How does the gut-brain connection link anxiety to stomach issues? What are the effects of stress and anxiety on the digestive system? Discover the connection between stress, IBS, and other gut conditions.

The Intimate Relationship Between the Gut and the Brain

The gut-brain connection is a well-established fact, with the brain directly impacting the stomach and intestines, and vice versa. The very thought of eating can trigger the release of stomach acids, while a troubled gut can also send signals to the brain. This bidirectional communication means that a person’s emotional state, such as anxiety, stress, or depression, can directly influence their digestive function, and conversely, gastrointestinal distress can also impact one’s mental well-being.

The Role of Stress and Anxiety in Gut Health

Given the close relationship between the gut and the brain, it’s not surprising that stress and anxiety can contribute to various gastrointestinal issues. Feeling nauseous before a big presentation or experiencing abdominal pain during times of stress are common examples of this connection. However, it’s important to note that functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are not entirely “in one’s head.” Psychosocial factors, including stress, can influence the actual physiology of the gut, leading to symptoms like pain, altered movement, and contractions of the GI tract.

The Impact of Stress on Digestive Symptoms

Stress and anxiety can trigger a wide range of digestive symptoms, including indigestion, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. In some cases, stress can also affect appetite, causing individuals to eat more or less than usual. These short-term digestive issues can be particularly problematic, as they can further exacerbate the stress and anxiety experienced by the individual.

The Link Between Stress, IBS, and Other Gut Conditions

Stress and anxiety are well-known triggers for long-term gastrointestinal conditions, such as IBS and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and colitis. In individuals with these conditions, flare-ups of symptoms are often linked to periods of increased stress or anxiety. Understanding the role of psychosocial factors in the development and management of these conditions is crucial for effective treatment.

Strategies for Managing Stress-Related Digestive Symptoms

Given the strong connection between the gut and the brain, addressing the psychological component of digestive issues is essential. In addition to conventional medical treatment, research has shown that psychologically based approaches, such as therapy to reduce stress or treat anxiety and depression, can lead to greater improvement in digestive symptoms compared to medical treatment alone. By working with your healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of your digestive concerns, you can better manage your symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

Maintaining Gut Health in the Face of Stress

While stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on the digestive system, there are strategies that individuals can employ to help maintain gut health and manage stress-related symptoms. These may include practicing stress management techniques, such as meditation, exercise, and relaxation methods, as well as making dietary adjustments to support a healthy gut microbiome. By taking a proactive approach to managing stress and prioritizing overall well-being, individuals can better address the gut-brain connection and find relief from digestive discomforts.

The Importance of Seeking Professional Guidance

If you are experiencing persistent or worsening digestive symptoms, it is important to seek guidance from a healthcare professional. They can help identify the underlying causes of your symptoms, determine if stress and anxiety are contributing factors, and develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address your specific needs. By working closely with your healthcare provider, you can better understand the gut-brain connection and find effective strategies to manage your digestive health and overall well-being.

The gut-brain connection – Harvard Health

Pay attention to your gut-brain connection – it may contribute to your anxiety and digestion problems

The gut-brain connection is no joke; it can link anxiety to stomach problems and vice versa. Have you ever had a “gut-wrenching” experience? Do certain situations make you “feel nauseous”? Have you ever felt “butterflies” in your stomach? We use these expressions for a reason. The gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, elation — all of these feelings (and others) can trigger symptoms in the gut.

The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines. For example, the very thought of eating can release the stomach’s juices before food gets there. This connection goes both ways. A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut. Therefore, a person’s stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression. That’s because the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected.

This is especially true in cases where a person experiences gastrointestinal upset with no obvious physical cause. For such functional GI disorders, it is difficult to try to heal a distressed gut without considering the role of stress and emotion.

