eli5 how does stress causes hyperacidity or upset tummy etc?

Question

eli5 how does stress causes hyperacidity or upset tummy etc?

In: 9

Answer 1

Stress/anxiety activates a system that prioritizes blood flow and resources to the skeletal muscles. Some autonomic functions like digestion take a backseat, as they are not critical for fleeing or fighting a perceived threat. This leads to delayed stomach emptying. The acidic contents of the stomach erode the epithelium (protective liner) which causes signaling to the brain that says “something’s wrong down here.”