Have you ever had one of those days where it just seemed like the punches kept on coming? On those days, perhaps your bowels were all out of whack. Today, we’re going to answer some really common questions about this topic, like can stress cause bad digestion, how do I stop stress from affecting my gut, and how does anxiety affect your gut. Let’s get started.
Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection
Our organ systems don’t act independently. They’re constantly receiving signals via neural pathways and intracellular signaling with hormones, minerals, sugars, and so much more. But… did you know that the digestive system is linked to the brain via neural pathways? This is called the gut-brain axis.
You’ll hear about this cool topic in studies about gut health and the gut microbiome (it can actually impact our mental health!), but it also goes the other way, too. How we feel can impact how our digestive system moves things along. Let’s see how:
How Stress Disrupts Digestion
So, can stress cause bad digestion? Unfortunately, yes. So can anxiety.
According to a variety of studies (see this review here), doctors have determined that stress has the following physical impacts on our digestive system:
Changes in how quickly or slowly the intestines move food through themselves.
Increased sensitivity of the nervous system to processing subconscious sensory data. This is called visceral perception. This basically means that, while stressed, your brain is going to overreact to internal signals, furthering the problem.
Changes to the secretions in the digestive system. This can impact any step of digestion, from acid production in the stomach to pancreatic secretions for the next steps of digestion.
Increased intestinal permeability. This can also allow toxic or otherwise harmful particles to enter your bloodstream when they otherwise wouldn’t.
Negatively impacted ability of the gut lining to recover from damage and reduced blood flow to these areas.
Negative effects on the beneficial gut bacteria living in the intestines.
The Gut-Brain Feedback Loop
This axis is influenced by a feedback loop, and understanding how it all works can help you with a variety of concerns. A feedback loop is a series of biological processes that are all linked together and that impact one another in succession.
When we get stressed, for example, poor digestion can negatively impact our gut microbiome. An unhealthy gut can, in turn, cause mood problems and depression, increasing our odds of experiencing stress. You see where this is going.
How Do I Stop Stress from Affecting My Gut?
So, obviously, managing stress is quite important in not falling into this feedback loop. But, how, in practice, is this done?
There are several things you can do:
Try engaging in stress-relieving activities, such as meditation, getting enough sleep, regular exercise, or working with a therapist.
Try adjusting your diet to include more prebiotic fiber, take probiotics, and drink enough water. Try to avoid foods that are bad for a healthy gut.
How to Know When It’s Just Stress vs. Other Digestive Conditions
It’s also important to know when you’re suffering from something more serious. For example, if you experience any other weird symptoms (like blood in the stool or still feeling the urge to go after you’ve already had a bowel movement), it can’t hurt to talk to your doctor.
Learn More About Other Intestinal Conditions on Our Blog →
Concerned about your bowel health? Maybe it’s time to see a specialist. Contact the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay today.