What are the common causes of nervous stomach aches. How can you identify the symptoms of a nervous stomach. What are the most effective strategies for calming stomach pain related to anxiety.

Understanding Nervous Stomach Aches: A Common Ailment

Nervous stomach aches are a widespread issue affecting many individuals. These abdominal discomforts often stem from anxiety and stress, particularly when no other biological cause, such as stomach ulcers, can be identified. Research indicates that people with anxiety disorders are more prone to experiencing gut symptoms like cramping, bloating, and abdominal pain compared to those without anxiety issues.

Interestingly, the relationship between anxiety and abdominal pain is bidirectional. Those who suffer from gut symptoms are also more likely to experience mental health problems. This intricate connection is particularly evident in ‘functional gastrointestinal disorders’, with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) being the most prevalent, affecting approximately one in seven people worldwide.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Beyond Physical Symptoms

Functional gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS, differ from conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or celiac disease, which have a clear physical basis. In functional disorders, the digestive tract appears healthy, yet symptoms persist. These disorders arise from a complex interplay of environmental, psychological, and social factors.

Stress often acts as an initial trigger for symptoms in functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, other contributing factors may include imbalances in gut bacteria and psychological conditions such as depression. The multifaceted nature of these disorders highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to treatment and management.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Most Common Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) stands out as the most prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder. It is characterized by persistent abdominal pain accompanied by one or more additional symptoms, such as changes in stool frequency. The most common symptoms of IBS include:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Gas
• Constipation or diarrhea

While the exact cause of IBS remains unknown, researchers believe that the enteric nervous system and the gut-brain connection play crucial roles in its development and manifestation.

The Intricate Link Between IBS and Mental Health

IBS exhibits a strong correlation with mental health issues. Studies have shown that over 50% of individuals with IBS also experience mental health conditions, including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression

This high comorbidity rate underscores the complex relationship between gut health and mental well-being. The gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system, is believed to play a significant role in this connection.

Recognizing the Symptoms of a Nervous Stomach

Identifying the symptoms of a nervous stomach is crucial for proper management and treatment. Common indicators include:

• Butterflies or fluttering sensations in the stomach
• Nausea or queasiness
• Loss of appetite
• Increased gas or bloating
• Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
• Constipation
• Stomach cramps or pain

These symptoms often intensify during periods of stress or anxiety, highlighting the strong connection between emotional state and digestive health.

Effective Strategies for Calming Nervous Stomach Pain

Managing nervous stomach aches involves a multifaceted approach. Here are some effective strategies to alleviate symptoms:

1. Practice stress-reduction techniques: Engage in activities like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga to help calm your mind and body.
2. Maintain a healthy diet: Avoid trigger foods and eat a balanced diet rich in fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
3. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support digestive health.
4. Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help reduce stress and promote better gut function.
5. Get adequate sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support overall health and reduce stress levels.
6. Consider probiotics: These beneficial bacteria may help balance gut flora and improve digestive symptoms.
7. Try herbal remedies: Peppermint tea or ginger can help soothe an upset stomach.

Implementing these strategies consistently can lead to significant improvements in managing nervous stomach aches and overall digestive health.

The Role of Gut Bacteria in Nervous Stomach Aches

Recent research has shed light on the crucial role that gut bacteria play in both digestive and mental health. The human gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms, significantly influences various aspects of our health, including digestion, immunity, and even mood regulation.

Imbalances in gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, have been linked to various gastrointestinal issues, including nervous stomach aches and IBS. Factors that can disrupt the delicate balance of gut bacteria include:

• Chronic stress
• Poor diet
• Antibiotic use
• Lack of sleep
• Environmental toxins

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome through proper diet, stress management, and potentially the use of probiotics can help alleviate nervous stomach symptoms and promote overall digestive health.

The Potential of Hypnotherapy in Managing Nervous Stomach Aches

Hypnotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for managing nervous stomach aches, particularly in cases of IBS. This therapeutic approach aims to harness the power of the mind-body connection to alleviate symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Research has shown that gut-directed hypnotherapy can be effective in reducing IBS symptoms and improving quality of life. The benefits of hypnotherapy for nervous stomach aches include:

• Reduced abdominal pain and discomfort
• Improved bowel habits
• Decreased anxiety and stress levels
• Enhanced overall well-being
• Long-lasting effects beyond the treatment period

While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind hypnotherapy’s effectiveness, it offers a promising, non-invasive option for those struggling with nervous stomach aches and IBS symptoms.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work for Nervous Stomach Aches?

Hypnotherapy for nervous stomach aches typically involves guided relaxation and visualization techniques. During a session, a trained therapist helps the patient enter a state of deep relaxation, where they become more open to positive suggestions and imagery related to gut health and digestive function.