Gut health and anxiety

Given how closely the gut and brain interact, it becomes easier to understand why you might feel nauseated before giving a presentation, or feel intestinal pain during times of stress. That doesn’t mean, however, that functional gastrointestinal conditions are imagined or “all in your head.” Psychology combines with physical factors to cause pain and other bowel symptoms. Psychosocial factors influence the actual physiology of the gut, as well as symptoms. In other words, stress (or depression or other psychological factors) can affect movement and contractions of the GI tract.

In addition, many people with functional GI disorders perceive pain more acutely than other people do because their brains are more responsive to pain signals from the GI tract. Stress can make the existing pain seem even worse.

Based on these observations, you might expect that at least some patients with functional GI conditions might improve with therapy to reduce stress or treat anxiety or depression. Multiple studies have found that psychologically based approaches lead to greater improvement in digestive symptoms compared with only conventional medical treatment.

Gut-brain connection, anxiety and digestion  

Are your stomach or intestinal problems — such as heartburn, abdominal cramps, or loose stools — related to stress? Watch for these and other common symptoms of stress and discuss them with your doctor. Together you can come up with strategies to help you deal with the stressors in your life, and also ease your digestive discomforts.

Image: © ChrisChrisW | GettyImages

Stress & Stomach Problems | LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor UK

Reviewed by our clinical team

We all experience stress from time to time. When we feel overwhelmed by work commitments, money worries, or a big event looming or a deadline, our bodies can react in ways that cause unpleasant symptoms.

Most of the time, these symptoms are psychological – we might feel irritable, lack focus, and feel very worried. However, stress symptoms can be physical as well.

In this article we’ll look at the potential links between stress and anxiety and problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), other gut conditions and ways you might be able to relieve your symptoms.  

Effects of stress and anxiety on your stomach 

Stress and anxiety can trigger lots of different symptoms, in your mind and also on the rest of your body. Stress, for example can cause headaches, chest pain and problems concentrating. And anxiety can cause things like feeling nervous, sweating and problems sleeping.  

But both stress and anxiety can also impact your gut. Experiencing a stressful situation can cause short-term problems in the digestive system, including: 

• Indigestion 
• Heartburn 
• Constipation 
• Diarrhoea
• Bloating

In addition, you might find that stress affects your appetite, causing you to eat more or less than you would normally.

Can anxiety or stress cause IBS?

Stress and anxiety are also known to be a trigger for long-term conditions affecting the digestive system, IBS is often caused by stress, and flare ups of inflammatory bowel disease, like Crohn’s or Colitis, can be triggered by stress.

If you have IBS, you’ll probably know that feeling stressed and anxious can cause a flare-up of symptoms. Before a big event or on a day where you have to meet lots of work deadlines, you might experience cramps, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation.

Causes of IBS

The causes of IBS are not 100% clear, it’s thought to be caused by a number of different things – for example an episode of severe gastro-enteritis, stress or emotional trauma in your early life, your nervous system makeup, changes to gut microbes and in some cases an intolerance to certain foods – but this is thought to be rare. 

IBS flare ups and stress

We know that stress can trigger a flare up of IBS. And when you’re feeling stressed your body might not be able to cope well with certain foods that you can usually eat without any problems. Some of these ‘trigger foods’ are wheat, dairy, or ‘gassy’ foods such as beans, cabbage, broccoli or fizzy drinks. 

By keeping a good and detailed food, symptom and stress diary you should be able to identify foods to stay clear of when stressed.

If you’re expecting a flare-up of IBS due to stress, might be a good idea to stock up on medicines to treat your symptoms in the short term. Loperamide is a good treatment for diarrhoea, while laxatives can help with constipation. For bloating and cramps, you could try Buscopan. 

In the long term, The IBS Network has some good resources for coping with stress.

Why does stress or anxiety impact your gut?

There’s increasing evidence showing that there’s an important relationship between the brain and the digestive system. This is sometimes called the “brain-gut” or “gut-brain” axis.

Communication between the two can affect activity in the brain and in the digestive system. This is why stress can cause symptoms in the stomach and the gut, and why the reverse is also true – having digestive problems can make us feel very stressed and anxious.

