Does Anxiety Cause Stomach Issues

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 arent 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.

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How Does Stress Affect Your Stomach

Stress is your nervous systems normal physical, emotional, and intellectual response to changes, challenges, or stressors in your environment. When you start to feel common symptoms of stressquickening heart rate, muscle tension, stomach crampsyour body is entering fight-or-flight response mode. This physical reaction is all thanks to a hormone called cortisol.

The adrenal glands trigger a spike in cortisol production and release it into the bloodstream, creating the panicky sensations that youre feeling in your stomach. And while cortisol may be responsible for the initial digestive problems, its potential to cause problems can stick around a lot longer than the .

In addition to triggering , nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation, elevated cortisol levels can also lead people to seek out unhealthy stress reduction techniques that only worsen the problem. Overeating, poor dietary choices, using tobacco, and can make chronic stress-related stomach pain more severe.

Tips For Reducing Stress And Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are a normal part of life, and sometimes it is impossible to avoid them. The good news is there are tips for managing stress to reduce its impact on your digestive and overall health.

Top tips for reducing stress and anxiety include:

Understanding what you are going through and finding the best solutions that work for you can reduce anxiety and related tummy troubles to a great extent.

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Ways To Manage Anxiety In The Stomach

If you treat the anxiety, you may reduce the incidences of nervous stomach. If you experience anxiety in your stomach, there are many natural ways you can combat it.

• Some methods include eating healthy foods like fruits or vegetables.
• You should also make sure to drink a lot of water and get plenty of exercise. By staying hydrated and active, youll be able to fend off any symptoms of anxiety that may come up. Some people who experience anxiety can find relief by drinking plenty of water. It might not work for everyone, but its worth a try.
• Another way to combat this feeling is by taking deep breaths in and out. This will help calm your body down and relax the muscles in your stomach.
• Yoga is another great way to manage this feeling because it promotes mental awareness and stability.
• Exercise: Exercise is a great way to release endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make people feel good. Regular exercise can also lead to weight loss and increased energy levels, which may help reduce anxiety.
• Meditation: Meditation can help relieve the symptoms of anxiety. It calms the brain and enables you to sleep well and relax

Other ways of managing anxiety in the stomach include:

The Connection Between Anxiety And Stomach Problems

Dr. Tracey Marks/

Theres a bidirectional relationship between gastrointestinal disorders and anxiety. This relationship is thought to be controlled by a gut-brain connection. Research studies have concluded that there is signaling between the gut and the brain that affects the way we think and behave.

So what does this mean? It means that having a disorder like GERD or Irritable Bowel Syndrome and perhaps even colitis can cause anxiety as well as depression.

Why does this matter? It matters with how you handle the anxiety. The usual medication treatment for anxiety is serotonin enhancing antidepressants like Prozac or Zoloft. But one of the main side effects of those drugs is gastrointestinal distress like nausea, diarrhea or constipation. So they can make your gastrointestinal illness worse. It may not, some people with GERD who take acid reducing medication can do okay with one of these antidepressants. But not all do.

So knowing that the anxiety medication can worsen your symptoms, an alternative approach may be to focus on getting the optimal treatment for your gastrointestinal symptoms first and then using cognitive behavioral strategies to address your anxiety.

The microbiome is the trillions of microorganisms, called microbes that inhabit your body. The microbes include bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses and most of them live in your small and large intestines.

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Could Multiple Sclerosis Begin In The Gut

MS researchers are focusing on the content of the guts microbiome as a possible contributor to the bodys autoimmune attack on its nervous system

Multiple sclerosis is an electrical disorder, or rather one of impaired myelin, a fatty, insulating substance that better allows electric current to bolt down our neurons and release the neurotransmitters that help run our bodies and brains. Researchers have speculated for some time that the myelin degradation seen in MS is due, at least in part, to autoimmune activity against the nervous system. Recent work presented at the MS Boston 2014 Meeting suggests that this aberrant immune response begins in the gut.