The therapist may guide the patient through visualizations of a calm, healthy digestive system or provide suggestions for managing stress and anxiety. Over time, these sessions can help rewire the brain’s response to stress and anxiety, potentially reducing the frequency and severity of nervous stomach aches.

When to Seek Professional Help for Nervous Stomach Aches

While many cases of nervous stomach aches can be managed through lifestyle changes and self-help techniques, there are instances where professional medical advice is necessary. Consider consulting a healthcare provider if:

• Symptoms persist or worsen despite self-management efforts
• Abdominal pain is severe or accompanied by fever, bloody stools, or unexplained weight loss
• Nervous stomach aches significantly impact your daily life or quality of life
• You experience symptoms of anxiety or depression alongside digestive issues
• There’s a family history of gastrointestinal disorders or colon cancer

A healthcare professional can provide a proper diagnosis, rule out any underlying medical conditions, and recommend appropriate treatment options tailored to your specific needs.

Diagnostic Approaches for Nervous Stomach Aches

When seeking professional help for nervous stomach aches, your healthcare provider may use various diagnostic tools to assess your condition. These may include:

• Physical examination
• Detailed medical history assessment
• Blood tests to check for signs of inflammation or infection
• Stool tests to rule out parasitic infections or other gut-related issues
• Imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans, if necessary
• Endoscopy or colonoscopy in some cases

These diagnostic approaches help healthcare providers differentiate between functional disorders like IBS and other medical conditions that may require different treatment strategies.

The Future of Nervous Stomach Ache Treatment: Emerging Therapies and Research

As our understanding of the complex relationship between the gut and the brain continues to evolve, new therapies and treatment approaches for nervous stomach aches are emerging. Some promising areas of research include:

1. Targeted probiotic therapies: Developing specific probiotic strains that can help alleviate symptoms of nervous stomach aches and IBS.
2. Gut-brain axis modulation: Exploring ways to directly influence the communication between the gut and the brain to reduce symptoms.
3. Personalized dietary interventions: Using advanced testing methods to create tailored dietary plans that address individual gut microbiome profiles.
4. Mind-body interventions: Further investigating the potential of therapies like hypnosis, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral therapy in managing nervous stomach aches.
5. Gut-focused pharmaceuticals: Developing new medications that specifically target the gut-brain axis and functional gastrointestinal disorders.

These emerging areas of research offer hope for more effective and personalized treatments for those suffering from nervous stomach aches and related conditions in the future.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosing and Treating Nervous Stomach Aches

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied to various areas of healthcare, including the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In the context of nervous stomach aches and IBS, AI has the potential to:

• Analyze large datasets to identify patterns and risk factors associated with nervous stomach aches
• Assist in more accurate and timely diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders
• Predict individual responses to different treatment approaches
• Develop personalized treatment plans based on a patient’s unique symptoms, medical history, and gut microbiome profile
• Monitor symptoms and treatment progress in real-time through smartphone apps and wearable devices

While still in its early stages, the integration of AI into the management of nervous stomach aches holds promise for improving diagnosis, treatment efficacy, and patient outcomes in the future.

How to Calm Stomach Pain, Causes & Symptoms

Nervous Stomach: How to Calm Stomach Pain, Causes & Symptoms

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Nervous stomach? You’re not alone. Pain in the stomach and abdominal area is a common symptom for a range of issues, and anxiety and stress may be responsible for this pain if no other biological cause (e.g., stomach ulcers) can be found.

People with anxiety disorders develop gut symptoms such as cramping, bloating, and abdominal pain more frequently than healthy individuals. And, people with gut symptoms are much more likely to suffer mental health problems.

This two-way link between anxiety and abdominal pain is shown in ‘functional gastrointestinal disorders’. The most common functional disorder is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), affecting 1 in 7 people worldwide. (1)

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) differ from conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or coeliac disease that have a physical basis. In these ‘functional’ disorders, the digestive tract is healthy, yet symptoms are still experienced.

Multiple factors – environmental, psychological, and social – contribute to the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Stress, in particular, may be an initial trigger for symptoms. However, gut bacteria imbalances and psychological conditions such as depression may also contribute. ­(2, 3)

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder. It is defined by persistent abdominal pain and one or more additional symptoms, such as a change in stool frequency.

The most common symptoms of IBS are:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Gas
• Constipation or diarrhea (4)

IBS and mental health

IBS is more common in individuals who suffer mental health issues. It has been shown that over 50% of people with IBS also experience mental health conditions, such as:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression (5)

Although the cause of IBS is not known, the enteric nervous system and gut-brain connection are thought to be involved. These help to explain how psychological ill-health may be linked with gastrointestinal symptoms.

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The enteric nervous system

The enteric nervous system refers to the neurons controlling the digestive system. This ‘second brain’ is connected to the central nervous system – the brain and spinal cord. This system relies on neurotransmitters to communicate with the central nervous system and may affect mood. (6)

After sensing food, the nerves of the enteric nervous system communicate with muscle cells to initiate contraction, moving food along the intestines.