When we’re in a stressful situation, our bodies tend to have a “fight or flight” reaction. Hormones are released which prepare us to act, by keeping us alert and energised.

The theory is that when these stress hormones are released, digestion slows down or even stops altogether so that the body can divert its energy to managing the perceived threat. This slowing down of the digestive process causes the symptoms of bloating, constipation, and pain.

We also know that in some people, stress can cause the opposite problem, speeding up the digestive process and causing diarrhoea.

Tips to manage stress/anxiety related stomach problems

There’s no easy way to prevent stress or anxiety from causing problems in your stomach and gut, but there are some things you could try. And looking at both your physical and mental symptoms might help. 

Short-term solutions

Depending on your symptoms you could try laxatives (to help with constipation), antidiarrhoea tablets such as Imodium or Buscopan if cramping/pain is an issue. If you are having frequent or severe symptoms you should have a chat with your doctor.

Also if you have something important coming up (a wedding, exam or interview for example), it might be worth avoiding any foods that you know can trigger your symptoms. This just helps reduce the chances of your IBS flaring up for another reason.  

Stress-busters

If you speak to your GP about IBS, they might be able to offer yousome advice on stress-busting techniques, and may be able to refer you for counselling or therapy. Treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be good for breaking anxious thought patterns and recognising stress triggers.

Seeking a doctor’s advice

Your GP (or you could speak to one of our VideoGPs) will be able to assess your symptoms and work out if your digestive problems might be caused by something else. 

Symptoms like stomach pains, changes to your bowel movements (e.g. constipation or diarrhoea), indigestion, and heartburn should be checked by a GP if they haven’t improved within a couple of weeks. You should also go to the doctor if you experience any bleeding from your bottom, difficulty swallowing, or unexpected weight loss.

How to improve your gut health

There are lots of different ways you can try to improve your gut health, and it’s not all about the food you eat. 
If you’re feeling stressed or anxious and it’s impacting your digestive system, this could be damaging your gut microbiome – that’s the network on trillions of microbes that live in your gut. So any steps you can take to look after that microbiome will help limit the damage caused by stress, and also might help your stress in the first place!

Diet

We all know that eating healthily is good for us. But there are some simple steps you could take with your diet to help keep your gut as healthy as possible. 

1. Eat up to 30 types of plant each week – this includes fruit, veg, nuts, seeds, pulses, herbs and spices. 
2. Keep your plate colourful – colourful plants tend to be richer in fibre and contain things called polyphenols which are great for the gut microbes.
3. Try fermented foods – things like live yoghurt, kefir, kimchi or kombucha contain microbes called probiotics. These will then live in your gut and can help it stay diverse and healthy. Some fermented foods can trigger IBS, so you should add fermented foods slowly and in small quantities- over time though they might help improve your IBS symptoms.
4. Reduce snacking – giving your gut a break between meals means it can rest and recuperate. 
5. Limit lots of ‘ultra-processed’ foods – things like sausages, ready meals, shop-bought bread and crisps, won’t be rich in fibre and won’t nourish your gut, so they’re best avoided if possible. There is growing evidence that ultra processed foods are linked to obesity, diabetes and non alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Quit smoking

Smoking we know can increase the risk of cancer, including cancers associated with the digestive system. But it can also damage the quality of your gut microbiome. So the best idea is to quit smoking, the sooner you stop, the sooner you’ll start seeing the various health effects. 

Alcohol

Excessive drinking can change your gut’s makeup and can cause inflammation throughout your digestive system. So reducing your alcohol intake or cutting alcohol altogether can help you look after your gut. 

If you’d like to speak to a GP about stress, anxiety or any digestive issues, you can book an appointment with one of our VideoGPs. Appointments are usually available 8am-8pm, seven days a week. 
Visit our lifestyle advice hub for more guidance.

