How does stress affect your stomach. What are common stress-related gut symptoms. Can anxiety cause digestive issues. How to calm an anxious stomach. When should you see a specialist for stress-related stomach pain. What is the brain-gut connection. How to reduce stress and its impact on your digestive system.

The Intricate Brain-Gut Connection: Unveiling the Mystery

The human body is a complex network of interconnected systems, and one of the most fascinating relationships exists between the brain and the gut. This connection, often referred to as the brain-gut axis, plays a crucial role in our overall well-being and can significantly impact our digestive health when we experience stress or anxiety.

Research has shown that the gut contains the largest area of nerves outside the brain, with the digestive tract and brain sharing many of the same nerve connections. This intricate network allows for constant communication between these two vital organs, influencing everything from our mood to our digestive processes.

How Does Stress Affect Your Stomach?

When you experience stress or anxiety, your body releases hormones and chemicals that can interfere with normal digestive function. These substances can:

• Disrupt the balance of gut flora (beneficial microorganisms in the digestive tract)
• Decrease antibody production
• Alter the motility of the gastrointestinal tract
• Increase sensitivity to pain in the gut

The resulting chemical imbalance can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal conditions and symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to more severe disorders.

Common Stress-Related Gut Symptoms and Conditions

Stress and anxiety can manifest in numerous ways within the digestive system. Understanding these symptoms can help you identify when stress might be affecting your gut health.

What Are the Most Common Stress-Related Digestive Issues?

Some of the most frequently reported stress-related gut symptoms include:

• Indigestion
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Unnatural hunger
• Nausea

In more severe cases, chronic stress can contribute to the development or exacerbation of conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and peptic ulcers.

Can Anxiety Cause Long-Term Digestive Issues?

Yes, chronic anxiety can lead to persistent digestive problems. When left unaddressed, these issues can become a source of additional anxiety, creating a vicious cycle that significantly impacts quality of life. For example, individuals who experience stress-related diarrhea may develop a fear of having accidents in public, leading to social isolation and further anxiety.

Effective Strategies for Calming an Anxious Stomach

While it’s impossible to eliminate stress entirely from our lives, there are numerous techniques and lifestyle changes that can help manage stress and reduce its impact on the digestive system.

How Can You Reduce Stress and Its Impact on Your Digestive System?

Here are six effective strategies for managing stress and calming an anxious stomach:

1. Practice deep breathing exercises: Take short breaks throughout the day to engage in slow, quiet deep breathing. This simple technique can have a profound effect on reducing stress and calming the digestive system.
2. Learn to say “no”: Overcommitting and trying to please everyone can lead to excessive stress. Recognize your limits and don’t be afraid to decline additional responsibilities when necessary.
3. Engage in regular physical activity: Exercise and yoga are excellent ways to reduce stress. Even 15 minutes of daily activity can trigger the release of endorphins, which promote positive feelings and help counter stress.
4. Focus on what you can control: Instead of worrying about things beyond your influence, concentrate on how you choose to react to problems. This includes your response to stomach issues – accepting them can help reduce anxiety and alleviate symptoms.
5. Try guided relaxation exercises: Incorporate daily guided relaxation or meditation sessions into your routine. These practices can promote a sense of calm that extends well beyond the duration of the exercise.
6. Seek professional help: If chronic worry and anxiety are significantly impacting your life, consider consulting a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be particularly effective in managing stress-related digestive issues.

The Role of Diet in Managing Stress-Related Stomach Problems

While stress reduction techniques are crucial, it’s equally important to consider the impact of diet on digestive health, especially when dealing with stress-related stomach issues.

How Does Diet Influence Stress-Related Digestive Problems?

Certain foods can exacerbate digestive discomfort, particularly when combined with stress. Common irritants include:

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Spicy foods
• High-fat meals
• Artificial sweeteners

Conversely, a balanced diet rich in fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats can support digestive health and help mitigate the effects of stress on the gut.

Should You Eliminate Certain Foods to Manage Stress-Related Stomach Issues?

While it’s not always necessary to completely eliminate trigger foods, it can be helpful to keep a food diary to identify items that seem to worsen your symptoms when you’re stressed. This information can guide you in making informed dietary choices during particularly stressful periods.

When to Seek Professional Help for Stress-Related Stomach Pain

Although many stress-related digestive issues can be managed through lifestyle changes and stress reduction techniques, there are times when professional medical intervention is necessary.

When Should You See a Specialist for Stress-Related Stomach Pain?

Consider consulting a gastroenterologist if you experience:

• Persistent or severe abdominal pain
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood in your stool
• Symptoms that significantly impact your daily life

A specialist can help determine if your symptoms are solely stress-related or if there’s an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.

The Importance of a Holistic Approach to Digestive Health

Addressing stress-related stomach problems often requires a multifaceted approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors.

Why Is a Comprehensive Approach Crucial in Treating Stress-Related Digestive Issues?

A holistic approach to managing stress-related digestive problems involves:

• Medical treatment: Addressing any underlying physical conditions or imbalances
• Psychological support: Managing stress and anxiety through therapy or counseling
• Lifestyle modifications: Implementing stress reduction techniques and dietary changes
• Social considerations: Addressing any social or environmental factors contributing to stress

By tackling the issue from multiple angles, you increase the likelihood of finding effective, long-term relief from stress-related stomach problems.

Innovative Approaches to Managing the Brain-Gut Connection

As our understanding of the brain-gut connection deepens, researchers and healthcare professionals are exploring new and innovative approaches to managing stress-related digestive issues.

What Are Some Cutting-Edge Treatments for Stress-Related Gut Problems?

Emerging treatments and areas of research include:

• Gut-directed hypnotherapy: A specialized form of hypnosis that targets the gut-brain connection
• Psychobiotics: Probiotics and prebiotics that may influence mood and stress levels through the gut-brain axis
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): A structured program that combines mindfulness meditation and yoga
• Neurofeedback: A technique that helps individuals learn to regulate their brain activity
• Vagus nerve stimulation: Non-invasive techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in the gut-brain connection

While some of these approaches are still in the experimental stages, they offer promising avenues for managing stress-related digestive issues in the future.

Building Resilience: Long-Term Strategies for Gut Health

Managing stress-related stomach problems is not just about addressing immediate symptoms; it’s about building long-term resilience to stress and promoting overall gut health.

How Can You Build Long-Term Resilience to Stress-Related Digestive Issues?

Developing resilience involves:

1. Cultivating a positive mindset: Practice gratitude and focus on the aspects of your life that bring you joy and fulfillment.
2. Developing a support network: Surround yourself with understanding friends and family who can provide emotional support during stressful times.
3. Prioritizing self-care: Make time for activities that recharge you, whether it’s reading, gardening, or pursuing a hobby.
4. Establishing healthy sleep habits: Adequate sleep is crucial for managing stress and maintaining gut health.
5. Practicing mindfulness: Regular mindfulness meditation can help you stay grounded and better equipped to handle stress.
6. Maintaining a balanced diet: Focus on nourishing your body with a variety of whole foods that support gut health.
7. Staying physically active: Regular exercise not only reduces stress but also promotes healthy digestion.

By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you can build a strong foundation for long-term gut health and stress resilience.

Can Stress-Related Digestive Issues Be Completely Cured?

While it may not always be possible to completely “cure” stress-related digestive issues, many individuals find that with proper management and lifestyle changes, they can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of their symptoms. It’s important to approach the process with patience and realistic expectations, understanding that improvement often occurs gradually over time.

Remember that everyone’s journey with stress-related stomach problems is unique. What works for one person may not be as effective for another. Be open to trying different approaches and working closely with healthcare professionals to find the combination of strategies that works best for you.

By understanding the intricate connection between your brain and gut, implementing stress-reduction techniques, making mindful dietary choices, and seeking professional help when needed, you can take significant steps toward managing stress-related stomach problems and improving your overall quality of life.

How to Calm an Anxious Stomach: The Brain-Gut Connection

Ever wonder why you get “butterflies” in your stomach before doing something stressful? Or why you feel like your stomach is “tied in knots” after an argument? Ever had a meeting with a toilet that went longer than expected and it wasn’t caused by anything you ate?  Stomach problems are one of the most common symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Researchers have identified a powerful connection between the gut and the brain. Like the brain, the gut is full of nerves. It contains the largest area of nerves outside the brain with the digestive tract and the brain sharing many of the same nerve connections.

Whether it’s a single nerve-wracking event or chronic worry and stress over time, stress can exact a physical toll on your digestive system.  When you are anxious, some of the hormones and chemicals released by your body enter your digestive tract, where they interfere with digestion. They have a negative effect on your gut flora (microorganisms that live in the digestive tract and aid digestion) and decrease antibody production. The resulting chemical imbalance can cause a number of gastrointestinal conditions.