In response to stress and in disorders such as IBS, the enteric nervous system may function abnormally. For instance, levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin may be altered, or nerves may become hypersensitive. This may lead to gut symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, or constipation.

The gut-brain axis

The ‘gut-brain axis’ refers to the two-way communication between the brain and gut. It helps explain how stress can contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms, and is made up of several components:

• The enteric nervous system
• The Vagus nerve
• Levels of gut bacteria in the intestines
• Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin (6,7)

The gut-brain axis is being investigated in the new field of ‘neurogasterenterology’. Modern research has allowed researchers to measure pain perception in the gut, and the effect of gut bacteria on mental wellbeing. Stress and mental illness are being uncovered as a source of GI dysfunction. (7)

Stress causes IBS?

‘Stress’ is the term for the normal response to survival, and chronic levels of stress may disrupt the gut-brain axis. This may lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain.

GI symptoms may arise due to the following effects of the stress response:

• Activation of the ‘fight-or-flight’ response
• Increased sensitivity to visceral (bodily) pain
• Reduced gut motility – the speed of transit through the GI tract (8,9)

These mechanisms slow the passage of food through the intestines, leading to pain and other symptoms of IBS. Researchers have confirmed that stressful experiences, tested with complex pattern recognition tasks, make IBS patients more sensitive to non-painful stimuli. (10)

However, the exact mechanism for how stress causes IBS is not known. One theory suggests that people who are predisposed to IBS – by genetics or early life trauma – develop the condition after a long period of stress, which acts as the trigger. (11)

IBS causes stress?

It works the other way, too: IBS symptoms may cause stress. Normal GI activities, such as needing to go to the bathroom, may be misinterpreted by the brain of a person with IBS as a catastrophic event, triggering the ‘fight or flight’ response.

Or, they may suffer anxiety about the social situations in which symptoms occur. This misinterpretation of normal digestive processes as dangerous leads to stress.

Hence, a vicious cycle may emerge between IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain and stress. (12)

The biopsychosocial model

More broadly, the ‘biopsychosocial model’ (1980) explains how stress and anxiety may link to abdominal pain. As suggested by the name, the model proposes that biological, psychological, and social factors may all contribute to disease. Looking at IBS this way helps to explain how stress – a social and psychological factor – may have a biological effect on the gut. It also explains how therapies targeting the mind, such as hypnotherapy and CBT, make sense as treatments for gut symptoms.(13)

Confirming the model, scientists in China recently found a link between stress and IBS. They showed that a protein called NGF appeared in higher rates following early life trauma, and led to symptoms of IBS. Hence, the biopsychosocial model appears valid in IBS. (14)

How to calm a nervous stomach

Given the importance of the psychological process in IBS, it is unsurprising that psychological therapies are an effective treatment option. Several psychotherapies are effective in reducing gastrointestinal distress:

• Gut-directed hypnosis (GDH). This hypnosis involves the patient visualizing their gut as a set of slimy tubes and other gut-related imagery. This helps to restore the gut-brain communication to reduce symptoms of IBS. Smartphone-based versions such as Nerva have recently become available, and offer convenient access to hypnotherapy. (15)
• Cognitive-behavioral  therapy (CBT). This skill-based therapy teaches control over negative thought patterns and modifies patterns of behavior. Relaxation techniques help to control the stress response, and cognitive     restructuring allows the patient to avoid catastrophizing. These techniques help to reduce the symptoms of IBS. (16)
• Mindfulness-based therapies. This practice involves attending to the present moment and cultivating non-judgemental attitudes. Mindfulness therapies reduce levels of stress and sensitivity to pain, a key symptom of IBS. The effects have been shown to last over three months (17), although these therapies can be less effective than GDH and CBT.

These treatment options are likely to target both symptoms of anxiety, and functional symptoms such as abdominal pain. Psychological therapies, especially gut-directed hypnotherapy, have been shown as effective, if not more effective, than diets and medications for relieving IBS symptoms.

Other treatments for IBS            

The following treatments are also available for IBS. However, the effectiveness can be lower than for psychotherapies:

• Low FODMAP diet. This diet eliminates common ‘trigger compounds’ of IBS such as fructose and lactose and has been shown effective in treating IBS. (18)
• Antidepressant medication. Low dose treatments of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricycle antidepressants (TCAs) have been shown to relieve symptoms of IBS. (19, 20)
• Peppermint oil. It’s been shown that peppermint oil is a natural anti-spasmodic which means it can relax the smooth muscles in the gut, improving some of the symptoms of IBS.

When should I see the doctor?