References

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/signs-of-stress/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/five-lifestyle-tips-for-a-healthy-tummy/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/symptoms/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/diet-lifestyle-and-medicines/
https://www. health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/stress-and-the-sensitive-gut
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/treatment-for-stress/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/common-digestive-problems-and-how-to-treat-them/
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/stress/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs#managing-ibs
https://joinzoe.com/learn/how-to-improve-gut-health 
https://joinzoe.com/post/tim-spector-gut-tips
https://joinzoe.com/learn/what-is-ultra-processed-food#common-UPFs

how they are connected and how to avoid unpleasant consequences

Content

• 1 Stress and diarrhea: How psychological factors affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract
  • 1. 1 How stress affects the digestive system
    • 1.1.1 Experiencing stress affects the duration of diarrhea
    • 1.1.2 Stressors can damage the microbiome
    • 1.1.3 Digestive disorders cause diarrhea
  • 1.2 Stress and the digestive system
    • 1.2.1 The effect of stress on the stomach
    • 1.2.2 The effect of stress on the intestines
    • 1.2.3 How to deal with stress
  • 1.3 The effect of stress on the intestinal microflora
  • 1.4 Gut sensitivity
  • 1.5 Cortisol and diarrhea
  • 1.6 Role of serotonin in diarrhea associated with stress
  • 1.7 Effects of stress on immunity and gut health
    • 1.7.1 Effects of stress on immunity
    • 1.7.2 Effects of stress on gut health
  • 1.8 Stress and indigestion
  • 1.9 How to prevent stress diarrhea
  • 1.10 Medical treatment of stress diarrhea
    • 1.10.1 Antibiotics
    • 1 .10.2 Probiotics
    • 1. 10.3 Antiprotozoals
    • 1.10.4 Rehydration
    • 1.10.5 Medicines to stop diarrhea
  • 1.11 Alternative treatments for stress diarrhea
  • 1.12 When should I see a doctor for diarrhea and stress?
  • 1.13 Related videos:
  • 1.14 Q&A:
    • • 1.14.0.1 Can stress cause diarrhea?
      • 1.14.0.2 How does stress affect bowel function?
      • 1.14.0.3 How long can stress-related diarrhea last?
      • 1.14.0.4 How can stress-related diarrhea be prevented?
      • 1.14.0.5 Can medication help with stress-related diarrhea?
      • 1.14.0.6 What is the relationship between IBS and stress-related diarrhea?

Find out how stress can lead to diarrhea and how to manage it. Read the article and get useful tips from experts.

It is known that stress has a negative impact on many body systems, including the digestive system. One of the most common stress-related problems is diarrhea. Despite the fact that many people have experience of this condition, the mechanisms associated with the occurrence of diarrhea during stress are not always understood.

The bottom line is that stress causes changes in the functioning of the nervous system that affect the functioning of the digestive tract. In response to stress, the nervous system releases hormones that constrict blood vessels in the intestines and increase muscle activity. This leads to accelerated motility of the intestinal contents and, as a result, to diarrhea.

Stress can also lead to changes in the intestinal microflora, which can impair the functioning of the digestive system and lead to diarrhea. In turn, prolonged diarrhea can lead to additional stress, which perpetuates the vicious cycle.

It is important to note that not all people react to stress in the same way. Some may experience dramatic changes in their digestive system with minimal stressors, while others may continue to digest normally even under extreme stress.

Thus, the relationship between stress and diarrhea is quite complex and its mechanisms are still being studied by scientists. But it emphasizes the importance of establishing and maintaining a normal mental state for the health of our body as a whole.

How stress affects the digestive system

Experiencing stress affects the duration of diarrhea

High levels of stress can lead to changes in the digestive system, causing diarrhea in many people. When stressed, food moves faster through the intestines, so the food masses do not have time to linger long enough to be absorbed. This leads to accelerated peristalsis, which can cause diarrhea.

Stressors can damage the microbiome

The microbiome of the digestive system plays an important role in our lives. It helps digest food and supports the immune system. But stress can prevent it from performing its functions. Some stressors can reduce the amount of “good” bacteria in the microbiome, leading to digestive upset and can cause diarrhea.

