Maybe you’ve lost your appetite before a big presentation or event. Or perhaps you’ve been so anxious that you found yourself in need of a restroom…IMMEDIATELY. Others may find that stress and constipation go hand in hand.
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Think about phrases like a ‘gut-wrenching’ situation,’ ‘butterflies in my stomach,’ a bit of news that makes you ‘sick to your stomach,’ he’s got a ‘cast iron stomach,’ she’s got a ‘gut feeling,’ and so on. These idioms all refer to the connection between our gastrointestinal (GI) system and brain.
Because the gut and brain are so deeply connected, a person’s intestinal duress can be either the result of stress and anxiety, or the cause.
Gastrointestinal disorders like bloating, pain, loose stools, constipation or other maladies which occur unrelated to a physical cause like an infection, food poisoning or illness, are called functional gastrointestinal disorders and they affect between 35 and 70 percent of people at one point or another.
Stomach pain, bloating, discomfort and nausea are more easily triggered when the body is experiencing stress. Extreme swings in appetite – either eating way too much or way too little – are also hallmark effects of stress on the stomach.
The esophagus can also suffer during times of stress. When we self-medicate with tobacco or alcohol, for example, acid reflux can occur. Heartburn pain is increased by stress. Intense stress can even cause esophageal spasms so severe they mimic a heart attack.
The intestinal barrier, which protects our bodies from most food-related bacteria can be weakened by stress. This can allow harmful bacteria to enter the body. eling a constant low-grade malaise) are increased.
Bowel pain, discomfort and bloating can be a byproduct of stress. The rate at which food moves through the bowels is also affected by stress. It can dramatically speed up, which can mean diarrhea. It can also slow way down, and that sets us up for constipation.
Making lifestyle adjustments to benefit your GI tract and digestive function can also reduce stress. You can break the negative cycle, and even get it moving in a positive direction. Here are some things to try:
Stop smoking. This helps reduce or prevent reflux because smoking weakens the muscles of the GI tract.
Lose weight. Did you know that belly fat itself can cause heartburn?
Don’t binge alcohol. Binge drinking means drinking eight or more units of alcohol in one sitting for men, and six or more units in one sitting for women.