Eighty percent of the human immune system resides in the gastrointestinal tract. Alongside it are the trillions of symbiotic bacteria, fungi and other single-celled organisms that make up our guts microbiomes. Normally everyone wins: The microorganisms benefit from a home and a steady food supply we enjoy the essential assistance they provide in various metabolic and digestive functions. Our microbiomes also help calibrate our immune systems, so our bodies recognize which co-inhabitants should be there and which should not. Yet mounting evidence suggests that when our resident biota are out of balance, they contribute to numerous diseases, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, autism and, it appears, MS by inciting rogue immune activity that can spread throughout the body and brain.

What To Do When You Have Stomach Problems From Anxiety

While the best way for you to stop your stomach problems is to cure your anxiety, there are some strategies that you can try to implement that may reduce some of the symptoms. These include:

• Breathing Exercises There are relaxation exercises that focus on the idea of breathing more efficiently. When your stomach problems are caused by hyperventilation or air swallowing, slow and controlled breathing can be not only calming but also reduce the likelihood of further air swallowing symptoms.
• Healthier Diet Even though anxiety is going to create some stomach problems no matter what you eat, the reality is that foods that are hard to digest are always going to put some strain and stress on your stomach. When combined with anxiety, they’ll be more likely to get much worse. Healthier eating can be a much more effective way to ensure that you aren’t suffering from as many stomach problems.
• Exercise Exercise can temporarily create more stomach problems because exercise increases stomach acid. But eventually, exercise should help you control your anxiety better, and possibly improve your hormonal balance. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health, providing far more benefits than simply muscle mass and a healthy heart.

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How To Manage It

Getting help for anxiety can make a big difference in both mental and physical symptoms. Talking to a mental health professional is a good first step.

A therapist can help you find the treatment that best fits your needs, whether its therapy or a combination of therapy and medication. Some people who experience GI symptoms and anxiety or depression find that antidepressants help with both sets of symptoms.

Certain lifestyle changes could also help you manage symptoms of anxiety. Some tips that may be especially helpful for diarrhea and other stomach issues include:

• avoiding alcohol and tobacco

Its also important to know how to cope with anxiety and stress as you experience it. If youre working with a therapist, they can help you explore coping methods.

On a larger scale, it may also help to take inventory of your daily tasks, both at home and at work. If they feel overwhelming, set aside time to go over your responsibilities. Ask yourself if theyre essential, or if theres anything thats adding unnecessary stress to your life.

Can increased self-care or division of responsibilities reduce your load? Sometimes, taking a careful look at everything youre dealing with can help you find new ways to address challenges. If possible, involve a trusted co-worker or loved one in the process.

You may also want to make an appointment if:

Try Calming Diffuser Oils Or Incenses

Herbal incenses, or essential oils used as aromatic diffusers, have been known to help some people with anxiety.

Purchase products with calming herbs like chamomile, lavender, vetiver, or rose. Follow the products directions. Combine this with some relaxing time and space for yourself when dealing with a nervous stomach.

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How To Deal With Anxiety

Here are some tips that can help you control and reduce the stomach signs and symptoms due to anxiety:

• Eat healthyâ Be prepared for stomach issues no matter what you eat, as anxiety often leads to various gastrointestinal problems even when there is nothing in your stomach. However, certain foods can just make these problems get worse.
• Exercise regularlyâ In the beginning, your stomach problems will get worse as physical activity increases stomach acid. However, on the long run, regular physical activity will help you control your anxiety issues and even improve your hormonal balance.
• Breathing exercisesâ They will help you relax and focus on your breathing. These exercises are especially helpful in cases when your stomach issues are caused by hyperventilation and air swallowing.