Common stress-related gut symptoms and conditions include: 

• indigestion 
• stomach cramps 
• diarrhea
• constipation
• loss of appetite 
• unnatural hunger 
• nausea
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 
• and peptic ulcers

Once you suffer with one of these conditions, the condition itself can become a source of anxiety and greatly impact your quality of life. I have had many patients who experience diarrhea for example, who develop a fear having accidents in their pants which makes them afraid to leave their home or go certain places.  If you experience stomach cramps or indigestion, you might become fearful of these symptoms causing you to limit where and what you eat which could impact your social life.

Six Tips for Reducing Stress and Anxiety

1. Although stress is a normal part of life and impossible to avoid, there is good news. You can manage your stress so that it reduces its impact on your stomach. Here are six tips that can help you reduce stress AND the related tummy troubles.
2. Take short breaks and breathe. When done right this can really help. Every couple of hours, stop what you’re doing and do one minute of slow, quiet deep breathing.  You’ll be amazed at the results.  Your breathing should be very slow, silent, and through your nose. Push your stomach out when you inhale and let it deflate as you exhale.
3. Just say “no.” Trying to do everything and please everybody all the time is a surefire recipe for stress. Know your limits and when you’re close to reaching them, don’t accept additional responsibilities.
4. Exercise or do yoga. Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress, even if it’s only for fifteen minutes a day. When you exercise your body releases chemicals called endorphins which interact with receptors in your brain and trigger a positive feeling in your body.
5. Instead of stressing over things you can’t control focus on the things you can control, such as how you choose to react to problems. Your reaction is your choice, including how you react to your stomach issues. Accepting stomach problems will reduce your anxiety and curb your symptoms. Worrying about your stomach, only makes your symptoms worse.
6. Listen to a guided relaxation exercise daily. You’ll not only feel relaxed while doing it, but most people also experience a sense of calm that lasts for hours afterwards. 

Seek the help of a therapist who specializes in anxiety. It’s often too difficult to deal with chronic worry and complicated anxiety on your own. A skilled Cognitive Behavioral Therapist will know what to do. You can find a therapist at ADAA.org.  

It takes effort to reduce stress and its impact on the stomach. These suggestions can work if you implement them correctly and if you make them a daily priority. However, expecting immediate results and 100% absence of symptoms will only increase your frustration and symptoms.  Acceptance of some degree of stomach discomfort is important.  

Finally, take a look at your diet. Certain foods are known to irritate the stomach. Consult a doctor and try the recommended medical treatments. Many stomach disorders cannot be resolved with stress reduction alone. You must address the biological, psychological and social aspects when trying to resolve gut related problems.

Stress and stomach pain: When should you see a specialist?

Do you ever feel like there’s a knot in your stomach when you’re worried or stressed? Do nerves make you feel butterflies in your gut? If so, you’re not alone.

As a gastroenterologist, a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and liver, I help patients determine if their stomach pain is stress-related or if their symptoms are caused by a more serious condition.

Can stress or anxiety cause stomach pain?

Absolutely. Stress and anxiety are common causes of stomach pain and other GI symptoms.

Should I see a doctor if I get stomach pains when I am stressed?

You should be seeing your primary care physician at least once a year, and you should tell them if you often have stomach pain or GI discomfort.

If your primary care physician identifies symptoms of a chronic GI condition or other warning signs, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist like myself. A gastroenterologist can help determine if your stomach pain or GI symptoms are related to stress, or due to another condition that requires different treatment.

Why does stress cause stomach pain or GI discomfort?

We know through research there is a strong connection between our brain and our gut through the central nervous system. The enteric nervous system — an out-branching of the central nervous system — serves the GI tract, making a direct connection between our brain and gastrointestinal system. That connection can cause normal physiologic processes to be interpreted as painful under stressful or anxiety-provoking situations.

When we’re stressed, hormones and neurotransmitters are released in the body. This can negatively impact gut motility, or the way our intestines and stomach squeeze and move waste through the body. Also, stress can affect the delicate balance of bacteria in our gut, causing GI discomfort.

People experiencing chronic stress may also eat more or eat unhealthy foods with a higher amount of natural and artificial sugar that is poorly digested and causes GI distress. People may also smoke and drink more alcohol or caffeine than normal which can cause symptoms.

How can you tell when GI symptoms are associated with a temporarily stressful situation, or when it’s a more serious condition?

Warning signs like weight loss, blood in the stool, black tarry stools or abnormal lab values (that can reveal anemia) can indicate that something more serious is occurring. Any chronic GI symptoms will likely warrant an evaluation from a specialist and additional testing.

Should I be getting screened regularly for colon cancer or other GI tract cancers?

As of 2021, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) and major GI medical societies recommend that adults at average risk for colorectal cancer are regularly screened beginning at age 45.

People who have a family history of colorectal cancer or other GI tract cancers, including stomach or pancreas cancer, or a history of GI conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may need routine cancer screening earlier than age 45.

Talk your primary care physician about your risk and ask if you should get tested. 

In general, what conditions do gastroenterologists treat?

Gastroenterologists can evaluate for and treat a wide variety of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), celiac disease, peptic ulcer disease, obesity and more. GI doctors also routinely perform screenings for colon cancer.

My area of specialty is in prevention and early detection of cancers such as colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer. I enjoy helping patients, especially those with a family history, understand their risk for cancer while offering genetic testing, screening and more.

Overall, it’s important for patients to openly discuss stress and GI symptoms with their doctors. Primary care doctors can help manage stress and treat symptoms, but in some cases it may be necessary to see a gastroenterologist to evaluate for other conditions.

Stress and Your Gut – Gastrointestinal Society

Unreasonable deadlines. Being stuck in traffic. Having too much to do and not enough time to do it in. Most of us are familiar with these kinds of daily stresses that get our heart racing, our breath quickening, and our stomach churning. Of course, just having a digestive condition can be a source of anxiety in itself. Studies show that a major stressful event long-since passed could still be affecting your gut even now. Being stressed-out also causes many of us to overeat and drink too much alcohol, both of which affect our gut.

What is the real effect of stress on our gut? Many studies show that stressful life events are associated with the onset of symptoms, or worsening of symptoms, in several digestive conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and peptic ulcer disease. ¹

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

For inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, a study concluded that chronic stress, adverse life events, and depression could increase the risk of relapse in patients. This study identified a variety of mechanisms by which stress affects both the systemic and gastrointestinal immune and inflammatory responses. They note that translating these findings into therapeutic interventions based on stress reduction remains a challenge, as clinical trials monitoring the effects of existing stress reduction techniques on IBD have not shown promising results.²

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

In a prospective cohort study looking at almost 600 people whose gastroenteritis was caused by the bacterium Campylobacter, researchers found that the patient’s ability to handle stress before the infection was a pivotal factor in whether they went on to develop IBS. Those with higher levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and negative illness beliefs at the time of infection were at a greater risk to develop IBS. By contrast, depression and perfectionism did not seem to increase the risk of IBS. ³

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

In one study done at a medical centre for women’s health, researchers noted that there was no increased frequency of acid reflux when patients were under acute stress.⁴ However, in practice, chronically anxious patients were more likely to notice worsening of their symptoms during a stressful event.⁵ In other words, their attitude affected their perception of symptom severity.

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Most ulcers result from infection with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Contrary to old beliefs, neither eating spicy food nor living a stressful life cause ulcers. H. pylori bacteria weaken the protective mucous coating of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, which then allows acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. Both the acid and the bacteria irritate the lining and cause a sore, or ulcer. However, some evidence suggests that ongoing stress leads to mucosal lining inflammation, thereby allowing gastric juices to irritate the sensitive stomach lining underneath.⁵

All Digestive Conditions

Stress increases gut motility and fluid secretion. This is why you might get a bout of diarrhea or repeated urges to urinate during or following a stressful event. Stress can both delay emptying stomach contents and speed up passage of material through the intestines.⁵ This combination of activity leads to abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Additionally, acute psychological stress decreases a person’s pain threshold.⁶

How Do You Manage Stress?

The two extremes are that some people can handle major upsets without batting an eye, while others become distressed at the slightest deviation from their normal routine. It is important to remember that in small doses, stress can be a good thing. It can give you the push you need, motivating you to do your best and to stay focused and alert. Problems accumulate only when stress is constant.

The specific signs and symptoms of stress vary from person to person, but the potential to harm your health, emotional well-being, and relationships with others is real. Stress affects the mind, body, and behaviour in many ways apart from the digestive tract, including weight fluctuations, head and muscle aches, mood changes, and altered mental function.

You must find your own way to deal with stress in your life. Pre-planning some events might be worthwhile to reduce your overall stress level. By understanding how you deal with stress, you can make lifestyle changes that will lower your stress level, help you better cope with stress, and recover from stressful events more quickly.

