Stress effects on the stomach. The Impact of Stress on Digestive Health: Understanding the Brain-Gut Connection

21.07.202316.06.2023 by alexxlab

How does stress affect the digestive system. What is the connection between the brain and gut. Can psychological therapies help with gastrointestinal disorders. What role does the enteric nervous system play in digestion.

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The Prevalence and Nature of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are remarkably common, affecting between 35% and 70% of people at some point in their lives. These disorders are characterized by persistent digestive symptoms without any apparent physical cause such as infection or cancer. Women tend to be more susceptible to these conditions than men.

The development of functional gastrointestinal disorders is multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. Among these, stress has emerged as a particularly significant contributor. The relationship between stress and gastrointestinal distress is bidirectional, meaning that stress can both trigger and exacerbate digestive symptoms, while digestive issues can, in turn, increase stress levels.

Key Characteristics of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders:

No apparent physical cause
Symptoms include pain, bloating, and discomfort
More prevalent in women
Influenced by multiple factors, including stress

The Autonomic Nervous System and Digestion

To understand the impact of stress on digestion, it’s crucial to explore the role of the autonomic nervous system. This complex network of nerves extends from the brain to all major organs and regulates vital functions such as breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, and body temperature.

The autonomic nervous system consists of three main components:

The sympathetic nervous system: Responsible for the “fight or flight” response
The parasympathetic nervous system: Promotes relaxation and calm after danger has passed
The enteric nervous system: Regulates digestion

How do these components interact to affect digestion? The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work in tandem with the enteric nervous system to regulate digestive processes. When stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, it can significantly alter digestive function, leading to various gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Enteric Nervous System: The “Second Brain”

The enteric nervous system, often referred to as the “second brain,” plays a crucial role in digestion. This intricate network of neurons lining the digestive tract uses the same types of neurons and neurotransmitters found in the central nervous system.

When food enters the gut, the enteric nervous system springs into action. Neurons lining the digestive tract signal muscle cells to initiate a series of intestinal contractions, propelling food along the digestive tract and breaking it down into nutrients and waste. Simultaneously, the enteric nervous system communicates with the central nervous system using neurotransmitters like serotonin.

Functions of the Enteric Nervous System:

Regulates digestive processes
Initiates intestinal contractions
Communicates with the central nervous system
Uses neurotransmitters like serotonin

The Brain-Gut Axis: Linking Stress and Digestive Health

The concept of the “brain-gut axis” helps explain the intricate relationship between psychological stress and digestive problems. This bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system allows for constant information exchange between the brain and the gut.

How does stress affect digestion through the brain-gut axis? When a person experiences stress severe enough to trigger the fight-or-flight response, digestion can slow down or even stop completely. This physiological response allows the body to divert all its energy to face the perceived threat. Even less severe forms of stress, such as public speaking, can disrupt the digestive process, potentially leading to abdominal pain and other symptoms associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Effects of Stress on Digestion:

Slowing or stopping of digestive processes
Abdominal pain
Disruption of normal gut function
Exacerbation of existing gastrointestinal symptoms

Psychotherapy Options for Gastrointestinal Distress

Given the strong connection between psychological stress and gastrointestinal symptoms, various forms of psychotherapy have been explored as potential treatments for functional gastrointestinal disorders. While research in this area has some limitations, evidence suggests that several psychotherapeutic approaches may provide relief for many individuals suffering from severe functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a well-established form of psychotherapy that helps patients change counterproductive thoughts and behaviors while learning coping skills to better manage stress and anxiety. In the context of gastrointestinal disorders, CBT may be particularly useful in helping patients cope with persistent digestive distress, although its efficacy in directly reducing pain may be limited.

Relaxation Therapy

Relaxation therapy encompasses a variety of techniques designed to help individuals relax and reduce their reactivity to stress. These techniques may include:

Progressive muscle relaxation
Visualization exercises
Use of calming music

Research suggests that relaxation therapy is most effective for gastrointestinal disorders when combined with CBT, providing a comprehensive approach to stress management and symptom relief.

Hypnosis

Gut-directed hypnotherapy is a specialized form of hypnosis that combines deep relaxation with positive suggestions focused on gastrointestinal function. This approach may be particularly beneficial for individuals whose symptoms persist even in the absence of obvious stress triggers.

