Contents
Stress is an inherent part of our lives. If it occurs only to a small extent, it can be motivating and encouraging to act. It is much worse when it is chronic, because it negatively affects not only the psyche, but also the body, including the digestive system.
How does stress affect the digestive system?
It cannot be denied that we live in quite turbulent times. It is influenced not only by the rushing lifestyle, turmoil on the labor market and increased economic needs. The situation is also not helped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has changed our everyday lives since March 2020 and deprived a huge number of people around the world from livelihoods. Human relations deteriorated, and working and studying remotely put many families living under one roof to the test. Due to this, each of us is exposed to stress every day.
In stressful situations, the adrenal cortex, controlled by the pituitary-hypothalamus axis, secretes cortisol, commonly referred to as the stress hormone. This glucocorticosteroid in combination with adrenaline and norepinephrine has a negative effect on the human body, including the central nervous and digestive systems. It is the latter that is particularly sensitive to stress stimuli and may react with disturbed intestinal peristalsis and gastric motility. This in turn is a common cause of diarrhea and / or constipation and abdominal pain. Long-term gastrointestinal symptoms change mood, cause insomnia and the occurrence of headaches.
Some people, under the influence of strong emotions, eat excess food. This is due to the mechanism of the so-called a vicious cycle as a weakened digestive system is put to the test of digesting large amounts of food, further exacerbating the symptoms of digestive disorders.
The problem is more common than you might think as it affects both the elderly and the young, including children. Stress-related abdominal pain and diarrhea increasingly affect children.
Irritable bowel syndrome and stress
Stress triggers an avalanche of inflammatory factors that may exacerbate digestive symptoms in the long run. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with defecation, a change in bowel rhythm, or a change in the consistency of the stools. There are many reasons for the development of this disease, one of which concerns disturbances in the regulation of the brain-gut axis. However, scientists and doctors have emphasized for years that genetics, impaired intestinal microflora, infections and stress can have a great impact.
The main symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include:
- abdominal pain,
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
- belching,
- constipation
- heartburn,
- severe headaches,
- sleep disturbances,
- chronic fatigue.
The above-mentioned symptoms require medical consultation and proper diagnostic tests.
Gastrointestinal symptoms after COVID-19
Infection with the SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes COVID-19 causes symptoms not only from the respiratory and nervous systems, but also from the digestive system. In many cases, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort are reported. Digestive problems may affect about 50 percent. patients with COVID-19.
How to Treat GI Symptoms?
Before treating stress-related gastrointestinal symptoms, it is worth finding out their cause. The best method is to eliminate the factor that causes anxiety and severe stress. This is not always possible. In such cases, it is worth trying:
- natural herbal teas to alleviate digestive system disorders,
- over-the-counter antispasmodics
- aromatic baths with the addition of essential oils,
- breathing sessions combined with music therapy,
- yoga, walking or other physical activity.
Long-term stress-related symptoms from the digestive system require, first of all, urgent consultation with a doctor and selection of appropriate therapy, e.g. pharmacological and / or psychotherapy.
MEB-2021-0017