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Studies reveal that those suffering with acid reflux or hiatal hernia have a significantly higher risk of anxiety than those without reflux.
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How much higher? 4.5x!!!
Younger individuals age 18 to 40 had double the risk of suffering with anxiety.
Why is this?
It involves the diaphragm, vagus nerve plus overall gut health.
The diaphragm is a structural anchor or tether, for the stomach and the esophagus. The esophagus passes through the opening (hiatus) in the diphragm and the vagus nerve travels the same route through the opening.
When the diaphragm weakens or spasms, it can create a hiatal hernia.
The vagus nerve becomes irritated when a hiatal hernia, reflux or diaphragm tension exists. The resulting symptoms can be heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness and/or dizziness. Even one of these symptoms can cause anxiety, let alone more than one.
[Note: we are assuming that any heart or breathing symptoms have been checked out by your doctor and you are found to be free of heart disease or lung disease.]
A vicious cycle gets started where the reflux causes diaphragm dysfunction (spasm) which can cuase a degree of hyperventilation and then anxiety. The resultant anxiety then irritates the vagus more leading to a cycle of increased reflux, diaphragm dysfunction and continued anxiety.
The good news is that there are natural solutions.
I review how to do a manual diaphragm release in the video to reduce vagal irritation.
I also review how to perform a physiological sigh and a specific humming technique which assists in restoring vagal tone and balance to the nervous system.
The next step is to delve into what is triggering the inflammation and increased pressure within your abdomen. There are a variety of root causes creating this including: nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, microbiome imbalance, infections and toxicity. Hormonal imbalance can also play a role.
For this you may need the assistance of a professional but if this isn't possible I do give tips and suggestions in a variety of my videos. [I've run out of room in this description to add any more data!.]
If you'd like help we're here for you. The best next step is to contact us for a consultation and then we can determine if what we do is a good fit for you. Call 727-335-0400.
#guthealth #hiatalhernia #acidreflux
References:
Howe & Dwyer (2007): Diaphragmatic breathing lowered situational anxiety in students. Link
Chen et al. (2017): RCT showed 8 weeks of diaphragmatic breathing reduced anxiety scores and stress markers. PubMed
Ma et al. (2017): Systematic review found diaphragmatic breathing improves cortisol, blood pressure & stress response. PubMed
Zaccaro et al. (2018): Breathing practice reduced negative affect and cortisol, improved attention. PubMed
Rashidi et al. (2021): In T2DM patients, diaphragmatic breathing lowered anxiety, depression, and improved outcomes. PubMed
Jindal et al. (2024): Controlled breathing reduced both anxiety and pain in chronic pain patients. Springer
Zhou et al. (2025): Mendelian randomization study found mood swings, depression, and tension increase risk for hiatal hernia. PMC
Choung et al. (2012): Anxiety levels were higher in GERD patients without hiatal hernia, suggesting complex emotional interplay. PubMed
Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other quali