The Long-Term Impact of Stress on Digestive Health

While acute stress can cause temporary digestive discomfort, chronic stress can have more profound and lasting effects on gastrointestinal health. Prolonged exposure to stress can lead to persistent changes in gut motility, increased intestinal permeability (often referred to as “leaky gut”), and alterations in the gut microbiome.

How does chronic stress affect the gut microbiome? Chronic stress can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in the gut, potentially leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and a reduction in beneficial bacteria. This dysbiosis can contribute to a range of digestive issues and may even impact overall health and immunity.

Long-Term Effects of Stress on Digestive Health:

Altered gut motility
Increased intestinal permeability
Disruption of gut microbiome balance
Chronic inflammation
Increased risk of gastrointestinal disorders

Strategies for Managing Stress and Improving Digestive Health

Given the significant impact of stress on digestive health, implementing effective stress management strategies can be crucial for individuals suffering from functional gastrointestinal disorders. These strategies can complement medical treatments and psychotherapies, providing a holistic approach to managing digestive symptoms.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness practices and meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, potentially alleviating digestive symptoms. Regular mindfulness practice has been shown to decrease the body’s stress response and promote relaxation, which can have positive effects on gut function.

Regular Exercise

Physical activity is a powerful stress-reducer and can also improve digestive health. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins, which can help manage pain and improve mood. Additionally, regular physical activity can help regulate bowel movements and reduce bloating.

Dietary Modifications

While stress can exacerbate digestive symptoms, certain dietary changes can help manage these symptoms and promote overall gut health. These may include:

Identifying and avoiding trigger foods
Increasing fiber intake
Staying hydrated
Incorporating probiotic-rich foods

Sleep Hygiene

Adequate sleep is crucial for managing stress and maintaining digestive health. Poor sleep can increase stress levels and exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms. Implementing good sleep hygiene practices, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine, can help improve both sleep quality and digestive function.

The Role of Social Support in Managing Stress and Digestive Health

Social support can play a significant role in managing stress and, by extension, improving digestive health. Strong social connections can provide emotional support, reduce feelings of isolation, and offer practical assistance during times of stress.

How does social support impact digestive health? Research suggests that individuals with strong social support networks may experience less severe gastrointestinal symptoms and better overall health outcomes. Social support can help buffer the effects of stress, promote positive coping strategies, and encourage healthier lifestyle choices.

Benefits of Social Support for Digestive Health:

Reduced stress levels
Improved coping mechanisms
Encouragement of healthy behaviors
Increased adherence to treatment plans
Enhanced overall well-being

In conclusion, the relationship between stress and digestive health is complex and multifaceted. Understanding the brain-gut connection and implementing strategies to manage stress can significantly improve outcomes for individuals suffering from functional gastrointestinal disorders. By combining medical treatments with psychotherapies, stress management techniques, and lifestyle modifications, many people can find relief from persistent digestive symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

Stress and The Sensitive Gut – Harvard Health Publishing

Psychotherapy may help ease persistent gastrointestinal distress.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders affect 35% to 70% of people at some point in life, women more often than men. These disorders have no apparent physical cause — such as infection or cancer — yet result in pain, bloating, and other discomfort.

Multiple factors — biological, psychological, and social — contribute to the development of a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Numerous studies have suggested that stress may be particularly important, however. The relationship between environmental or psychological stress and gastrointestinal distress is complex and bidirectional: stress can trigger and worsen gastrointestinal pain and other symptoms, and vice versa. This is why psychological therapies are often used in combination with other treatments — or even on their own — to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders.

The enteric nervous system as a second brain

Life-sustaining functions, such as breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, and body temperature, are regulated through the autonomic nervous system. This complex network of nerves extends from the brain to all the major organs of the body and has two major divisions. The sympathetic nervous system triggers the “fight or flight” response. The parasympathetic nervous system calms the body down after the danger has passed. Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems interact with another, less well-known component of the autonomic nervous system — the enteric nervous system, which helps regulate digestion.

The enteric nervous system is sometimes referred to as a “second brain” because it relies on the same types of neurons and neurotransmitters that are found in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). After sensing that food has entered the gut, neurons lining the digestive tract signal muscle cells to initiate a series of intestinal contractions that propel the food farther along, breaking it down into nutrients and waste. At the same time, the enteric nervous system uses neurotransmitters such as serotonin to communicate and interact with the central nervous system.