Disturbance of the rhythm of digestion causes diarrhea

Some people tend to be stressed while eating, while others lose their appetite because of it. No matter what behavior we exhibit in stressful situations, it can cause our digestive rhythm to be disturbed. Too much or too little food can lead to diarrhea.

• In short: stress can cause diarrhea because it speeds up digestion, affects the microbiome of the digestive system, and disrupts the rhythm of digestion.

Stress and the digestive system

The effect of stress on the stomach

Surprisingly, our brain has a huge impact on our stomach. When a person is stressed, the brain signals the need to relax the muscles. This can weaken the sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus and put pressure on the stomach, causing discomfort and heartburn.

In addition, stress can increase the production of gastric juices, which leads to an overload of the stomach and causes a feeling of heaviness after eating.

Effect of stress on the intestines

Long-term stress can impair bowel function, causing constipation or, conversely, diarrhea. If a person experiences prolonged stress, the brain sends signals to the intestines, which causes stronger contractions in the intestines, which speeds up the passage of food. This can lead to poor digestion and diarrhea.

How to deal with stress

1. Live a healthy lifestyle: eat right, exercise actively, get enough sleep
2. Learn to relax: do meditation, yoga, breathing exercises
3. Avoid situations that cause you stress
4. Consult a specialist m for help if you can’t handle stress on your own

It’s important to understand that stress can have a serious effect on our digestive system. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to deal with stress and monitor the health of the intestines and stomach.

Effects of stress on the gut microflora

Stress can have a negative impact on the gut microflora, which plays an important role in digestion and the body’s immune system. Studies show that under the influence of stress, the composition of the microflora and its functions change, which can lead to various diseases.

In addition, stress can negatively affect the immune system, which is also important for maintaining a healthy intestinal microflora. Under the influence of stress, the activity of immune cells decreases, which can lead to an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria.

In order to maintain a healthy gut microflora, it is important to reduce stress levels and provide the body with essential bioactive substances that can help improve the composition of the microflora. It is also important to follow a healthy lifestyle, eat right and consume foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics.

Increased sensitivity to the intestines

The intestines are one of the organs most sensitive to stress factors. The nerves that control bowel function are linked to the central nervous system, allowing them to respond to stressors and alter organ function. As a result, digestive problems and diarrhea can occur.

In addition, stress can lead to deterioration of the gut microbiome, which can also contribute to diarrhea. An imbalance between good and bad bacteria can lead to dysbiosis and other intestinal health problems.

To avoid hypersensitivity to the intestines and associated diarrhea, you need to monitor your emotional state and learn how to relax. Regular yoga, meditation, or other relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and improve bowel function.

• Conclusion: Increased sensitivity to the intestines can be caused by stress and lead to diarrhea.
• Recommendations: Avoid stressful situations, learn to relax and exercise to keep your gut healthy.

Cortisol and diarrhea

Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stressful situations. It can increase blood sugar levels, speed up the heartbeat, and lower the body’s immune function. In addition, cortisol can increase the production of gastric juices and speed up the movement of food masses through the intestines. This may lead to diarrhea.

Prolonged stress can lead to chronic cortisol production, which can damage the gastrointestinal tract and cause unpleasant symptoms. Studies have also shown that emotional stress can worsen the symptoms of various gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastric and duodenal ulcers.

There are several ways can help you manage stress and reduce your risk of diarrhea. For example, yoga and meditation can lower blood cortisol levels and improve GI health. It is also important to watch your diet, avoid too fatty and spicy foods and drink enough water. In addition, good sleep, exercise, and other relaxation techniques can help manage stress and prevent diarrhea.

Role of serotonin in stress diarrhea

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the regulation of digestion and mood. Serotonin performs a signaling function between nerve cells and the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, this neurotransmitter affects peristalsis, controls bowel movements, and promotes mucus secretion near the walls of the gastrointestinal tract.

Because of its important regulatory effects on the gastrointestinal tract, serotonin is very important in maintaining gut health. As a result, low levels of serotonin can lead to the development of various gastrointestinal diseases, including diarrhea.