Tips to Reduce Anxiety or Worry and De-Stress

Become a better breather. Stress can cause shallow breathing, which means that your body won’t get enough oxygen to fully relax. Learn to breathe more slowly and deeply from your abdomen. One way to do this is to imagine that you have a small beach ball behind your belly button, which you slowly inflate and deflate.

Watch your ‘self-talk’. Much of our anxiety is self-induced, meaning that we often get ourselves wound up worrying about worst-case scenarios or blowing small incidents out of proportion.

Monitor your negative thoughts to see how often you fret about things such as losing your job, or making mistakes. If you find yourself obsessing, try to substitute a negative thought with a positive, but realistic one. For example, instead of thinking, “I know something will go wrong during my presentation”, tell yourself, “No matter what happens, I can handle it.”

Get physical. Exercise is a well-known tension reducer and can help relieve symptoms. The paradox is that strenuous, high-impact exercises might induce GERD symptoms, so take care to increase exercise slowly and assess your body’s tolerance to this as you do.

Become a better time manager. Many of us underestimate the amount of time it will take to do something, which means we’re often running late. Try keeping a time management log for a week to get a better idea of how much time various tasks actually take, and then learn to prioritize them so that you’re getting the most important things done first. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself 20% more time than you think you need to do the task.

Learn to say no. Thinking you can ‘do it all’ creates unnecessary pressure. Learn how to set boundaries for yourself. Politely – yet firmly – turn down additional responsibilities or projects that you don’t have the extra time or energy for. Don’t feel obliged to give long, detailed explanations as to why. A simple, “I’d love to help you out, but I’m booked up,” will usually do in most cases.

Take time out for yourself. Our minds and bodies require a certain amount of variety, or else our overcharged nervous systems will keep speeding right into the next day. Try to take at least one day off each week to do something you really enjoy, whatever that may be. Remember to include things like getting enough sleep, exercising your faith, having a leisurely bath, listening to music, playing with a pet, having conversations with friends, or anything that gives you pleasure.

Have a good belly laugh. Laughter is a natural stress reliever that helps to lower blood pressure, slow your heart and breathing rate, and relax your muscles. How do you tickle your funny bone? Catch comedies, have a chuckle with a friend, and make an effort to look on the lighter side of life.

Choose foods carefully. Some foods can increase your stress level while others can help reduce it. Generally, fatty, sugary, and/or processed foods seem to increase stress in most people while lean meat, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables seem to decrease stress. Choose foods wisely and in addition to reducing stress, your body will love you for it!

First published in the

 Inside Tract® newsletter issue 162 – July/August 2007

Photo: pixabay.

com | caio_triana

1. Mayer, EA. The neurobiology of stress and gastrointestinal disease.

Gut 2000;47;861-869.
2. Mawdsley JE, Rampton DS. Psychological stress in IBD: New insights into pathogenic and therapeutic implications. Gut 2005;54:1481-1491.
3. Spence MJ, Moss-Morris R. The cognitive behavioural model of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective investigation of patients with gastroenteritis. Gut 2007;56:1066-1071.
4. Naliboff BD, Mayer M, et al. The effect of life stress on symptoms of heartburn. Psychosomatic Medicine 2004;66:426-434.
5. Mayer, EA. The neurobiology of stress and gastrointestinal disease. Gut 2000;47;861-869.
6. Mawdsley JE, Rampton DS. Psychological stress in IBD: News insights into pathogenic and therapeutic implications. Gut 2005;54:1481-1491.

How Stress Affects Digestion | Everyday Health

Have you ever have to make a “gut-wrenching” decision under pressure? Or were you ever so anxious that you had butterflies in your stomach? If so, then you know how stress can affect your digestive system.

The brain and the gut are connected and constantly in communication. In fact, more neurons reside in the gut then in the entire spinal cord, according to research published in the book Neuroscience.

“Stress can affect every part of the digestive system,” says Kenneth Koch, MD, professor of medicine in gastroenterology and medical director of the Digestive Health Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The gut is controlled in part by the central nervous system in the brain and spinal cord. In addition, it has its own network of neurons in the lining of the gastrointestinal system, known as the enteric or intrinsic nervous system. In fact, the system of nerves in your gut is so influential that some researchers consider the gut a second brain, as noted in an article published in Scientific American.

The enteric nervous system, along with its 100 million nerve cells that line your gastrointestinal tract from your esophagus to your rectum, regulates digestive processes like:

• Swallowing
• The release of enzymes to break down food
• The categorization of food as nutrients or waste products

Stress can significantly impact the way your body carries out these processes.

What Happens When Your Body Is Stressed?

When presented with a potentially threatening situation, the sympathetic nervous system — a part of the body’s autonomic nervous system, which regulates bodily functions like the heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure — responds by triggering a “fight-or-flight response,” releasing the stress hormone cortisol to make the body alert and prepared to face the threat.

Stress causes physiological changes, like a heightened state of awareness, faster breathing and heart rates, elevated blood pressure, a rise in blood cholesterol, and an increase in muscle tension.

When stress activates the flight-or-flight response in your central nervous system, Dr. Koch says that it can affect your digestive system by:

In more serious cases, stress may cause a decrease in blood flow and oxygen to the stomach, which could lead to cramping, inflammation, or an imbalance of gut bacteria. It can also exacerbate gastrointestinal disorders, including:

“Although stress may not cause stomach ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease, it can make these and other diseases of digestion worse,” Koch says. So it’s important to take measures to be in control during stressful situations and find ways to keep yourself calm.

6 Ways to Manage Stress

There are both psychological and physical ways to manage stress. But the same stress relieving technique might not work for everyone. Here are six options you can try:

1. Get Regular Exercise

Physical activity relieves tension and stimulates the release of chemicals in your brain called endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. Endorphins improve sleep, which can help relieve stress, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

“It’s one of the best ways to manage stress and maintain healthy digestion,” Koch says. A study published in 2014 in the journal Cognitive Behavioural Therapy examined the relationship between aerobic exercise and attentional focus during exercise on 33 patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and found that 89 percent of patients reported improvements in PTSD and anxiety sensitivity.

2. Consider Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a technique that has been proven to help reduce anxiety and stress by helping you learn to replace negative, distorted thoughts with positive ones. A study published in 2017 in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology looked at the effectiveness of CBT on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in those with IBD. Patients with IBD who reported low quality of life were randomly assigned a CBT intervention along with standard medical care for three and a half months. When compared with a control group, people with IBD who received CBT reported higher quality of life and lower levels of depression and anxiety.

3. Choose Stress-Busting Foods

A review published in May 2017 in the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews found that eating disorders and obesity can be associated with psychological stress. Cortisol, a hormone released by the adrenal glands, also increases appetite. Stress can affect food preferences, too. Studies have shown that “physical or emotional distress increases the intake of food high in fat, sugar, or both,” according to Harvard Medical School.

But there are certain foods that have been shown to reduce anxiety. Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are natural mood boosters. Almonds are chock full of magnesium, a mineral that helps manage cortisol levels. And oranges and other citrus fruits contain vitamin C, which can lower blood pressure, according to research published in January 2017 in the journal Scientific Reports.

4. Yoga

This mind-body practice combines physical poses with breathing techniques and meditation. According to a study published in 2018 in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, women who engaged in hour-long Hatha yoga classes three times a week for 12 sessions achieved significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression. Research also shows that yoga can lower blood pressure and heart rate.

5. Meditation

There are many meditation techniques that can help you focus your mind on an object, activity, or though to help you achieve calmness. Although the goal of meditation is not stress reduction, that is a side effect of this ancient practice.

A review published in 2018 in The Lancet Public Health looked at the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on resilience to stress in college students. Eight weekly Mindfulness Skills for Students (MSS) interventions were randomly administered to students for 75 to 90 minutes, focusing on mindfulness exercises and periods of self-reflection. At the end of the intervention, students in the MSS group reported lower levels of stress.

6. Develop Time-Management Skills

An important part of stress reduction is self-care. For many, this involves managing your time as effectively as possible. A study published in 2017 in the journal Electronic Physician looked at the relationships between time management, anxiety, and academic motivation in 441 nursing school students using self-reported questionnaires and scales. Students who did a poor job managing their time had higher levels of anxiety and less academic motivation than individuals who were better time managers.

You can improve your time-management skills by:

• Knowing your deadlines
• Planning ahead
• Setting goals
• Avoiding procrastination

Additional reporting by Nicol Natale.

Keep Stress From Causing an Upset Stomach

If you get butterflies in your stomach when you have to give a speech, drive through white-knuckle traffic, or argue with your spouse, you’re not alone: Stress can exact a very real physical toll on your digestive system. Your gut is extremely sensitive to stress and your overall emotions. And conversely, the right stress management techniques can help soothe an upset stomach.

The Link Between Your Gut and Your Emotions

The physical reason why emotions and stress can lead to stomachaches and other digestive problems is because the gut is highly sensitive and full of nerves, just like the brain.

