About 20% of people worldwide suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, sometimes known as IBS. It is the second most frequent reason for missing work and the most prevalent gastrointestinal diagnosis. Even though it doesn’t cause serious illness, it can significantly affect your daily life, so managing it is essential.
It is commonly accepted that there is a strong correlation between gut health and mental health due to the gut-brain axis. Understanding how to control your stress and anxiety levels could help you reduce your IBS.
What is the Impact of Anxiety On The Gut?
Changes in your digestive tract that are related to IBS have been linked to high amounts of stress. These alterations brought on by stress include:
- Inflammation
- Hyperactive immunological reactions
- Intestinal barrier alterations
The central nervous system, which is separated into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, is where the brain-gut relationship begins.
The “fight-or-flight” response is triggered by a perceived threat and is associated with the sympathetic nervous system.
The release of particular hormones initiates a series of events that culminate in the activation of the fight-or-flight response. These hormones slow or even stop digestion while speeding up your heartbeat to pump extra blood to your muscles (so you can react to the threat).
Who is Prone To Develop IBS?
Food moving through the gut too rapidly or too slowly, stress, a family history of IBS, and overly sensitive nerves in the stomach or immune system are some potential causes of IBS.
IBS is more likely to affect you if:
- You are younger than fifty.
- You’re a woman.
- You have an IBS family history.
- You’ve had anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues in the past.
What is the Relationship Between The Mind and The Gut?
There is a close connection between the gut and the brain, and almost all gut functions are affected by stress. The idiom “butterflies in the stomach” is a common example of how the gut responds to various emotional and psychological situations.
The gut-brain axis is to blame for this. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are the two divisions of the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and the nerves that govern your body. According to some, the gut is governed by a third component known as the enteric system.
The two-way interaction between the enteric and central nervous systems that connects the brain’s emotional centers with the gut’s operation is known as the “gut-brain axis.” Emotions can affect the gut in a variety of ways and that in turn affects your mental health.
This is not to imply that IBS is the cause of all gastrointestinal problems connected to mental health. For example, anxiety has been linked to a variety of symptoms, including altered bowel motions and stomach aches.
Which Symptoms of IBS are Associated With Stress?
Both acute and long-term stress can negatively impact your digestive system in a number of ways, such as:
- Alterations in the rate at which food passes through the digestive system (constipation or diarrhea) and an increase in intestinal muscular spasms (colics)
- Enhanced gut awareness, which may make it easier for you to detect discomfort or bloating.
- Elevated alterations in the gut microbiome’s gas
- Increased intestinal permeability, which may encourage immunological system alterations and inflammation
All of these stress-related alterations have the potential to cause or exacerbate IBS symptoms.
Can IBS and Stomach Pain Be Brought on By Stress and Anxiety?
The balance between the gut and the brain is thrown off if you have IBS. Anxiety and stress can trigger the central nervous system, which releases chemicals that impact gut digestion and can result in gas, constipation, diarrhea, or other discomfort.
IBS is increasingly becoming recognized as a disorder that affects both the gut and the brain. IBS can cause stress and anxiety, and stress and anxiety can cause IBS symptoms, creating a vicious cycle. Eighty-four percent of IBS patients reported having depression, and forty-four percent reported having anxiety.
Although there is no doubt that stress contributes to IBS, it is not the main factor. However, it can be crucial. Hormones released during stress can have a detrimental effect on the gut. An imbalance of the gut’s flora brought on by prolonged stress can play a major role in an individual’s development of IBS.
It is well established that stress and significant life traumas exacerbate symptoms of IBS. A lot of people have stress rises right before they start having symptoms of IBS. Indeed, some studies contend that treating stress is a prerequisite for improving IBS. This is why it’s so crucial to treat IBS holistically.
When Should I Consult a Medical Professional about IBS and Stress?
You should consult with your doctor if your IBS symptoms are affecting your day-to-day activities.
In addition to examining you and taking a history of your symptoms, they might schedule a stool or blood test. These tests can rule out other gut issues such as bowel infections, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and colon cancer, but there isn’t a particular test to diagnose IBS.
You should always pay attention to the following symptoms:
- Inadvertent weight loss
- Bloody diarrhea or bleeding from the butt
- A firm mass or edema in your abdomen
- Pale skin, palpitations, and shortness of breath are symptoms of anemia.
You should visit a doctor right away if you’re having any of these symptoms because they might indicate anything more dangerous.
Try speaking with your loved ones if you’re experiencing stress, anxiety, or IBS symptoms. You can also seek help from a doctor who can direct you to more resources. MindSpa Psychiatry can help you with care you require by discussing your issues in a relaxed and friendly environment without feeling forced or judged.
Conclusion
While some people are able to identify the source of their stress, others find it difficult to do so. Maintaining a journal could be an initial important step in identifying your unique stressors. Talk to an expert at MindSpa Psychiatry for more than a helpful hand. You’ll feel better after just one session and get rid of your anxiety from the root.
If you feel you have a stress belly, try the above-mentioned measures in order to start reversing the issue and lowering the level of cortisol in your body, thereby improving overall health. For more help, connect with Mindspa Psychiatry.