If gastrointestinal symptoms and pain persist for more than a few days, you should consult a doctor. You may be instructed to undertake certain tests or see a specialist if there are signs of a more life threatening medical condition. If you experience abdominal pain and the following symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible:

• Vomiting blood
• The abdomen is larger than usual and hard
• Rectal bleeding
• You stop having bowel movements

These symptoms may suggest the pain is linked with a biological disease and is not a symptom of IBS or another functional gastrointestinal disorder.

Alternative causes of abdominal pain

As well as from functional gastrointestinal disorders, there are many other sources of abdominal pain. This pain may arise from inflammation, distension, and stretching or impaired blood supply. These include:

• Heartburn (indigestion after eating)
• Gallbladder inflammation
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Kidney stones
• Gluten intolerance (coeliac disease)
• Menstrual cramps
• Gastroenteritis (inflammation)
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Ischemic colitis
• Vasculitis
• Pregnancy (21)

Diagnosis of abdominal pain

If you experience abdominal pain and other GI symptoms, your physician will likely ask you a series of questions, addressing the pattern and persistence of the pain. A range of diagnostic tests may also be used to assess for certain medical conditions, including:

• Physical examination
• Ultrasound
• Colonoscopy
• Endoscopy
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computerized tomography (CT) (22)

Treatments for abdominal pain

A range of treatment options are available for abdominal pain of biological origin, depending on the cause. These include:

• Antibiotics for gastroenteritis
• Antacid for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Surgery, for bowel obstruction
• Corticosteroids for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Loperamide for diarrhea-induced cramping
• Painkillers (e.g., paracetamol) (23, 24)
• Pain Hypnosis

Preventing abdominal pain

Some forms of abdominal pain require medication or surgery. However, certain behaviors may minimize the risk of many types of abdominal pain:

• Exercising correctly and making fitness-based lifestyle changes
• Eating a healthy diet, rich in vitamins and minerals
• Staying hydrated
• Taking herbal remedies such as ginger and peppermint
• Limiting alcohol consumption

A Word from Mindset Health

If you suffer anxiety and abdominal pain, and diagnostic testing finds no physical cause, you may have IBS. The gut-brain connection suggests how physical symptoms of IBS such as stomach aches may be linked to anxiety symptoms and stress levels. Seeking help from a mental health professional and receiving psychotherapies such as gut-directed hypnosis will offer the chance for your gut and mind to be healed as one.

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Our sources

Mindset Health only uses high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed research, to support our articles. We work with experts to ensure our content is helpful, accurate and trustworthy.

Article Sources

1. Bommelaer G, Poynard T, Le Pen C, Gaudin AF, Maurel F, Priol G, Amouretti M, Frexinos J,Ruszniewski P, El Hasnaoui A. Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and variability of diagnostic criteria. Gastroenterologie clinique et biologique. 2004 Jun 1;28(6-7):554-61. Link
2. Masand PS, Kaplan DS, Gupta S, Bhandary AN, Nasra GS, Kline MD, Margo KL. Major depression and irritable bowel syndrome: is there a relationship? The Journal of clinical psychiatry. 1995 Aug. Link
3. De Palma G, Collins SM, Bercik P, Verdu EF. The microbiota–gut–brain axis in gastrointestinal disorders: stressed bugs, stressed brain or both?. The Journal of physiology. 2014 Jul15;592(14):2989-97. Link
4. Drossman, D.A., 2006. Rome III: the new criteria. Chinesejournal of digestive diseases, 7(4), pp.181-185. Link
5. Garakani, A., Win, T., Virk, S., Gupta, S., Kaplan, D. and Masand, P.S., 2003. Comorbidity of irritable bowel syndrome in psychiatric patients: a review. American journal of therapeutics, 10(1),pp.61-67. Link
6. Foster, J.A. and Neufeld, K.A.M., 2013. Gut–brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression. Trends in neurosciences, 36(5), pp.305-312. Link
7. Cryan, J.F. and O’mahony, S.M., 2011. The microbiome‐gut‐brain axis: from bowel to behavior. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 23(3), pp.187-192. Link
8. Aggarwal, A., Cutts, T.F., Abell, T.L., Cardoso, S.,Familoni, B., Bremer, J. and Karas, J., 1994. Predominant symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome correlate with specific autonomic nervous system abnormalities.  Gastroenterology, 106(4), pp.945-950. Link
9. Mönnikes, H., Tebbe, J.J., Hildebrandt, M., Arck, P.,Osmanoglou, E., Rose, M., Klapp, B., Wiedenmann, B. and Heymann-Mönnikes, I.,2001. Role of stress in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Digestive Diseases, 19(3), pp.201-211. Link
10. Posserud, I., Agerforz, P., Ekman, R., Björnsson, E.S.,Abrahamsson, H. and Simrén, M., 2004. Altered visceral perceptual and neuroendocrine response in patients with irritable bowel syndrome during mental stress. Gut, 53(8), pp.1102-1108. Link
11. Chang L. The role of stress on physiologic responses and clinical symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology. 2011 Mar1;140(3):761-5. Link
12. Moloney, R.D., O’Mahony, S.M., Dinan, T.G. and Cryan,J.F., 2015. Stress-induced visceral pain: toward animal models of irritable-bowel syndrome and associated comorbidities. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 6,p.15. Link
13. George E, Engel L. The clinical application of the biopsychosocial model. American journal of Psychiatry. 1980 May5;137(5):535-44. Link
14. Wong, H.L.X., Qin, H.Y., Tsang, S.W., Zuo, X., Che, S.,Chow, C.F.W., Li, X., Xiao, H.T., Zhao, L., Huang, T. and Lin, C.Y., 2019.Early life stress disrupts intestinal homeostasis via NGF-TrkA signaling. Nature communications, 10(1), p.1745. Link
15. Peters SL, Yao CK, Philpott H, Yelland GW, MuirJG, Gibson PR. Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut‐directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 2016 Sep;44(5):447-59. Link
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How to Stop Anxiety Stomach Pain & Cramps