“There is definitely a connection between the brain and the gut,” says Francisco J. Marrero, MD, a gastroenterologist with the Digestive Disease Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. “The gut is called the little brain — it’s the largest area of nerves outside the brain.”

Upset Stomach: Even Little Stresses Affect the Little Brain

Stress and nerves often have very noticeable physical symptoms that focus around the digestive tract.

“Any time you’re in a stressful situation, a lot of people will get butterflies in their stomach or may get diarrhea,” says Dr. Marrero. “It gets better when they get out of that stressful situation.”

And it’s not just the big events that lead to digestive problems or an upset stomach — you may have persistent stomachaches, but not quite be able to figure out what’s causing them. That’s because even small, daily stressors can affect the gut, says Marrero. He notes that there are many theories behind this connection between the gut and the brain, and that many different pathways communicate between the two that can lead to an upset stomach and other digestive problems as a result of stress.

“Sometimes we can try to reset the connection between the brain and the gut using medications for depression,” says Marrero. But you don’t always need medication to manage stress and regulate your digestive health.

Upset Stomach: Getting a Handle on Stress

If you want to settle an upset stomach that’s caused by nerves, it’s important to keep stress in check. Even daily stresses like job worries and problems at home can lead to subtle digestive problems.

Identifying the cause of the stress, understanding the gut’s natural reaction to it, and keeping stress under control are the most important parts of managing stress-related stomachaches and other digestive problems.

To reduce stress and manage digestive problems on your own, try these stress management tips:

• Consider counseling to deal with what’s bothering you.
• Try cognitive therapy.
• Keep a journal of what’s stressing you, how you feel, and what you did to feel better.
• Don’t take on more than you can handle — say no when you need to.
• Prioritize your responsibilities.
• Put problems in perspective, and stay positive about the good things in your life.

Your body’s automatic response to stress and other emotions may be a digestive reaction, which just goes to show how closely related your physical and emotional health really are. But that doesn’t mean that your stomach has to suffer every time you get upset or nervous. Learn how to tame your stress and keep it under control to keep digestive problems caused by your emotions under control as well.

Return to the Digestive Health Awareness Center.

Is Stress from COVID-19 Upsetting Your Stomach? 7 Self Comfort Tips to Try

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That stomachache you feel with each update on the COVID-19 outbreak? It’s real. So, too, are the indigestion and the heartburn. They’re symptoms of stress that manifest in the emotive digestive system, the connection between the brain and the gut. Stress-related digestive troubles may be on the rise as people around the globe worry in the midst of a pandemic, experts warn.

“Stress and anxiety can trigger more frequent or stronger contractions in the GI tract which some may perceive as uncomfortable or even painful,” says Michigan Medicine gastroenterologist William Chey, M.D., a professor of gastroenterology and nutritional sciences at Michigan Medicine.

In addition to belly pain, stress can trigger a wide range of other gut symptoms including heartburn, nausea, bloating, a change in bowel pattern, or in rare cases, even rectal pain, Chey says. Patients who already have irritable bowel syndrome, a chronic condition marked by stomach pain, cramping and a change in bowel habits, may see an uptick in their symptoms.

“Everyone reacts to stress differently,” he says.

Why does the stomach feel stress?

Stress impacts the gut because each person has a “hard wired connection” between the brain in the head and the nervous system housed within the GI tract called the enteric nervous system, Chey says. The enteric nervous system lives within the wall of the GI tract and communicates through the spinal cord with the brain. While the enteric nervous system typically runs the GI tract independently, the brain can influence how it behaves. In times of stress, it may send a distress signal that makes the GI system run differently. In addition, stress makes the nerves in the gut overly sensitive so things that normally aren’t even perceived at a conscious level are perceived as unpleasant gut symptoms.

“Everybody knows somebody that during high school before a big exam or an athletic event would have to run to the bathroom,” Chey says. “It happens because of the impact of stress or anxiety in the GI tract.”

SEE ALSO: Diaphragmatic Breathing for GI Patients

It’s normal to get mild, intermittent symptoms with stress or anxiety, Chey adds.

And despite their reputation, ulcers aren’t the result of too much stress. Typically, they emerge because of two causes. The first is an infection in the stomach from a bacterium known as H. pylori, and about 30% of U.S. residents get an H. pylori infection, the National Institutes of Health reports. The second cause is from medications, with aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen being the biggest culprits, Chey says.

Stress effects on the body

The gut has hundreds of millions of neurons which can function fairly independently and are in constant communication with the brain—explaining the ability to feel “butterflies” in the stomach. Stress can affect this brain-gut communication, and may trigger pain, bloating, and other gut discomfort to be felt more easily. The gut is also inhabited by millions of bacteria which can influence its health and the brain’s health, which can impact the ability to think and affect emotions.

Stress is associated with changes in gut bacteria which in turn can influence mood. Thus, the gut’s nerves and bacteria strongly influence the brain and vice versa.

Early life stress can change the development of the nervous system as well as how the body reacts to stress. These changes can increase the risk for later gut diseases or dysfunctioning.

Esophagus

When stressed, individuals may eat much more or much less than usual. More or different foods, or an increase in the use of alcohol or tobacco, can result in heartburn or acid reflux. Stress or exhaustion can also increase the severity of regularly occurring heartburn pain. A rare case of spasms in the esophagus can be set off by intense stress and can be easily mistaken for a heart attack.

Stress also may make swallowing foods difficult or increase the amount of air that is swallowed, which increases burping, gassiness, and bloating.

Stomach

Stress may make pain, bloating, nausea, and other stomach discomfort felt more easily. Vomiting may occur if the stress is severe enough. Furthermore, stress may cause an unnecessary increase or decrease in appetite. Unhealthy diets may in turn deteriorate one’s mood.

Contrary to popular belief, stress does not increase acid production in the stomach, nor causes stomach ulcers. The latter are actually caused by a bacterial infection. When stressed, ulcers may be more bothersome.

Bowel

Stress can also make pain, bloating, or discomfort felt more easily in the bowels. It can affect how quickly food moves through the body, which can cause either diarrhea or constipation. Furthermore, stress can induce muscle spasms in the bowel, which can be painful.

Stress can affect digestion and what nutrients the intestines absorb. Gas production related to nutrient absorption may increase.

The intestines have a tight barrier to protect the body from (most) food related bacteria. Stress can make the intestinal barrier weaker and allow gut bacteria to enter the body. Although most of these bacteria are easily taken care of by the immune system and do not make us sick, the constant low need for inflammatory action can lead to chronic mild symptoms.

Stress especially affects people with chronic bowel disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. This may be due to the gut nerves being more sensitive, changes in gut microbiota, changes in how quickly food moves through the gut, and/or changes in gut immune responses.

Scientists have found out why the stomach is upset under stress

https://ria.ru/20200901/stress-1576569775.html

Scientists have found out why the stomach is upset under stress

Scientists have found out why the stomach is upset under stress – RIA Novosti. 09/01/2020

Scientists have found out why the stomach is upset during stress

American neurophysiologists have found that the love hormone oxytocin is the link between stress and digestive problems.Research results … RIA Novosti, 09/01/2020

2020-09-01T12: 36

2020-09-01T12: 36

2020-09-01T12: 36

science

discoveries – RIA science

health

biology

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MOSCOW, September 1 – RIA Novosti.American neuroscientists have found that the love hormone oxytocin is the link between stress and digestive problems. Published in The Journal of Physiology, stress is known to disrupt gastrointestinal function, causing bloating, discomfort, nausea and diarrhea. Previous research has shown that nerves and neural networks that regulate gastric muscle function and gastric emptying respond to stress by altering their responses and activity. Scientists from the College of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, using new ways to manipulate neurons, have been able to track neural networks in the brains of rats that are affected by the hormone oxytocin, which is released by the hypothalamus in response to stress. Simultaneously, they measured the motility of the stomach and intestines of animals. For a long time it was believed that the effect of oxytocin on the nerves in the brain that regulate the functions of the gastrointestinal tract is negligible. However, the results of the study showed that oxytocin chains play an important role in the stomach’s response to stress.Activation of these circuits delays gastric emptying and simultaneously accelerates colon transit. The first causes bloating, due to the fact that food is retained in the stomach, discomfort and nausea, and the second – diarrhea. In experiments, the researchers caused various forms of stress in rats and manipulated oxytocin neural networks, which allowed them to activate or inhibit muscle activity in the stomach. and to measure gastric emptying time. Results have shown that oxytocin neural circuits play an important role in the stomach’s response to stress – their activation eliminates the delayed gastric emptying observed in acute or chronic stress responses, increasing stomach tone and motility and thereby providing adaptation to stress.Conversely, suppression of these neural networks interferes with adaptation to stress by delaying gastric emptying and reducing gastric tone. Researchers emphasize that the ability to adequately respond to stress is important for normal physiological functions. Stress-related digestive disorders are particularly common in women. “Women are more vulnerable to stress and stress-related pathologies such as anxiety and depression, and gastrointestinal disorders are more common among them,” according to a press release from the American Physiological Society the words of one of the authors of the study, Alberto Travagli.- Our previous studies have shown that the vagus nerve circuits in men and women are organized differently. We are now completing a series of studies exploring the role and mechanisms by which oxytocin modulates gastric function in stressed women. This will help develop targeted therapies to alleviate the condition of women with gastrointestinal disorders. ”The authors believe it is important to understand the mechanisms that govern gastric function in order to determine the goals of effective treatment for disturbed gastric stress responses, and their new study provides important insight into the role of oxytocin in control of neural networks that affect the digestive system during stress.