This “brain-gut axis” helps explain why researchers are interested in understanding how psychological or social stress might cause digestive problems. When a person becomes stressed enough to trigger the fight-or-flight response, for example, digestion slows or even stops so that the body can divert all its internal energy to facing a perceived threat. In response to less severe stress, such as public speaking, the digestive process may slow or be temporarily disrupted, causing abdominal pain and other symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Of course, it can work the other way as well: persistent gastrointestinal problems can heighten anxiety and stress.

Psychotherapy options for gastrointestinal distress

Reviews suggest that several types of psychotherapies may help ease persistent gastrointestinal distress — or at least help people learn to cope with such symptoms. Although this research has limitations — in particular, many studies have been criticized for using a waiting-list control, which does not allow investigators to account for the therapeutic effects of receiving medical attention — the evidence suggests that the following psychotherapies may provide some relief for many people with severe functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This standby of psychotherapy helps patients to change counterproductive thoughts and behavior and learn coping skills to better manage stress and anxiety. CBT may be most useful in helping patients to cope with persistent gastrointestinal distress, rather than reducing pain.

Relaxation therapy. This encompasses a number of techniques designed to help people relax and reduce reactivity to stress. Techniques include progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, and restful music. It is effective for gastrointestinal disorders when it is combined with CBT.

Hypnosis. Gut-directed hypnotherapy — which combines deep relaxation with positive suggestions focused on gastrointestinal function — may be helpful for people whose symptoms occur even without obvious stress.

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The science behind why stress can wreak havoc on your stomach

Digestive

by

Katerina Wells, MD

Jul
18,
2018

We all go through periods of stress or moments of heightened anxiety. Although stress often feels like it’s all in your head, what you might not realize is that stress can have a very tangible — and sometimes long-term — effect on your body.

Stress impacts all parts of the body, including the cardiovascular system, reproductive system, musculoskeletal system and the digestive system. The digestive system is particularly affected by the impact of stress. Changes to the gastrointestinal tract manifest into symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn and abdominal pain that can disrupt your everyday life.

How your body responds to stress

The science behind your body’s reaction to stress is complex. The majority of the changes that affect the digestive system actually begin in the brain, so let’s start there.

When your body experiences stress, your brain releases a hormone called corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). This activates the hormone system that responds to stress, which causes your body to produce more cortisol aka “stress hormone” than normal.

This also causes changes in your digestive tract that can be problematic. By slowing down contractions in the upper digestive tract and increasing contractions in the lower digestive tract, this hormone release can cause some uncomfortable symptoms. These could include nausea, reduced appetite and more trips to the bathroom than you’re used to.

You’ve probably heard of the fight-or-flight response your body experiences in times of stress or danger. What you likely don’t know is that the epinephrine your body releases as part of this response can actually slow down your digestive system, contributing to these uncomfortable symptoms.

Even low levels of stress, such as preparing for an exam or giving a public speech, can trigger these responses and contribute to the digestive discomfort you might experience.

Can stress have a long-term impact on your digestive health?

Long-term or “chronic” stress can have lasting negative effects on your body. Although the relationship is still unclear, stress can cause changes to the gut microbiome that alter how your body manages fats and immune defenses. These changes promote development of the metabolic syndrome, which is a collection of diseases including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver disease, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and a proinflammatory state.

Stress itself can also produce real digestive diseases, including gastrointestinal reflux/heartburn (GERD), peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). During population-wide stressful events such as the London air raids of WWII, prisoner of war camps during the Vietnam war and the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster of 1995, increases in peptic ulcer disease and perforations were reported.

Several studies link irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with higher rates of mental illness compared to the general population. A history of physical or sexual abuse is present in up to 44 percent of people with IBS, suggesting that a significant stressful event can have lasting effects on digestion.

Whether a large-scale traumatic event or minor stresses of your job, there’s no denying that your brain and your gut are linked — and it’s important to take care of both.

Diagnosing and treating stress-related digestive symptoms

The interplay between psychological underpinnings of stress and the medical disorders that can result make treatment of digestive distress complex. Often, psychological treatments are used in combination with medical treatments. These might include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis or anti-anxiety medications.

Before assuming your symptoms are stress-related, it’s important to consult with a physician to rule out serious or life-threatening diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, infection or colorectal cancer. Whether stress-related or not, a doctor can help you find relief.

Find a digestive specialist near you.

The effect of stress on the stomach and intestines and how to help yourself – says a gastroenterologist – news on UNN

Exclusive: Health

Can the stomach hurt from nerves? Understanding the issue

What can cause stress?