Anxiety is a complex disorder and one that can have a profound effect on one’s body, mind, and daily life. The stress that anxiety puts on your body can lead to various different issues, including those relating to the digestive system. One of the more common symptoms is stomach pain.

Upset stomach, stomach cramping, and intestinal discomfort that are hard to describe can all result from persistent anxiety – you may be experiencing nervous stomach symptoms.

What Is Anxiety and How Can It Cause Stomach Pain?

Anxiety is a natural response to stressful situations. When you perceive a scenario as stressful or dangerous, your body goes into ‘fight or flight’ mode.

‘Fight or flight’ mode involves activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the branch of your nervous system that plays a crucial role in the stress response. This triggers a whole host of physiological symptoms that prepare your body to fight the threat or flee from it. These bodily changes include:

• Release of Stress Hormones: The body secretes stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This increases your blood pressure.
• Racing Thoughts: Your thinking speed quickens, helping you to make quick-fire decisions to keep yourself safe.
• Breathing Rate Increases: Your breathing becomes quicker and shallower; you breathe into your chest rather than your lungs, which helps increase the oxygen concentrations in your muscles.
• Heart Beat Quickens: Your heart beats quicker when under threat, which helps pump blood around the body.
• Muscle Tension: Muscles begin to tense all over the body, preparing you to run away or fight.
• Hyperawareness: Activation of the stress response causes your vision to become more acute, fine-tuning your senses to pay attention to the dangers around you.

Alongside other symptoms, the fight or flight response also causes stomach symptoms. It may make you feel nauseous or experience ‘butterflies’ as the blood shifts away from the digestive system towards the arm and leg muscles. However, this isn’t the only way stress and anxiety can impact the stomach.

The Gut-Brain Axis

The brain shares an intimate connection with the stomach through the gut-brain axis. It’s a two-way connection linking nerves, hormones, and gut flora. The enteric nervous system (ENS), a key component of the brain-gut connection, is often referred to as the ‘second brain.’ Within the ENS, you have millions of nerve connections that regulate digestion.

The ENS is connected to the nervous system, which is, of course, connected to the brain. Therefore, when a change occurs in the brain, it affects the gut and vice versa.

When you experience stress, your body releases hormones and neurotransmitters, which travel to the gut and affect how your stomach and intestines transfer waste through the body, known as gut motility. Stress levels can also influence gut bacteria, causing imbalances that can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort if you experience too much stress.

As you can see, it’s very plausible that your anxiety may be causing your digestive problems.

Examples of Anxiety-Related Stomach Issues

Numerous health concerns are caused by anxiety. These can lead to various types of digestive system symptoms. Some examples are:

• Abdominal Tension: Stress tends to cause a great deal of abdominal tension. That tension can tire out abdominal muscles and cause an internal feeling of discomfort.
• Indigestion: Stress affects hormone levels, and hormones are used to aid digestion. Stress can lead to hormonal imbalance, resulting in indigestion that may lead to bloating, intestinal pain, and more.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Anxiety is one of the most likely causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (or IBS). IBS occurs when your body’s digestive system functions poorly without a definitive underlying cause. Health conditions like IBS can cause altered bowel movements and abdominal discomfort.

Anxiety also triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol. This causes the body to produce extra levels of stomach acid. This acidity irritates the esophagus lining, leading to belly pain, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, stress-induced ulcers.

These are just a few ways that anxiety can cause pain or adverse symptoms in the digestive system.

Can Stress Cause Stomach Pain?

You may be asking: what about stress? While anxiety and stress are closely related, they’re different phenomena.

Stress vs. Anxiety: What’s the Difference?