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discoveries – RIA science, health , biology

MOSCOW, September 1 – RIA Novosti. American neuroscientists have found that the love hormone oxytocin is the link between stress and digestive problems. The research results are published in The Journal of Physiology.

Stress is known to disrupt gastrointestinal function, causing bloating, discomfort, nausea and diarrhea. Previous research has shown that nerves and neural networks that regulate gastric muscle function and gastric emptying respond to stress by altering their responses and activity.

Scientists from the College of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, using new methods of manipulating neurons, were able to track neural networks in the brains of rats, which are affected by the hormone oxytocin, which is released by the hypothalamus in response to stress.Simultaneously, they measured the motility of the stomach and intestines of the animals.

It has long been thought that the effect of oxytocin on the nerves in the brain that regulate the functions of the gastrointestinal tract is negligible. However, the results of the study showed that oxytocin chains play an important role in the stomach’s response to stress.

Activation of these circuits delays gastric emptying and simultaneously accelerates colon transit. The former causes bloating, due to the fact that food lingers in the stomach, discomfort and nausea, and the latter causes diarrhea.

13 July 2020, 12:09 Science Scientists found a link between stress hormone and blood sugar …

The results showed that oxytocin neural circuits play an important role in the stomach’s response to stress – their activation eliminates the delayed gastric emptying observed in acute or chronic stress responses, increasing stomach tone and motility and thereby allowing adaptation to stress.Conversely, suppression of these neural networks prevents adaptation to stress, delaying gastric emptying and reducing its tone.

Researchers emphasize that the ability to adequately respond to stress is important for normal physiological functions. Stress-related digestive disorders are especially common in women.

“Women are more vulnerable to stress and stress-related pathologies such as anxiety and depression, and gastrointestinal disorders are more common among them,” co-author Alberto Travagli said in a press release from the American Physiological Society. …- Our previous studies have shown that the vagus nerve circuits in men and women are organized differently. We are now completing a series of studies exploring the role and mechanisms by which oxytocin modulates gastric function in stressed women. This will help develop targeted therapies to alleviate the condition of women with gastrointestinal disorders. ” oxytocin in the control of neural networks that affect the digestive system during stress.

March 4, 2020, 14:20

Resistance to stress varies greatly from person to person. The strong effect of stress produces the emergence of psychosomatic reactions only if the body cannot respond adequately to a specific stress factor.

Stress occurs for a variety of reasons – as a result of family problems, loss of a job, separation from a loved one, death of a loved one, divorce, infidelity – all this leads to severe stress.All troubles and emergency work can also be the reason for the development of digestive psychosomatics – stomach and duodenal ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome – IBS, which torments patients with frequent diarrhea, indigestion, and abdominal pain is also known. But stress does not always lead to gastrointestinal diseases.

The strength of the stress factor can be great, and the person copes. But only for a limited time – then, in order to continue resisting troubles and encounters with serious problems, serious rest and recovery are needed.Often, a person does not have time to notice this fatigue, or there are no conditions to rest.

A supportive environment, a supportive environment in relationships with friends and family members, is very important for coping with stress.

WHY DOES STRESS DESTROY THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS?

When a person is faced with a sharp appearance of problems, the glands produce stress hormones, the heart “fills with blood” – there is a readiness to fight.The stomach and intestines, and the entire digestive system, as it were, turns off, it is not up to it to digest food, the body has a more important task of self-preservation, for which a person must attack or run away.

If we are talking about an animal, then after a fight it rests. A person, depending on his character, may unconsciously continue to fight after a fight, especially after an unsuccessful fight.

Stress-related factors are sleep disorders – insomnia, circulation of thoughts, restless sleep with awakenings, nightmares.

If the duration of the stress factor exceeds the body’s resources, then nervous exhaustion, increased sweating, a feeling of weakness, the so-called chronic fatigue syndrome, aggravate chronic diseases.

Gastritis – inflammation of the gastric mucosa is a very common disease associated with psychosomatic causes, manifested by pain in the stomach and digestive disorders. With prolonged stress, the blood supply and functions of the gastric mucosa are disturbed, immunity decreases and the regeneration of mucosal cells, which works in difficult conditions – acid and enzymes, deteriorates.Gastritis is a witness to stress.

PU and DU – gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer is a more serious lesion of the mucous membrane and underlying tissues, in which a wound is formed that is not covered with mucosal cells, which are protected from acid and enzymes. The ulcer is accompanied by an infection of Helicobacter pylori, this is a very common microbe, with normal immunity and the absence of distress, its development is unlikely.

Biliary dyskinesia is a violation of the movement of bile through the channels from the gallbladder to the duodenum.The movement is regulated by the sphincters and peristalsis of the gallbladder – these reactions are not controlled by consciousness and are disturbed in anxiety and stress.

Irritable bowel syndrome . Its cause is a violation of blood supply, peristalsis and microflora – due to stress and mental overload, overwork.

Psychosomatics of digestion associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa – gastritis, UBD and DU, IBS – require psychotherapy, special psychotherapeutic methods of self-regulation, and sometimes the use of drugs that can be prescribed by a psychotherapist.

PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR PSYCHOSOMATIC DISEASES OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.

Psychotherapy for psychosomatics of the stomach and intestines is to turn off the stressful regime of the body – to digest food normally, to restore the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, healthy microflora – is possible only at rest, and not in tension.

Methods of psychotherapy consist of hypnosis, teaching autogenous training, training and the development of a coping strategy.

The main attention should be paid to the selection of all stress factors that have an impact. Stress from dysfunctional family relationships, from conflicts at work. Internal conflicts are also stressful, especially if a person cannot make some important decision for a long time.

Techniques of psychological self-regulation are special training, exercises, in order to reduce the body’s response to stress.

Yoga, oriental holistic arts, martial arts, breathing gynasties are of great benefit in tuning the body to the correct anti-stress wave.

WHEN YOU SHOULD CONSULT A PSYCHOTHERAPIST FOR STOMACH AND INTESTINAL DISEASES

1. You have been treated by a gastroenterologist for a long time and there are no results – ulcers and colitis return in stressful situations

2. You feel that psychosomatic diseases of the stomach and intestines are your experiences and stresses, but you don’t understand which ones and don’t know how to cope with them

3. If you, along with stomach and intestinal symptoms – pain, indigestion, indigestion, feel tired or stressed, poor sleep or insomnia, depressed mood.

Prepared by psychologist V.R. Lyutomskaya

“Stomach problems are even due to stress”: an interview with a gastroenterologist – Articles

Anxiety patients, gastroscopy under anesthesia and a useful menu

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are among the most common in comparison with pathologies of other organs.

According to Rospotrebnadzor, in Russia, more than 50-60% of people suffer from disorders of the digestive system only among the adult population, and in large cities this figure reaches 95%.What are the symptoms of such diseases, how often do you need to be examined, what methods of treatment exist today and how to prevent the disease.

Marina Smirnova, a gastroenterologist, head of the polyclinic at the Russian-Finnish Medical Center Terve, answered these questions.

How often are gastrointestinal problems treated?

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT), or digestive system, is one of the largest systems in our body, starting in the mouth and ending in the rectum.Everything that we eat is processed, digested, assimilated and excreted here, and since it is far from always possible to eat properly, everyone has experienced some unpleasant symptoms (heartburn, pain), and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are the most common throughout the world.

Other organs and systems, including the immune system, also depend on the work of the gastrointestinal tract, since some of the cells of the immune system are located in the intestines, as well as the nervous and endocrine ones. Skin problems, and most of the oncological diseases also occur in the digestive tract.Therefore, there are always enough appeals with gastrointestinal problems.

When should I see a gastroenterologist?

You need to think about visiting a doctor when some unpleasant symptom associated with digestion bothers you regularly, 1-2 times a week and for a long time, especially if you feel heaviness, pain, heartburn, bloating, problems with stools and etc. And certainly go to the doctor if there are night pains, weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool.

