Diarrhea, constipation, ulcers and more

By Shirley Eichenberger-Archer HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, April 7, 2023 (HealthDay News) — You may be suffering from stomach pain and digestive upset without understanding why, thinking it might be something you ate.

Can stress cause stomach aches?

Stress, especially chronic stress, can indeed increase your risk of gastrointestinal (GI) problems.

“Stress and anxiety are common causes of stomach pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms,” Dr Nina Guptaa gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, recently said in a article. Stress impacts the digestive system via the nervous system and can affect the movement of food and the bacterial balance in the gut. Stress can also cause people to eat poorly, smoke, and/or drink too much alcohol or caffeine — all habits that can trigger stomach pain.

Outside of the brain, the gut has the largest surface area of ​​nerves. This component of the autonomic nervous system — known as the enteric nervous system — is sometimes called the “second brain.” According Harvard Health“Neurons lining the digestive tract signal muscle cells to initiate a series of contractions that propel food further, breaking it down into nutrients and waste products.”

The enteric nervous system communicates with the central nervous system and is called the “brain-gut axis”. This connection explains why stress can cause digestive problems.

According to the American Psychological Association, stress can contribute to bloating, burping, or flatulence by making it difficult to swallow food or by increasing swallowed air.

Heartburn, acid reflux or GERD

Emotional stress can increase stomach acid production, leading to heartburn and acid reflux, according to Harvard Health. It can also worsen GERD, a disorder where acid rises from the stomach into the esophagus. How to counter this? Harvard Health experts suggest not smoking, eating a healthy diet, limiting coffee, tea and cola drinks, eating smaller meals, avoiding meals close to bedtime and using relaxation strategies like mindful meditation or deep breathing.

“Your anxious feelings can translate into a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including stress nausea, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and even stress vomiting,” Dr Timothy Tramontana said recently in a Cleveland Clinic article. Tramontana recommends exercise, meditation, and a healthy diet, with small, frequent meals. Another option is to drink peppermint tea, which is known to calm the stomach.

Can stress cause diarrhea?

“[Stress] hormones affect the body, including the gut, to quickly go into stress mode,” gastroenterologist Dr. Christine Lee said recently in a Cleveland clinic article. The adrenal glands release hormones like cortisol, serotonin and adrenaline. “There are more serotonin receptors in the intestinal tract than in the brain… [Serotonin] can turn your stomach. It stimulates the intestines, creating waves of contractions in the colon.

“It can cause a constellation of symptoms of nausea, gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps,” Lee explained, noting that the release of stress causes diarrhea. “Everything relaxes and what was waiting is released,” she said. “This counter-response can cause symptoms of nausea, pain, flushing, diarrhea, or even sweating.”

Treatment suggestions include mindful eating — a practice of slowing down and savoring every bite of food — and avoiding stressful environments when eating, such as eating while driving. Listening to your body and eliminating waste when the urge occurs, rather than holding it in, also improves bowel movements.

Can stress cause constipation?

Constipation occurs when food moves too slowly through the intestine. According to American Institute of Stress, when the body goes into fight-or-flight mode, it diverts blood flow from the intestines, which can lead to slow bowel movements, leading to constipation. Another stress hormone, corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), slows down the intestines. Stress can also affect healthy gut bacteria, slowing digestion.

Treatment may include exercise, eating a healthy diet with plenty of fiber, maintaining good hydration, bathroom time, and stress-relieving activities such as listening to peaceful music, keeping a journal, or reading. If you have a history of trauma or suffer from anxiety or depression, professional therapy may be helpful.

Stomach ulcers can be made worse by stress.

Ulcers are open sores or raw areas of the lining of the stomach or intestine. A gastric ulcer is in the stomach; a duodenal ulcer is in the intestines. According to Pennsylvania Medical University, an imbalance between digestive juices and the chemicals that protect the stomach lining causes ulcers, often caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. Stress does not cause ulcers, but it can exacerbate them.

Treatment recommendations include professional care and lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation, alcohol avoidance, and stress management.

Gastrointestinal problems

Gastrointestinal disorders include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a group of symptoms that includes chronic abdominal pain and bowel changes like diarrhea, constipation, or both. The underlying cause is unknown. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to two conditions, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and these are caused by a malfunction of the immune system, according to Harvard Health. Symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain, cramping, fever, diarrhea, and bloody stools. The relationship between stress and IBS and IBD is unclear, but stress can make symptoms worse. It is recommended that you use stress management techniques and consult your health care provider.

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