Anxiety and stress are part of the fight or flight response – they help your body react to danger. However, there are some key differences between the two:

• Stress is short-term, whereas anxiety can linger, even when you’re no longer under threat.
• Stress always occurs in response to an actual threat, whereas anxiety can happen because you have perceived or ‘imagined’ a threat. Therefore, on occasion, you may not even be able to identify the danger that’s causing your anxiety.
• While symptoms of stress are dizziness, loneliness, nausea, anxious thoughts, unhappiness, overwhelm, and irritability, symptoms of anxiety include restlessness, tension, sweating, a sense of dread, and nervousness.

Stress and anxiety also have some overlapping symptoms:

• Fast heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Constipation or diarrhea

It’s possible to experience a significant amount of stress without experiencing anxiety. Yet the causes of belly pain from stress are similar.

How Do I Know if It’s Anxiety and Not an Ulcer?

You may worry that your stomach pain has a more severe underlying cause, not a result of anxiety or stress. It’s common for those with stomach pain to fear that there’s something more serious going on, such as a stomach ulcer.

Only a doctor can offer advice, diagnosis, or treatment – while Healthline media websites may provide you with some guidance, your best bet is to speak to your doctor. They can tell you, for definite, why you are experiencing stomach problems. However, some clues will help you figure this out for yourself:

1. Blood in Your Stool

If you’re seeing blood in your stool, this may be due to bleeding in the stomach. This might indicate stomach ulcers. You’re unlikely to experience this symptom as a result of anxiety or stress.

1. Acid Reflux

Indigestion is a classic sign of stomach ulcers. This may be what’s causing the pain in your stomach region. You may also experience heartburn, so it can be challenging to decipher between this and stomach ulcers. However, the symptoms of a stomach ulcer also tend to cause dull pain in the abdomen, similar to the sensation of being hungry.

1. Pain After Eating

Pain or discomfort after eating may be a sign of a stomach ulcer. However, it can also indicate other health conditions, such as GERD (heartburn/acid reflux), so you’ll need to check this with your doctor.

Stomach Pain and Long-Term Health

It’s essential to remember that chronic stress can also lead to stomach ulcers because of the extra stomach acid.

Because of the extra acid in your stomach and the changes in how your body processes nutrients, stomach pain from stress or anxiety can be a problem if left untreated. Ulcers are just one example. Some people experience heartburn from anxiety, and others eat less often, giving their bodies fewer nutrients.

The stomach pain from anxiety and stress is rarely dangerous, but it is still important to treat it because the effects on your long-term health, when left untreated, may be harder to manage.

When Is Stomach Pain Most Likely to Occur?

If you have anxiety, stomach pain can occur anytime – even when no anxiety is present. However, many people experience stomach pain during panic attacks.

The exact link between an anxiety attack and stomach pain is not clear, other than the fact that during a panic attack, your body is under a considerable amount of stress, and your hormones are often on overdrive. Also, those with anxiety attacks are prone to hyperventilation, which may lead to symptoms that create stomach pain.

How to Relieve Stomach Pain Symptoms

There isn’t necessarily a cure for the stomach pain symptoms themselves. When your body is under stress, your stomach tends to hurt based on the acids in your stomach and the foods you’ve already eaten. If you have stomach pain due to an anxiety attack, you may need to wait it out.

Water can help a little, however. So consider sipping cool (but not too cold) water. Antacids may also be beneficial in some cases, but if you have stomach pain often, you may not want to depend on antacid treatments.

Method #1 See a Doctor

Stomach pain caused by anxiety is difficult for doctors to diagnose because the pain and indigestion are still real physical responses – the same type of responses that would occur if you had any other physical health issue.

If the stomach pain is severe or accompanied by fever or other symptoms, it’s certainly a good idea to seek the medical expertise of a doctor.

Method #2 Natural Remedies

Some herbal remedies can help to ease the symptoms of a nervous stomach. Ginger root is an excellent natural remedy for nausea or when you’re feeling a little queasy. There are several ways you can make use of the remedial effects of ginger:

• Chew a small piece of root ginger
• Eat ginger candy
• Drink ginger ale (the real ginger ones!)
• Try ginger tea

Other effective antispasmodics that people often already have in their homes are peppermint, lemon balm, lavender, and spearmint.

These can help to ease stomach tension and spasms from anxiety, thus helping to reduce the likelihood of stomach upset, cramps, anxiety butterflies, and flatulence.

Essential oils also supposedly work wonders on anxiety. A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that oral consumption of lavender essential oil can effectively reduce anxiety symptoms. This study also suggests that massage with lavender oil and inhalation may reduce anxiety symptoms.

Chamomile, catnip, and fennel are also natural remedies, alongside various other plants for mild anxiety symptoms.