Now, against the backdrop of a pandemic, most people who have undergone coronavirus took a large number of drugs, including antibacterial ones, there are problems with the intestines, with the liver, and this requires mandatory consultation with a doctor, plus the number of so-called “alarming” patients in whom, due to constant stress and experiences, all symptoms intensify, diseases worsen, which requires mandatory examination and treatment.

What methods of examination of the gastrointestinal tract are there today?

The comprehensive survey plan includes instrumental methods – EGDS (FGS), colonoscopy, ultrasound, duodenal intubation, and various laboratory tests – blood, feces and others.Moreover, a person who makes an appointment with a gastroenterologist is warned that it is best to come prepared, that is, on an empty stomach, then he can go through almost all the necessary procedures in one day – ultrasound, FGS, take a blood test, if one is necessary according to indications. Based on the results of the examination, the patient is prescribed treatment and all the necessary recommendations. Thus, he does not have to waste his time and visit several different medical institutions.

Endoscopic examinations (EGDS, colonoscopy) in our clinic are carried out on modern equipment from Pentax Medical (Japan), in which video endoscopes are thin, of small diameter and a modern video system, this allows you to receive an HD + quality (high definition) image, which improves the quality of diagnostics and allows you to detect mucosal lesions with sizes from 1 mm.

When conducting a survey, photographs of all examined departments must be taken. In addition, the equipment in our center is equipped with the “i-scan” function, this is a digital image enhancement that improves visualization, strengthens the structures of tissues and blood vessels, which can help in the identification and description of diseases.

In addition, if necessary, liquid chromoscopy is performed, that is, the painting of mucous membranes directly with special dye solutions to improve the quality of examination in difficult cases.

Many are afraid of endoscopic examinations, because they are associated with a specific discomfort. In order to completely avoid unpleasant sensations during the endoscopy and colonoscopy, medication sedation (medication sleep) is used. It is better to sign up for the procedure in a dream in advance, but this issue can be resolved already in the endoscopic office. For this, an anesthesiologist is present in our medical center during the EGDS and colonoscopy procedures. If the patient understands that he is uncomfortable undergoing examination without sedation, then the anesthesiologist provides assistance, immersing the patient in a safe and accurately calculated medication sleep.

According to the indications, EGDS and colonoscopy can be performed at any age, but routine examinations are carried out even without indications as screening for cancer, depending on age. So, EGDS (FGS) is recommended after 35-40 years, colonoscopy – after 40-45 years without fail.

How often are gastrointestinal problems accompanied by concomitant diseases?

Very often. An organism is an integral system, and malfunctions in one of the systems lead to disruption in the other.For example, disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland can lead to problems with stool, the unstable work of the nervous system to the same unstable work of the intestine, and vice versa, and the presence of helminths (opisthorchus) living in the bile ducts disrupts not only the work of the liver and pancreas, but also has a negative effect on the entire body: both the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system can suffer, the skin, joints, etc. can be affected.

Therefore, it is important not to choose the examination yourself, but to start with the consultation of a doctor who will carefully collect complaints and anamnesis and prescribe a comprehensive examination to exclude concomitant diseases.To do this, specialists such as an endocrinologist, neurologist, proctologist, gynecologist, urologist and many others, and any person who applies can get advice from any specialist in a short time.Such an integrated approach allows you to establish an accurate diagnosis, prescribe the correct treatment and solve health problems.

How to prevent gastrointestinal diseases?

In the prevention of any diseases, and not only of the digestive tract, nutrition plays a huge role – it should be regular, balanced, natural. At my reception, I talk about this in great detail, because a person is what he eats. The diet should contain a lot of foods containing fiber: greens, vegetables and fruits (of different colors), nuts, this is the so-called “rainbow on a plate”, and preferably at every meal.

It is better to season vegetables with healthy vegetable oil – olive, pumpkin, etc., now there is a very large selection of oils. Protein foods are also important: fish and seafood, poultry and eggs, various cereals (preferably whole grains). Also fermented milk products, but you need to carefully look at how the body perceives them, whether there is an individual intolerance. All products are best stewed or baked, rather than fried.

It is very important to properly handle and prepare river fish.We live in an endemic region in which most of the fish from the Yenisei, Angara, Chulym basins are infected with helminths and insufficient freezing, heat treatment is a high risk of contracting opisthorchiasis, diphyllobatriasis. If a parasitic invasion is suspected, feces and / or bile should be examined for the presence of parasites.

You can take a stool test and conduct duodenal intubation in our medical center, but here you can also carry out deworming (treatment) after a certain preparation, under the supervision of a doctor, and the drug “Biltricid” (“Praziquantel”) is always available.

The prevention of any diseases is an active lifestyle, and a full 8 hour sleep, and preventive examinations: as I said, EGDS after 35-40 years, colonoscopy after 45-50 years, annual monitoring of hemoglobin, ESR, glucose, cholesterol and other biochemical parameters.

Thus, a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, physical activity, good sleep, a positive attitude, as well as an attentive attitude to any distress signals from the gastrointestinal tract and other organs (our body, as a rule, sends them on time), can protect us from severe chronic diseases.

It is definitely not worth putting up with them, and if they have already arisen, you need to consult a doctor in time and start competent treatment. The doors of our clinic are open to everyone, and our specialists will always help you deal with any health problems. Welcome to TERVE!

90,000 How stress affects the stomach and what to do about it

The abundance of stress that modern people experience negatively affects the functioning of many body systems, including the digestive tract. Many diseases start asymptomatically, so early diagnosis is important.

The number of people complaining of unpleasant symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract is growing. Among the reasons are unbalanced meals, snacks, late dinners, fast food, bad habits and stress.

Stress disrupts the functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Research has shown that nerves and neural networks that regulate gastric muscle function respond to stress by altering their responses and activity.”Women are more vulnerable to stress and stress-related pathologies such as anxiety and depression, and gastrointestinal disorders are more common among them,” according to a study by the American Physiological Society.

According to the Federal State Statistics Service, in the structure of the general morbidity of the population, diseases of the digestive system hold a stable 5-6th place. The share of diseases of the digestive system in the structure of the overall morbidity in children 0-14 years old is 3. 6%, adolescents 15-17 years old – 4.7%, adults (18 years old and older, working-age population) – 6.8%, older population – 8.0%.In the structure of diseases of the digestive system in all age groups, gastritis and duodenitis prevail, in adults, including the population older than the working age, – diseases of the gallbladder and biliary tract. Oncological diseases of the stomach, esophagus and pancreas account for 12.9% of all cancer cases in men and 8% in women.

Igor Barabanov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, endoscopist at the Zdravitsa Family Medicine Center noted that a steady increase in diseases of the digestive system is noted all over the world every year.

The effectiveness and speed of treatment of most diseases of the digestive system largely depends on the timeliness of the detection of the disease. In the early stages, all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are successfully treated, their course is corrected, the risks to the patient’s health and quality of life are reduced or leveled out completely.

Natalia Sukhareva, founder of the Zdravitsa network of centers:

– Zdravitsa has been working in the segment of outpatient medicine for 18 years and is guided by the basic postulate: we want to prevent diseases, not cure them.Preventive preventive medicine is our priority vector of movement. Proper nutrition and gastrointestinal function are fundamental prerequisites for health. A large number of diseases have roots in the malfunctioning of the gastrointestinal tract. That is why we have taken this direction as the main one for development within our network.

Why EGD is considered the best procedure for diagnosing gastrointestinal problems

“Endoscopic research methods play a leading role in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases,” says Barabanov. One of the most modern methods for diagnosing the stomach and duodenum is video gastroscopy (VGDS). This is a method of examining the esophagus, stomach and duodenum using a flexible endoscope, which replaced the conservative EGD.

Such a study is being carried out in the Novosibirsk centers “Zdravitsa”. Here video gastroscopy is performed on the most modern digital endoscopic video complexes of the expert class “Evis Exera”, manufactured by OLYMPUS, Japan, the world leader in the production of endoscopic equipment.The advantage of this device is undeniable. Typically, the duration of a standard procedure is 10-15 minutes, and the endoscopic video complex in “Zdravitsa” allows you to carry out the procedure in 5-7 minutes, significantly reducing the patient’s discomfort. Another important difference is the thin endoscope – 9.2 mm, while the usual thickness of the endoscope is 1-1.5 cm, which allows the procedure to be carried out as comfortably as possible.

Photo: “Zdravitsa”

The advantages of video gastroscopy are that the video image transmitted to the PC is clear, bright, sharp, unlike the devices and procedures of the previous generation. This makes it possible to distinguish inflammatory phenomena from precancerous pathology and early forms of tumors, to visualize capillaries and structures of the mucous membrane with high accuracy.

Igor Barabanov said that the wide range of flexible endoscopes available at Zdravitsa allows for timely diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum in adults and children.

The center has a modern endoscope processing unit – a reprocessor.She carries out ultrasonic cleaning, washing, disinfection of the endoscope, and during the cleaning process, testing for its tightness is carried out.