Effects of stress on immunity and gut health

Effects of stress on immunity

Stress can have a negative effect on our body’s immune system. Stress can lead to a deterioration in the protective functions of our body, an increase in the level of inflammatory mediators and a decrease in the level of antioxidants. As a result, we become more susceptible to various infections, diseases and other health problems.

Impact of stress on gut health

Stress can also negatively affect gut health. Stressful conditions can lead to hypersensitivity of the intestine, impaired motor activity of the intestine, as well as hypersecretion of gastric juice.

This can cause problems such as diarrhea. With the release of stool in a short-term mode, food masses pass through the large intestine, without proper digestion. And very often their color and texture are different from normal. If the diarrhea lasts more than one week, the feces are not liquid, but watery, pain is added when the soap penetrates deeply into the anus, it is worth consulting a doctor and getting an examination, as it is possible that this is a combination of stress and several diseases.

In order to reduce the impact of mood on the gastrointestinal tract, it is worth taking care of your psychological stability, exercising regularly and resting.

Stress and indigestion

Stress is a condition that the body experiences when exposed to negative factors. Including, it can cause digestive disorders. Studies have shown that stress slows down the stomach and intestines, which can cause constipation and diarrhea.

An unhealthy diet can be an additional factor in the development of digestive disorders, causing an imbalance in the intestinal microflora and a decrease in its protective properties. Stress only exacerbates this effect as it lowers the immune system and increases the levels of harmful micro-organisms, leading to an imbalance in the microbiota.

• Conclusion: Stress is one of the main factors that cause digestive disorders, so it is important to control your emotional balance and monitor proper nutrition. If the disorders of the digestive system do not disappear, it is necessary to seek the advice of a doctor.

How to prevent diarrhea during stress

Stress is one of the main causes of diarrhea. To avoid excessive nervousness, you need to monitor your psycho-emotional state. The following methods can be used for this:

• Relaxation exercises . Incorporate exercises into your daily routine that help you relax, such as meditation, yoga, or just deep breathing.
• Sleep . Get enough rest: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Lack of sleep can lead to negative outcomes, including diarrhea.
• Diet . Watch your diet. Avoid foods that are too fatty or spicy, which can stress the digestive system and make diarrhea worse.

If you have an established diagnosis of stress diarrhea, talk to your doctor about possible treatments and ways to reduce stress in your life.

Medical management of stress diarrhea

Antibiotics

If the diarrhea is due to an infection or bacterial infection in the intestines, antibiotics may be prescribed. However, the prescription of antibiotics is not recommended without proper medical supervision, as they can disrupt the normal intestinal microbiota and provoke additional diarrhea.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when ingested, contribute to the normalization of microflora in the intestines. Taking them can help with stress-induced diarrhea. Probiotics can be taken in capsule form or in food supplements.

Antiprotozoal drugs

If diarrhea is due to intestinal parasites, antiprotozoal drugs may be prescribed. Their choice and dosage should be determined by the attending physician.

Rehydration

An important aspect of the treatment of diarrhea is rehydration of the body. It is recommended to use large amounts of water, fruit juices, saline solutions, special rehydration solutions, for example, Regidron.

Drugs to stop diarrhea

Ingredients such as loperamide or diphenoxylate may be included in medicines to stop diarrhea. However, before using these drugs, you should consult a doctor.

Alternative treatments for stress diarrhea

In addition to medication, there are other ways to deal with stress diarrhea:

• Proper nutrition. Avoid foods that may exacerbate symptoms: spicy, fatty, fast food, coffee, and alcohol.
• Drinking mode. To avoid dehydration, stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids, especially after each bowel movement.
• Herbal teas. As a rule, very strong green tea reduces stress and restores the general condition of the body.
• Physical exercise. Although exercise may cause discomfort, it can help relieve tension and improve mood, as well as normalize bowel function.
• Nutrition by bacteria. The young and healthy micro-organisms found in yogurt and other bifidobacteria can increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, thus reducing the risk of diarrhea.