Method #3 Foods That Reduce Stomach Pain

An upset stomach from anxiety is not usually the result of your diet (although a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of anxiety), there aren’t necessarily any dietary changes that can help reduce stomach pain.

However, those with panic attacks are more prone to experiencing more severe stomach pains, even when no anxiety is present. In other words, when you have panic attacks, it’s possible to have stomach pain even without a panic attack.

Also, those with anxiety attacks and acute anxiety are prone to what’s known as “over-sensitization.” That means that they are more likely to notice and feel smaller, normal body changes, which can trigger an anxiety attack. So if your diet contains foods that cause you gas, stomach discomfort, or mild indigestion, it may be best to avoid them because the slight discomfort could feel worse than it should and may trigger a panic attack.

That’s why healthy eating is important for those that get stomach pain from anxiety. Make sure you’re getting:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Water/Hydration
• Wholegrain carbohydrates

In addition, if possible, try to avoid eating until you’re too full. Those with severe anxiety sometimes interpret the “full” feeling as pain, which could trigger a panic attack and further pain.

Furthermore, diets containing more alcohol and caffeine can worsen or even cause stomach symptoms. Stay away from these if you want to improve your gut health and digestive problems.

Method #4 Alternative Techniques

You can also try reducing stress to treat your anxiety. If anxiety is the cause of your stomach pain, reducing your anxiety will target both symptoms at once – it’s a win-win!

Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, and visualization will help you to manage stress. Deep breathing practices also work wonders for relieving the body of stress and anxiety.

If you are experiencing an anxiety disorder, another treatment method worth trying is seeing a mental health professional such as a counselor. They may be able to support you emotionally, helping you to identify the root cause of your anxiety so that you can combat the problem at the source. This can have multiple benefits, including improving your mental health.

Finally, physical activity can benefit your brain and gut – regular exercise can reduce your anxiety symptoms and improve gut bacteria, making it an excellent treatment method for stress-related stomach pain.

SUMMARY:

Stomach pain from anxiety can be caused by several stress-related issues, including abdominal tension, digestion issues, and irritable bowel. Although the stomach pain may be caused by anxiety, the acids in the stomach are still very real. There are ways to treat both your stomach discomfort and anxiety.

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Stomach hurts from nerves: could this be the source of the pain?

Stress, as an adaptive response of the body to emotional, psychological and physical stress, triggers a series of changes in all organ systems, including the digestive system.

Influence of hormones

Intensive release of the stress hormones cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline increases not only the pulse and blood pressure, but also the secretion of gastric juice. Vasospasm arising under the influence of hormones, incl. and capillaries of the stomach, hinders the formation of mucus, which is a protective barrier for its walls. The combination of these factors leads to damage to the lining of the stomach. The consequences of these injuries can be erosion and stomach ulcers, bleeding, impaired digestibility of food.

Prolonged stress can cause chronic inflammation in any organ. Cortisol, produced in excess during times of stress, is essential in reducing inflammation. However, with its long-term increase, cells lose sensitivity to this effect. As a result, there are diseases such as chronic gastroduodenitis, biliary dyskinesia, peptic ulcer.

Intestinal nervous system

The human gastrointestinal tract has a huge network of neurons. More than 100 million nerve cells form two plexuses and are located along the wall of the entire gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the anus. This is the enteric nervous system, the task of which is to provide intestinal motility for uniform movement of food down the gastrointestinal tract.

Through the vagus nerve, it is in close relationship with the central nervous system, and therefore is able to respond to stress. This reaction is often manifested by irritable bowel syndrome. Its symptoms are spasms, pain, bloating, flatulence, stool disorders. As a rule, these signs are aggravated against the background of anxiety.

Stress diet

In the post-Soviet space, in the treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines, a variety of medical tables have found wide application. Their common task is to unload the affected organ, restore cell functions, eliminate irritating physical and chemical factors, and maintain beneficial microflora. Food should be fractional; hot, spicy, fatty foods are excluded; all dishes have a pureed or puree-like consistency.

In the West, for digestive disorders, a diet low in FODMAPs is popular: fermentable products, oligo-, di- and monosaccharides, polyols. It minimizes products based on rye, barley and wheat; milk, mushrooms, legumes; honey and fruits high in sugar. The diet in this case consists of citrus fruits, nuts, lean meats and fish, aboveground vegetables, buckwheat, quinoa, sorghum.

One way or another, the type of nutrition will depend primarily on the symptoms and diagnosis, which must be established by a specialist.

Treatment of stress-induced diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Psychotherapeutic techniques will help to resist stress. But only a gastroenterologist can restore the work of the gastrointestinal tract.

See a doctor as soon as possible if you have the following symptoms:

• fever;
• causeless weight loss;
• regular abdominal pain;
• digestive discomfort at night;
• blood in stool.