The undoubted advantage of video endoscopes is the ability to save images in digital format. Modern devices allow you to get an image with a magnification of 115-120 times.

Endoscopist Grigory Yagin. Photo: “Zdravitsa”

“Another unique ability of the Zdravitsa endoscope is the examination in a narrow light spectrum, NBI mode,” comments Igor Barabanov. “Its use in studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract helps to identify malignant lesions at an early stage.”

If pathological changes (polyps, erosion, ulcers, education) are detected, material is immediately taken for histological examination (biopsy), and in “Zdravitsa” they conduct a study of the gastric mucosa for the presence of Helicobacter Pylori bacteria.

After the procedure, the doctor looks at the diagnostic video together with the patient on the screen and gives a full description of what he saw for the attending doctor. The conclusion is handed out immediately after the examination, and you can also make a printout of the image or save the video image to a flash drive.

Elena Tomashkova, chief physician of the network of centers “Zdravitsa”:

– Endoscopic examination is indicated for patients with complaints of heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, belching, frequent vomiting, persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, as well as when anemia is detected, the presence of first-line relatives with stomach cancer.For prophylactic purposes, video gastroscopy is prescribed in the absence of complaints to people over 40 years old. The study is carried out strictly according to the doctor’s prescription.

How is the procedure

Usually, the procedure is carried out on an empty stomach in the morning or in the afternoon after the necessary preparation. After talking with the doctor, the patient is laid on his side. At the beginning of the procedure, local anesthesia of the oropharynx is performed to minimize the possible gag reflex. The doctor inserts an endoscope through the mouth and examines it.

During the entire procedure, the endoscopist and nurse are with the patient. Doctors note that the stereotype about the painfulness of the VGDS procedure is greatly exaggerated.

In “Zdravitsa” examination is carried out by some of the best endoscopists in Novosibirsk. Elena Tomashkova emphasized that the clinic places high demands on doctors who want to become part of the team. “The doctor performing the endoscopic examination must be attentive, responsible, able to set up and support the patient during this procedure,” says the speaker.

The patient can undergo the procedure both on weekdays and on weekends at a convenient time for him on the right or left bank. “Most of our patients not only do not experience significant discomfort during video gastroscopy, but also become our regular patients, performing this procedure once a year,” says Igor Barabanov.

Contacts of Zdravitsa centers:
new branch – st. Titova, 22 “a”, BC Stalin-house, 4th floor
st.1905, 73, 1st floor
st. Derzhavin, 28, 1st floor
st. Shevchenko, 31 “a”, 1st floor (entrance 1 and entrance 2)
st. Dusi Kovalchuk, 272/1, 1st floor
pl. Marx, 7, 3rd floor
zdravitsa.ru, single call center: 8 (383) 362-02-00

Persons. LO-54-01-006164 dated 25.12.2020.

90,000 eternal business companion – stress

Stress is the engine of life; a person needs it in certain doses.One could award the Nobel Prize to anyone who finds at least one adult who has never been in stressful situations in his life. However, everything is good in moderation. Entrepreneurs and managers often go hand in hand with stress throughout their careers, it has literally become a part of their profession, only the premium for “harm”, as in hazardous industries, no one pays them, and chronic stress is still not considered an occupational disease – says a gastroenterologist at the Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Center (Lithuania, Vilnius) Dalia Gruslene.

Profession costs or lifestyle?

– I can draw a typical portrait of a woman entrepreneur who comes to my appointment with complaints: a young, active, spectacular woman, a careerist, who at the same time drags the whole house on herself, but not just a keeper of the hearth, but – “into the burning hut “. In short, there is the usual “super-woman” syndrome. The man is an intelligent, ambitious workaholic who cannot remember the last time he was on vacation. In our Center, the majority of young and middle-aged patients with digestive problems are entrepreneurs and leaders.It is the category that is constantly in a situation of competition and a crazy race.

Stress is an occupational disease of businessmen, as well as of doctors themselves, which is born from the inconsistency of the actions that we perform in the external environment in response to psychological stress. In fact, stress is an adaptive response of a person that allows him to survive in the environment and avoid dangers. It is this mechanism, laid down by nature, that triggers those processes when the experiences perceived by our body as a danger move from the psychological to the physical level, since psychology and physiology are inextricably linked.

How it happens

Stress can be acute or chronic. Acute stress usually causes significant upheavals in a person’s life, even if positive ones. The body responds to such shocks with a “fight or flight” reaction. Under the influence of the factor that caused stress, blood pressure rises, the respiratory tract expands, hormones are released, all the muscles of the body come into hypertonicity, the pulse quickens due to heart contractions, there is a rapid release of glucose in the blood, and sometimes an upset of the gastrointestinal tract occurs.

If, after an acute short-term stress, life returns to its usual course, for health everything proceeds without consequences, however, if this is repeated regularly, then the body’s ability to beat or run gradually fades away, and then exhaustion comes, opening the door to various diseases.

Chronic stress means that there is no such highly traumatic factor, but subjectively unpleasant, unbearable stimuli are constantly exposed. These can be pressures at work, in the family, the environment, and even climate change.

At the physical level, reactions to chronic stress are perhaps most vividly expressed. However, the practice of gastroenterologists shows that it is necessary to prescribe a lot of studies in order to convince the patient, based on their results, that stress is at the heart of his ailments. These can be functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome and other gastroenterological diseases, which are almost impossible to cure if the patient tries to go only medication and is not inclined to pay attention to the second, psychological, cause of the origin of his disease.

Stress and addiction

Stress also gives rise to various unhealthy addictions, which eventually began to be called diseases – “addiction diseases”: smoking, alcoholism and overeating.

Eating disorders always lead to weight problems. Overeating – to excess weight, as well as to problems with the liver, blood vessels, joints, loss of appetite – to weakening the body, loss of vital minerals and vitamins, decreased immunity.

How to deal with stress

Many scientists, psychiatrists, business coaches are breaking their spears over this topic, but Pope Benedict XVI has shown an excellent example, in my opinion. The 85-year-old pontiff weighed all the pros and cons and said that his physical strength is inadequate for his position, so he retires. Undoubtedly, many were against his decision, however, I think that he showed great respect for his body, as a creation of God, and responsibility in the understanding that it could no longer serve in the way that his dignity requires of him.An example of such a high level speaks volumes about how important it is to set priorities and revise your lifestyle.

We, doctors, can become helpers for the patient, guides who will help to get around sharp corners, to avoid more trouble. Nevertheless, it is human understanding and cooperation that is important, not the opinion that a doctor can solve all problems with the help of drugs.

Work is not a wolf, it will not run away into the forest

In the first half of the last century, Canadian physiologist Hans Selye, studying stress, stated that it is impossible to completely avoid stress in life.What to do then? When it comes to work, I teach patients how important it is to organize work so that they do not miss their lunch break or work overtime. But if you are both an employee and an employer, like most of my patients? Adhering to work hygiene is difficult, but I advise you to stop and evaluate what we are achieving and what the cost of this effort is. Earnings, the state economy, of course, are important, but this is nothing without a healthy and happy person. You always need to find time and opportunities to relax after work and, especially important for businessmen, “from work”.The ability to switch is a key skill for a long and healthy life. This, by the way, is greatly helped by creative activity and truly enjoyable, and not invented for the sake of fashion, hobbies. It’s great if your hobby is sports. Muscles have to work every day to burn stress hormones.

Where is the benefit?

On the other hand, is the absence of stress always a good thing? To understand this, you must imagine an environment where it is always safe, and all physiological needs are met immediately.Probably, such a comfortable zone is similar to the one that we had in childhood near the mother’s breast. It is an inner feeling that we should strive for. It will be the perfect relaxation that you can practice every day by finding your own space to hide from the exhausting hustle and bustle. But after all, being only in such an environment, you can remain an unprotected child forever. Stress is the engine of life, so a healthy portion of it is necessary for a person. As a result of stress, adaptive abilities increase, there is a concentration of both physical and mental strength, thanks to which a person copes more successfully with the obstacle that has arisen, but this applies only to short-term exposure.With prolonged stress, such overloads bring significant harm, depleting the body, disrupting the work of all systems, and the digestive system in particular.

How to avoid and recover from stress

• Reconsider your priorities and weigh the pros and cons, it is better to earn a little less, but stay healthy, and save money on medications.
• Find time and ways to relax after work and “from work”, do not forget about lunch break.
• Find a truly fulfilling hobby by avoiding hobbies for the sake of fashion.
• Go in for sports. Muscles have to burn stress hormones every day.
• Create a comfort zone in which you can be alone with yourself every day, escaping from the daily hustle and bustle and stress.