If your stomach problems are a real issue, then you should seek medical help. However, the most important thing is to control and cure your anxiety. Here are some tips that can help you reduce and eliminate stress:

• Cognitive therapy for stress and anxiety
• Counseling for stress and anxiety
• Keeping a daily journal about things that make you anxious, how you feel at that certain moment and what makes you feel better
• Prioritizing your responsibilities

The Parents Role Is Key

Its only natural that parents dont want to see their kids in distress or make them go to school when theyre worried that theyll throw up. That puts parents in a difficult spot. What we hear from parents is, We just let them stay home one day and one day led to three months, says Dr. Domingues. Its a slippery slope the child may ask to stay home more and more.

So we work with parents a lot around how to find that balance between enabling anxiety and meeting a child where they are, she adds. And we also give them statements that they can use to be empathic and encouraging at the same time. For instance: I know that this is really hard and you feel like youre sick. But we also know that this is anxiety, and you can get through it.

Sometimes setting up a reward system can help by giving a lot of positive reinforcement for kids pushing through their anxiety.

Parents also face the challenge of tolerating their own anxiety about pushing a child who says they are ill or worried about vomiting. If your kid is in distress and talking about not wanting to go to school or feeling sick or thinking they might throw up, says Dr. Domingues, then youre, as a parent, also anxious that that might happen.

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What Does An Anxiety Stomach Ache Feel Like

Pain in the stomach due to anxiety feels like knots in the stomach. This is because the spasms, increased stomach acids, and effects of anxiety on the movement of food can cause stomach aches felts as knots. The effect of the knots is that some people will feel nauseated and even vomit due to anxiety.

How To Reduce Stomach Pain

If you find yourself suffering from stomach pain, you have several different options when it comes to remedies.

• Heat Putting a hot water bottle on your tummy can help the muscles to relax, thereby reducing tummy pain
• Apple cider vinegar this popular remedy is believed to help with digestive issues. Make sure to dilute it with water and drink through a straw to avoid the acid damaging your teeth
• Medication Over-the-counter remedies can help alleviate the effects of stomach pain. Always read the label first.
• Herbal tea calming teas may help your stomach to get back to normal. Try ginger, chamomile or peppermint.

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Why Do I Feel Anxiety In My Stomach

The brain and the stomach are connected by the Vagus nerve. It is one of the largest nerves in the human body. The working of the nerve is affected by neurotransmitters and hormones. Some of these chemicals are produced in great quantities when you are stressed or anxious.

The vagus nerve, which is affected by neurotransmitters and hormones, is one of the most important parts of the human body. It connects the brain to various organs, helping them communicate with each other. Thus, effects on the nerve can cause stomach symptoms of anxiety.

The vagus nerve runs from the brain stem down through your neck, chest, and abdomen. This nerve helps control a number of functions in your body, including digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.

How To Calm A Nervous Stomach

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

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

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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 were 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.

Types Of Stomach Problems From Anxiety

What’s interesting about anxiety stomach problems is that they may occur at different times for different people. Some people get stomach problems only during severe anxiety attacks. Others get these problems all throughout the day but know that they suffer from intense anxiety.

The following represent the most common types of “stomach problems” from anxiety. Remember, people often use the word stomach to also include bowels, colloquially.

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Check With Your Pediatrician

When a child develops a pattern of physical symptoms before school, or other potentially stressful moments, experts recommend that you visit your doctor to rule out medical concerns. But if the child gets a clean bill of health, the next step is to help the child make the connection between their worries and their physical symptoms.

We help them understand in a very child-friendly way that sometimes our body can actually give us clues into what were feeling, explains Ms. Greenspan.

Parents can start by validating their childs experience and reframing it in a more helpful way. Instead of telling kids theres nothing wrong with them, the goal is to tell them that what theyre feeling is worry.

We give it a name, adds Dr. Domingues. We help them connect it to an emotion and label it. And after some practice kids are able to identify it, she adds. Yes, my stomach hurts and, oh yeah, I remember thats because Im feeling worried. And after learning some skills to help them calm down, I think they feel a sense of control. And that helps.

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