Here, the junction that connects the cells that line the gut lose their integrity, leading to certain compounds entering the blood stream. High levels of stress and the cortisol that are products can also impact our gut lining leading to increased intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut. This reduced blood flow, if chronic, can impact bowel motility, leading to reduced motility in the small intestine, which may then lead to bacterial imbalances developing. The body thinks, “we can worry about digestion when we’re safe” and puts it on pause. The digestive system is in the first category. Into this category goes the large muscles used to power our escape. All processes classed as essential for survival have blood diverted to them. Many of these negatives come about through a disruption in our gut microbiome, the trillions of beneficial bacteria within the gut.ĭue to environmental stresses being interpreted and a life-or-death situation by the brain, all process called as non-essential for survival have their blood flow reduced. Within the gut, cortisol has several negative impacts which can lead to bloating. With the modern stresses such as email they can be present for years, day in, day out. The situation with the lion would typically be over within 5 minutes, you’d either become lunch for the lion or you’d escape. In primal terms this is the lion in the jungle that’s chasing us, but in modern terms this is the 100 emails in your inbox. To either fight the threat or to run away from it. When feeling threatened we are left with 2 options. The fight or flight response is triggered by feeling under threat. This is what we would consider the “fight or flight response”. As well as increasing heart rate and respiratory rate, again to provide higher levels of oxygen to power the escape. These include altering metabolism to increase the energy available to escape the perceived threat. Once activated, this then signals to the adrenals glands to release the hormone cortisol.Ĭortisol has many roles. When under stress or feelings of anxiety begin to rise, our limbic system (the region of the brain with responsibility for memory and emotional responses) becomes activated. The role of this pathway is to monitor and integrate gut functions as well as to integrate the parts of the brain responsible for emotional and cognitive function. This is a communication pathway that runs between the brain and the digestive system. This happens mainly through the gut-brain axis. The daily stresses can impact our digestive function through various pathways and it’s the bloating or churning feeling in the stomach that can be the first warning sign of our stress levels.
This often happens before they feel the stress emotionally. Our brains tune them out.Ī very common theme for those with digestive symptoms is that they feel the stress in their gut. The issue with these stressors becoming normal is that we stop noticing them.
Daily challenges, endless emails, traffic jams, they all contribute. Stress and anxiety are so common in our lives in the 21 st century that we might not always be aware of them. (Source: ) Can stress and anxiety cause stomach problems?
For many it can feel very different to the typical feeling of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) but for other it can be very similar. (Source: ) What does anxiety stomach pain feel like?Īnxiety can be felt in the stomach in a number of ways. Very commonly, when someone is experiencing digestive symptoms of bloating, but also other symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) such as cramping or constipation, these more emotional symptoms are present.Ĭan stress cause bloating or is it that the digestive symptoms are causing the stress? This seems to be a combination that often comes hand in hand.
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