Gastroenterology is one of the main activities of “Clinic Alone”. During the appointment, the doctor will listen to complaints, examine and palpate the abdomen to clarify the localization of pain. In order to clarify the diagnosis, additional studies may be prescribed: a general and biochemical blood test, a blood test for Helicobacter pylori, ultrasound, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, fibrogastroduodenoscopy. A comprehensive examination of the digestive system can be carried out in the clinic in one day.

Make an appointment with the Clinic Alone by phone in Kirov: (8332) 32-7777
or through the form on the website

Why does my stomach hurt when I’m worried?

Tells the therapist, gastroenterologist Ekaterina Rategova.

Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system: if you remember school biology lessons, these are fight-or-flight responses. In ancient times, this reaction helped our ancestors survive in the face of real threats, such as a collision with a wild animal.

Times have changed, humanity has created a safe environment for itself when the chances of encountering a tiger are extremely low, but the type of reaction to stress, regardless of what it is caused by, has remained, whether it is an exam or an unpleasant conversation with the boss. To put it simply, stress of any origin still stimulates the activation of the sympathetic nervous system (release of adrenaline), and also turns on the production of the stress hormone cortisol.

With a short-term influence of such stimuli, a change in the motor activity of the small and large intestines and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract has been described. A decrease in the threshold of pain sensitivity is also described, that is, an irritant that previously did not cause pain now causes it, only the sensitivity of the receptors changes.

Is it some kind of disease?

Symptoms may be criteria for functional bowel disease. For example, irritable bowel syndrome.

The diagnosis is made:

• for the collection of patient complaints,
• eligibility criteria for symptom recurrence and duration,
• if during the examination of such patients we do not identify other reasons for complaints.

Functional diseases are not associated with the risk of developing oncological diseases or reducing life expectancy, but can significantly reduce the quality of life: the patient is often forced to seek medical help, worrying about his condition, not understanding the mechanisms for the appearance of his complaints, performing a huge amount of research to find “the same causes”. But there is no single reason.

The biopsychosocial model The relationship between stress and the work of the gastrointestinal tract is just one link in the biopsychosocial model, which demonstrates the scheme of interaction between psychosocial factors (stress, psychological status and character traits, social support) and physiological (motor skills, perception of pain, changes in the functioning of the immune system / development of inflammation, changes in the composition of the microbiota), their interaction is regulated by the nervous system: central and intestinal. At the same time, this relationship is bidirectional, that is, for example, initially stress can trigger motor disorders, increase the perception of pain, and the sensation of pain increases stress.

Mechanism

Studies in both animal models and humans have shown that stress induces the production of pro-inflammatory proteins in the gut, which can affect the functioning of gut neurons, which increases their sensitivity. In addition, the mechanism is also implemented through the activation of certain areas of the brain (hypothalamus-pituitary gland), which leads to the synthesis of the hormone cortisol and, as a result, the release of pro-inflammatory proteins (interferon-gamma, TNF-alpha, interleukin-6). The mechanisms of changes in the composition of the microflora and the shift towards “bad” bacteria are described.

The close interweaving of the central and enteral nervous systems is also due to the peculiarities of human embryonic development, since these 2 systems arise from the neural tube of the fetus. Over time, our brain and spinal cord appear from it, the nerve ganglia (nodes) of the future spinal cord migrate to the future intestine during the development of the fetus. Therefore, both systems are anatomically intertwined. Therefore, the signals that regulate the work of the central nervous system also affect the enteric nervous system.

But it doesn’t happen to everyone, does it?

True, there are certain causes and mechanisms due to which symptoms arise and are maintained:

• Visceral hypersensitivity – due to the low threshold for pain perception, normal peristalsis or the usual amount of gas in the intestine can be perceived as pain due to hypersensitivity of receptors in the intestine.
• Changes in motility, contractile activity of the intestine can cause abdominal pain, but it is not yet clear whether this is a symptom or cause of pain in the patient.
• Past intestinal infections – probably due to changes in the composition of the microbiota, although not everyone who has had an intestinal infection may experience post-infection symptoms, and not all patients with functional diseases have a history of previous intestinal infection.
• Food intolerance – Some foods can increase gas production in the gut and stimulate pain, so there are strategies to limit trigger foods.

Is there a cure?

Functional diseases belong to the group of chronic ones, which, with an adequate approach, can be entered into a long-term remission. Here, the interaction of the doctor and the patient, the explanation and understanding of the causes and mechanisms of the disease are very important, in particular, in irritable bowel syndrome, antispasmodics, fiber, and some herbal preparations can be used to regulate the violation of stool consistency (macrogol, psyllium, loperamide and others). For many, antidepressants may be the solution. Do we remember that there is a lot in common between the brain and the intestines? These drugs not only regulate the mental sphere, but can also help with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, since neurotransmitters (substances that neurons communicate with) are common in both the brain and the intestines.