If you cannot cope with stress on your own, be sure to seek help from a doctor, because from my side I can say that the number of gastrointestinal disorders associated with chronic and latent stress has been increasing recently.This is the statistics not only for Lithuania. If you have any problems, do not delay and contact our Center for gastroenterologists. For busy people, it will be valuable that in Vilnius, in the Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Center, you can research and receive competent treatment within just one day thanks to the well-coordinated teamwork of the Center’s doctors. The problem will be solved as quickly and efficiently as possible, including taking into account the psychological state, and not only through drug therapy aimed at getting rid of unpleasant symptoms.

You can contact us by writing to [email protected] or by calling +370 5 247 63 69 or +370 698 00 000.

How to deal with chronic stress at work

If employees are under intense stress for a long time, a sales plan or urgent project will sooner or later be threatened. Tired of overwork and nervous conditions, middle managers take sick leaves at every opportunity, the best specialists begin to leave the company.Long-term work in the regime of a chronic rush-job with concomitant stress is dangerous, in particular, because suppressed emotions lead to psychosomatic diseases – hypertension, gastric ulcer, diabetes mellitus and other chronic ailments.

I surveyed office workers who came to me for therapy. It turned out that the most common cause of stress for them is the administrative factor: unrealistic management requirements, lack of careful planning, frequent changes in strategy and priorities, as well as disrespect by top managers of the human dignity of subordinates (the so-called bossing).We are talking about aggressive persecution, harassment, prejudice against the employee on the part of the manager. The boss tries to intimidate the employee or harass him with constant monitoring. Such a negative attitude is associated either with the fact that the leader wants to get rid of an objectionable subordinate, or with a low corporate culture in the organization.

Such behavior of a leader is a reflection of his own problems, as a rule, inherent in childhood. He takes on the role of a “parent” who seeks to control everything, but in fact covers up his incompetence as a manager and takes out negative emotions on employees – “children”.Stress spreads in a team along a chain. Employees unconsciously begin to take on the role of a child: take out stress on each other, sabotage work, or, conversely, show ostentatious zeal without real results. And such a painful authoritarian management style is very common in Russian enterprises. The stress caused by the manager ricochets back to him in the form of reduced productivity.

The most important thing is that the top officials of the company must understand the problem.

The enterprise suffers serious losses from constant rush jobs and incorrect planning, and management must make a difficult decision to end the harmful assault. It is clear that you will not be able to rebuild in one day and you need to minimize the stress level gradually.

Understand the psychophysical essence of the phenomenon.

Stress is a systemic reaction of the body to external circumstances, which occurs simultaneously both at the level of the psyche and in the body. The body obeys two basic instincts – to fight or to run away.When a person has already reacted to stress (for example, he wanted to flee), it is useless to continue to deal with stress only on a psychological level, because the reaction continues automatically at the level of the body. However, you can get rid of stress through the body, if you use the body’s reactions. For example, special physical exercises that use reflex muscle movements, combined with breathing exercises and work with negative images, will help neutralize negative emotions.

Conduct trainings for managers.

The goal is to clearly explain what processes take place in the body and brain at the moment of emotional tension and why they reduce work efficiency over time. Such a training for top and middle managers, for example, was recently held at a telecoms operator in Bashkiria. In addition to their main work, the company’s employees organize large-scale republican holidays for first-graders and graduates. This is a classic stress: in a short time, people from different departments need to quickly solve non-standard tasks, while no one cancels their usual daily duties.

Teach managers the practical techniques of neutralization.

They can be asked to recall a specific stressful situation (for example, submitting a report). At the same time, they should try to notice where exactly in the body discomfort appears at the moment of experiencing stress (for example, a lump in the throat, stabbing pains in the heart, headache, etc.). After that, they need to observe this feeling, even try to increase it, while simultaneously thinking about the problem situation. Employees should then release tension with vigorous movements, drawing, free writing, etc.n. Then they should relax and observe changes in health and mood. These exercises should be done regularly.

After managers have dealt with their own emotions, they will feel better, move more freely, talk. Moreover, they will pay attention to changes in the behavior of colleagues, subordinates, and even bosses. As a result, it will be easier to resolve conflicts.

Strengthen skills.

Following management trainings, it makes sense for the HR department to include stress management exercises in regular training sessions to reinforce skills.Care should be taken to extend this practice to the entire enterprise, to make it part of the corporate culture. The goal is to strengthen mutual understanding between superiors and subordinates.

The author is a practicing psychotherapist of the European Registry, Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Psychological Sciences

Psychologists told how to protect a child from the development of a hair tumor

Regular stress and nervousness in the family and school can provoke the development of Rapunzel syndrome in a child – and he will seize problems with his own hair.Then a huge lump forms in the body, which can occupy the entire stomach and provoke nausea, pain and loss of appetite. How to protect a child from a dangerous disease – Gazeta.Ru figured out.

In the Chelyabinsk Region, surgeons removed a lump of hair weighing almost a kilogram from the stomach of a 12-year-old girl – as it turned out, for several years she had been suffering from Rapunzel’s syndrome. This disease is characterized by the desire to chew and swallow the ends of the hair, which as a result form a hairball in the body, known in medicine as trichobezoar.

“The hairball occupied almost the entire volume of the child’s stomach, from the esophagus to the duodenum,” said Boris Mustakimov, a surgeon at a local hospital.

In March 2021, a similar operation was performed by doctors of the Bashlyaeva Children’s City Clinical Hospital in Moscow – then a kilogram ball of hair was removed from the stomach of an 11-year-old girl who complained of abdominal pain, nausea and decreased appetite. During the gastroscopy, the doctors discovered a massive mass and immediately proceeded to the operation.As a result, they removed a 25-centimeter trichobezoar.

According to the doctors, if the girl were admitted to the hospital later, she could develop numerous complications: stomach ulcers, bleeding, pancreatitis and jaundice.

In the same month, a five-year-old patient of the children’s city hospital in Nizhnekamsk was rescued, in whose stomach they found a lump of hair weighing 300 grams and reaching about a meter in length, according to the institution’s Instagram account. The examination showed that the trichobezoar occupied almost the entire stomach, duodenum and part of the child’s small intestine.

According to doctors, hair swallowed by a child eventually forms a hair tumor, consisting of a ball of intertwined and glued hair, soaked in food and mucus. At the same time, such a tumor cannot dissolve on its own – the solid substance of which the hair is composed resembles the horns and hooves of animals in its structure, trichologist-dermatologist Anna Korotkova explained to Gazeta.Ru.

“Hair is not digested in the stomach – it is made of carotene. In order to break down carotene, substances and bases are needed, heated to 100-110 ° C – the human body is not able to reproduce such conditions.Consequently, the hair gets stuck in the stomach or spreads in the gastrointestinal tract, ”the specialist clarified.

At the same time, trichologists still have not come to an unambiguous answer to the question of why hair is not excreted from the body undigested. “The most popular version is that they are too slippery and sticky to move further along the stomach, and too thin to get stuck in the folds of the intestine or other organs,” said Anna Korotkova.

In general, the problem of pulling and eating hair in children is associated with a serious impact on their psyche, she told Gazeta.Ru ”founder of the Eurasian Trichological Association Olga Kokhas.

“This is a bad habit that develops due to some serious circumstances in life, due to which the child begins to show signs of neurosis, and such that he manages to swallow hair – in a normal state we notice them and try to remove them. It is impossible to cope here without a psychologist, ”she stressed.

Psychologists themselves admit that in most cases, the cause of the development of “Rapunzel syndrome” is stress, which may be associated with age crises, problems in school or family.As a result, children muffle their nervousness, sometimes not even noticing how they chew on their hair, nails, pen or other object.

“This behavior of the child is influenced by the very unstable nervous environment around him. When a child is uncomfortable, when he experiences some kind of anxiety, anxiety, he begins to develop such obsessive habitual actions. In particular, pulling out hair and eating it, ”Elena Morozova, a children’s clinical psychologist, director of the Center for psychological and pedagogical support of the family“ Useful Children ”, told Gazeta.Ru.

Parents can help their child primarily with attention, psychologists are sure. First you need to categorically exclude harsh methods of influencing the prevailing habit and try to approach it with all possible sensitivity.

“The adult environment should feel the child, help him solve emotional problems. Do not scold, do not pull back. First of all, you need to observe the child and understand in what situation signs of neurosis begin to appear, which may disturb him.The smaller the child, the more responsibility lies with the adult, because the child himself cannot understand his problem and express it, ”Elena Morozova noted.

Pulling hair into a bun and switching the child’s attention to other activities will also help wean a child from an obsessive habit, psychologist Inna Popova advised.

“A ponytail or short haircut will still allow hair to be pulled out. Many parents ask: “maybe bald?” But you can imagine how stressful it will be.Moreover, a small person will most likely start chewing on something else. Instead, it is better to spend more time with your child, walking and playing. Try to switch attention from eating hair and teach them to take care of them without harming them, ”the psychologist concluded.