All of these methods help to improve the condition of the body and slow down the process of fluid excretion, so they are recommended for the prevention of stress-induced diarrhea.

When should I see a doctor for diarrhea and stress?

Diarrhea can be caused by various factors, including stress. However, if you have diarrhea that lasts for more than two days, the stools are bloody, or you have a high temperature, you need urgent medical attention.

If you experience acute diarrhea for a short time and have no other symptoms, the infection is most likely caused by a virus or bacteria. However, if the diarrhea lasts for more than a few days, then it may be a sign of a serious health problem, such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

If you notice diarrhea after a lot of stress, this may indicate a violation of the intestines and its functions. In this case, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or other drugs to treat your nervous system and improve bowel function.

In any case, if you notice unusual symptoms associated with diarrhea, you should immediately contact a doctor for qualified medical care.

Related videos:

Q&A:

Can stress cause diarrhea?

Yes, stress can cause diarrhea in both healthy people and people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

How does stress affect bowel function?

Stress affects the functioning of the intestines through its influence on the autonomic nervous system, changes in hormone levels and some other psychological mechanisms.

How long can stress-related diarrhea last?

The duration of stress-related diarrhea can vary from a few days to a few weeks. It usually goes away after the source of stress is removed.

How can stress-related diarrhea be prevented?

Meditation, yoga and other relaxation techniques can be used to prevent stress-related diarrhea, as well as improving your diet, avoiding fatty and spicy foods, and increasing your water intake.

Can medication help with stress-related diarrhea?

Medications such as probiotics, antibiotics, and antidiarrheals can be used to treat stress-related diarrhea. However, it is best to see a doctor to determine the cause of the diarrhea and get treatment advice.

What is the relationship between IBS and stress-related diarrhea?

In people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea may be related to stress. However, IBS can be caused not only by stress, but also by other factors such as dietary changes, infections, and hormonal changes.

How Stress Affects Digestion and Why We Sit Wrong on the Toilet: Society Articles ➕1, 05/27/2022

At the initiative of the World Gastroenterological Organization, May 29 is celebrated annually as World Digestive Health Day. Its goal is to draw attention to diseases caused by malnutrition, as well as to find effective ways to deal with them. Plus‑one.ru figured out what diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and digestive disorders suffer humanity.

Photo: iStock

Nearly 42 million people were diagnosed with an eating disorder in 2019, according to a study by the American Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. One of them is overeating, when in a short period of time a person consumes significantly more food than usual and loses control of his stomach. Another 13.6 million suffered from anorexia (complete lack of appetite with the body’s objective need for nutrition) and bulimia (attacks of uncontrolled consumption of large amounts of food, followed by emptying the stomach by inducing vomiting).

Eating disorders are based on psychological problems and dissatisfaction with one’s own body, which many feel acutely during adolescence. So, according to scientists, in 2015, 42% of 14-year-old British girls and boys tried to lose weight. It is noteworthy that in 2005 this figure was 30%. Among adults, 44% of respondents tried to lose weight through diet, 60% – through sports. For comparison: in 1986, 38% of respondents were on a diet and only 7% relied on physical activity. Researchers warn that dieting can lead to eating disorders. “Any restriction or denial of any nutrient, be it carbohydrates, proteins or fats, leads to a deficiency of these substances. This disrupts the work of both the intestines and the body as a whole, ”explained Plus-one.ru endocrinologist, candidate of medical sciences Tinatin Bakhtadze. According to various estimates, about 3.3 million people die every year from various eating disorder diagnoses worldwide.

Photo: iStock

The World Health Organization estimated that in 2016, about 1.9 billion people over the age of 18 were overweight. Of these, 650 million were obese. In 2020, the number of children with this diagnosis at the age of five was 39 million, and adolescents and children from 5 to 19years – 340 million (data for 2016).

The number of overweight people is growing rapidly. If in 1975 the share of such children and adolescents aged 5-19 was only 4%, then in 2016 it was already 18%.