The causes of stress can be very different. It is possible that stress is not provoked by any one reason, but by several that simultaneously made you nervous and emotionally stressed. Along with work and family troubles, stress can also be caused by financial difficulties or age. Common causes of stress include:

Work: you may have a lot of urgent tasks. Your work began to require a lot of time and high, often unreasonably high results. Disagreements at work can also cause stress, usually they are associated with personal hostility or with a difference in views.

Family problems: Illnesses of loved ones can have a serious impact on your own health. Moreover, this influence can manifest itself both today and after some time. Disagreements among family members are also a common cause of stress. And the first place among the sources of anxiety in the family is occupied by children and their behavior at school and at home. But you need to have time to pay them a lot of attention and take them to sports clubs and various circles, to develop children.

Finances: None of us needs problems with loans and lack of funds. But unfortunately, sometimes unforeseen expenses arise – either a sudden repair of a house or car, or an operation or other trouble. Unemployment, of course, is also a big handicap to our morale – looking for a job and getting interviews can be quite a daunting task. Not to mention the fact that being unemployed, we worry about our financial situation and the situation of our family.

Life periods: The onset and change of certain life periods can cause both incredible happiness and great stress. Marriage and the beginning of family life put forward new requirements for us. However, as well as a promotion. Retirement and concerns about future health problems can also cause stress.

How to deal with stress

Dealing with stress takes time. If you think that stomach pain is caused by nerves, then you need to learn how to deal with stress. First of all, you need to identify the cause of your worries. If there is an opportunity to change something in your life to get rid of stress, think about the best way to do it. The following tips can help you with this:

Talk to someone about your problem

Speaking frankly with someone about your worries can be very helpful. After talking with a psychologist or with a good friend, you will feel that the burden that has fallen on your shoulders has become easier. Your loved ones can also give you good advice or just give you moral support.

Take matters into your own hands

Look for ways to make better use of your time. Set priorities, make plans and be objective about your ability to achieve them. Create a comfortable routine for yourself so that you know what comes next in work and family life. Do not overwork, but work more measuredly and efficiently.

Relax

Easy to say but hard to do. However, by making time for yourself, you give yourself the opportunity to reset. At this time, you can calmly think about all the difficulties that have fallen on you. All you need to do is rethink your day. For example, when the children are already asleep, try to just sit quietly and read a book or talk about your problems with your husband or wife.

Review your habits

Maybe a glass of wine after work helps you relax, but there are other options. Why not try hot milk or cocoa or experiment with herbal infusions?

Quit or at least try to quit smoking

You can always contact a specialist who will help you with this. This can be done remotely, over the Internet, or consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Eat healthy

Eat properly and regularly and stop snacking on the run. Sukhomyatka and fast foods are the main causes of digestive disorders and new stresses.

Tell yourself “It will work out” more often and move forward

Try to keep a positive attitude, reminding yourself of the pleasant moments of life, so that the pain in the stomach from the nerves will go away. Focus on what you can control and what can somehow change the current stressful situation. But don’t be too hard on yourself. Be objective. Dealing with stress takes time, so try to get started today. Say to yourself “it will get better soon” and soon you will see that the glass is half full.

If you feel that you cannot cope with stress, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor.

How Stress Management Helps Manage Heartburn and Indigestion

It may not always be easy to deal with the cause of stress, and if the stress results in signs of indigestion or heartburn, and the stomach hurts from nerves, along with the methods described above, with Gaviscon ^® Dual Action will help manage these symptoms. It relieves heartburn quickly ¹ and lasts for a long time ² and its effect can last up to two times longer than that of an anti-acid agent. ^3.4 Don’t just put up with heartburn, it will only add to your hassle.

Method of administration and doses

Suspension: Adults and children over 12 years: 10-20 ml after meals and at bedtime up to 4 times a day

Maximum daily dose – 80 ml

Tablets: Adults and children over 12 years: 2-4 tablets after meals and at bedtime up to 4 times a day

Maximum daily dose – 16 tablets

All information provided is not intended to diagnose or prescribe medication. Read more about Gaviscon ^® in the instructions for use. In case of complications or prolonged course of the disease, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

¹ Within 3.6 minutes – Bordin D.S., Masharova A.A., Firsova L.D., Kozhurina T.S., Safonova O.V. relief of heartburn with a single dose of alginates in patients with GERD // Experiment. and wedge. gastroenterol. – 2009. – No. 4. – S. 83-91.

² More than 4 hours – Bulgakov S.