. Recently, I have cured a patient suffering from IBS with herbal medicine since he was suffering for the last three years and did not find a cure any where in the world. He had visited many renowned Endocrinologists in this city for the last three years but since doctors do not have any cure for IBS, they have simply not been any good help to him. There are Ayurvedic and herbal medicines available to correct the suffering of IBS with proper food management. Coffee is totally bad for IBS and should be avoided. All meaty stuffs, hot, spicy, junk food, aerated cold drinks, milk products, sour fruits, alcohol and tobacco should be totally avoided. You must eat lots of vegetables and salad consisting of cucumber, lettuce and carrot. Watermelon, Muskmelon and Cantaloupe fruits are best recommended for IBS. In this ailment, the cells of stomach and colon become sluggish (similar to worn out type) and due to this reason, the stomach is unable to accept certain foods and drinks due to continuous strain of diarrhea and constipation.

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is mainly due to formation of excessive acid in the stomach that overflows through esophageal valve and reaches the mouth region when one sleeps immediately after meal so you must avoid sleeping just after having meals. I am happy that you are still serving the US Army but I have already finished my career with armed forces many years ago. In case you trust my words, try to keep in touch through IM since I am not allowed to disclose my identity here and understand your sufferings. take care and be in good health.

The only link is Stress, but this may help to lessen the affects. I am also a long time sufferer of both GERD and IBS.

I am not a doctor, so either way you will want to talk to them, but this is what I have to say as a long time sufferer of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.)!

Three part answer information, what not to do, and what to do!

INFORMATION!!!!!!
I have a very severe case of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.). I have had to go to the hospital for some of the heartburn that I have had because the pain can become overwhelming or your breathing can be effected. It can be caused by Smoking, Drinking Beverages with caffeine (My case), Drinking Beverages with Alcohol, or can be Heritatary

The good thing about G.E.R.D. is that it can be a temporary thing and can be cured. It is never a permit thing even if you end up with it for the rest of your life it has the ability to be cured.

WHAT NOT TO DO!!!!!!!!
In most cases, stress is a factor to the reflux if you watch what you eat and reduce some of the stress it will help. If you watch what you eat for about a week you should find relief, if you do not then that is when you definitely what to listen to the doctor. Things to watch for are as follows:

Fatty Foods
Citrus Foodsa
Foods That Contain Grease
Fried Foods
Chocolate
Caffeine
Smoking
Alcohol
Tomato Based Products

WHAT TO DO!!!!
The two foods that I recommend is Black strap Molasses and Raw honey. The apple is better for night time reflux while these will work for just about all of it. What you will do is take about a tsp. of whatever one you chose. Molasses being the better because of strength and nutrition, but must be use to the taste. What the substance will do is stick to the sides of the esophagus and do two things, one is heal and the other is protect.
On the healing end, both substances have a healing property in them, and as they sit on the walls of the esophagus they will heal it. This is also helpful if you have a sore throat in the morning from refluxing.
On the protection end, both substances are high in sugar and when acid that is refluxed comes up to that the sugar will neutralize it and it will not longer be a problem at that point.

I would also look to putting Cinnamon in you diet, it has been know to help with digestion and will help you reduce the amount of acid needed to brake down food, therefore causing you to reflux less.