The main cause of the obesity epidemic is an energy imbalance between the amount of calories consumed and expended, which is caused by a sedentary lifestyle, the development of transport and urbanization, an increase in the content of fat and sugar in food.

Weight problems provoke the development of concomitant diseases – cardiovascular, diabetes, various types of cancer. In 2019obesity ranked fifth among the leading causes of death (slightly over 5 million deaths). The first place belongs to high blood pressure (it took 10.85 million lives), the second place belongs to smoking (7.69 million deaths). In 1990, these figures were significantly lower: 6.79 million and 5.87 million, respectively. 2.2 million people died from obesity.

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A sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, and improper use of the toilet lead to hernias and constipation in the intestines. Israeli doctor Dov Zikirov conducted an experiment among 28 people who went to the toilet in an ordinary toilet and in a small one, on which they had to sit almost on their haunches, as during a bowel movement in nature. The time of defecation was recorded using a stopwatch, and sensations were recorded using a special questionnaire. “The act of defecation of the “in nature” type took an average of 50 seconds. The subjects described their condition as “feeling completely empty”. When they sat in their usual position, the process lasted an average of 130 seconds, and subjective sensations were worse, ”German physician Julia Enders describes this experiment in the book Charming Intestines.

The reason is that there is a muscle that loops around the rectum like a lasso. When a person stands or sits on a chair, it prevents the contents from falling out. When squatting, this muscle changes position, the bend is eliminated, and the intestinal tract takes a straight trajectory that promotes emptying. According to Enders, this was shown by studies by Japanese scientists who gave a group of subjects along with food a luminous substance, and then observed them using X-ray equipment.

To solve the problem, doctors recommend placing a low footrest during bowel movements.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (USA), every 20th American under the age of 50 suffers from hemorrhoids, and after 50 years this figure increases significantly – up to 50% of the adult population. In 2020, a group of doctors from France and India conducted a study among 16 thousand people from Brazil, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Romania and Spain. 11% of respondents suffered from hemorrhoids, more women than men (56% versus 52%). The lowest percentage of patients was recorded in Brazil and France (6 and 7%), the highest – in Russia and Italy (16%). Among the comorbidities in patients, varicose veins, depression, allergies, and high blood pressure were found.

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The most common of these is gastritis, an inflammatory disease of the stomach lining. According to various estimates, 50% of people in developing countries and 34.7% in developed countries suffer from it chronically. At the same time, the number of patients among women is much higher than among men. According to a study by scientists, 67.8% of Brazilian women participating in the study and 32.2% of Brazilians suffered from chronic gastritis. Doctors believe that in many cases gastritis is provoked by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori – in 2015, about 4.4 billion people were infected with it. It is also considered the cause of ulcers and stomach cancer.

According to a study by Chinese scientists, the percentage of Helicobacter pylori infected varies greatly from country to country – the lowest percentage was recorded in Switzerland (18.9%), against 87.7% in Nigeria. Patients are treated with a course of antibiotics, and it is recommended that all close relatives of the patient take it.

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“Constant stress and irritating impulses activate the nervous system and suppress digestion,” explains doctor Julia Enders. It works like this: for any negative emotion, such as anger, the brain must react with an action so that the stimulus is eliminated. This requires additional energy. These emergency signals through sympathetic nerve fibers enter the intestines – in order to save energy, the digestive process is inhibited, the volume of mucus produced and blood flow decrease. “Insufficient circulation and its thinning” [intestine] mucous weaken the intestines. Immune cells rushing there emit a large amount of signal substances, to which the intestine becomes more and more sensitive. Thus, the ability of its protective barrier is reduced, ”explains Enders. All this contributes to the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria that interfere with the absorption of vitamins and nutrients, which negatively affects the state of the body, provoking the occurrence of other diseases. So a person gets into a chronic stress loop.

This disease is called “irritable bowel syndrome”. Its symptoms are gas formation, headaches and chronic abdominal pain, nausea, problems with defecation.