The Connection Between Anxiety and Stomach Problems
When you feel anxious, your body releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can cause a number of physical changes, including:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Faster breathing
- Sweating
- Dilated pupils
- Muscle tension
- Digestive changes
These digestive changes can include:
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
In addition, anxiety can also lead to changes in the gut microbiome, which is the community of trillions of bacteria that live in your gut. These bacteria play an important role in digestion, immunity, and mood. When the gut microbiome is unbalanced, it can lead to a variety of digestive problems, including those listed above.
In some cases, anxiety can also worsen existing digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and peptic ulcers.
How to manage anxiety-related stomach problems
If you are experiencing anxiety-related stomach problems, there are a number of things you can do to manage them:
- Identify and address your stressors. What are the things in your life that are causing you anxiety? Once you know what your stressors are, you can start to develop strategies for coping with them.
- Make healthy lifestyle choices. Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep can all help to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
- Practice relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help to calm your mind and body.
- Talk to a therapist. If you are struggling to manage your anxiety on your own, a therapist can help you to develop coping skills and learn how to manage your symptoms.
If you are experiencing severe or persistent stomach problems, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.