What are several ways in which stress can affect the digestive tract?!
Question: The first thing that comes to my mind regarding the effects of stress to the digestive tract is ULCERS. Not only psychological stress but also physiological stress can cause ulcers. In fact, people with type A personalities or those who are impulsive, always on the run, competitive are at risk for developing ulcers specifically the duodenal ulcers are more common. This is caused by excess acid in the stomach. Especially in time of chronic stress or prolonged stress, after your body mounts a sympathetic response or fight or flight syndrome, the body eventually tries to tame or reduce or conserve the demands like nutrients and oxygen , that is why the parasympathetic nervous system eventually takes over which increases gastric activity leading to more acid production (the body tends to digest faster to provide more energy for stress) and at the same time the transit time of foods are decreased by increased gastric motility that is why you also have DIARRHEA, and with diarrhea you can have a lot more other problems like dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. In fact, in patients who suffer from massive burns, the body absorbs a strong physiological stress because of reduced blood or fluids in the body, the circulation to the stomach is decreased and this produces a specific type of ulcer called curling's ulcer. Actually ulcer and diarrhea are a result of a more prolonged effect of stress. During the acute onset of stress or immediate effect, the sympathetic response is predominant and the tendency of the body is to fight or flight, to fight or run from the stressor. That is why energy is focused on the cardiovascular, bones and muscles, thus in the immediate situation of stress, you can have anorexia or loss of appetite, and decreased gastric motility like constipation, that is the immediate effect and later effects are diarrhea and ulcers when the parasympathetic nervous system takes over as a result of prolonged stress
Answers: The first thing that comes to my mind regarding the effects of stress to the digestive tract is ULCERS. Not only psychological stress but also physiological stress can cause ulcers. In fact, people with type A personalities or those who are impulsive, always on the run, competitive are at risk for developing ulcers specifically the duodenal ulcers are more common. This is caused by excess acid in the stomach. Especially in time of chronic stress or prolonged stress, after your body mounts a sympathetic response or fight or flight syndrome, the body eventually tries to tame or reduce or conserve the demands like nutrients and oxygen , that is why the parasympathetic nervous system eventually takes over which increases gastric activity leading to more acid production (the body tends to digest faster to provide more energy for stress) and at the same time the transit time of foods are decreased by increased gastric motility that is why you also have DIARRHEA, and with diarrhea you can have a lot more other problems like dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. In fact, in patients who suffer from massive burns, the body absorbs a strong physiological stress because of reduced blood or fluids in the body, the circulation to the stomach is decreased and this produces a specific type of ulcer called curling's ulcer. Actually ulcer and diarrhea are a result of a more prolonged effect of stress. During the acute onset of stress or immediate effect, the sympathetic response is predominant and the tendency of the body is to fight or flight, to fight or run from the stressor. That is why energy is focused on the cardiovascular, bones and muscles, thus in the immediate situation of stress, you can have anorexia or loss of appetite, and decreased gastric motility like constipation, that is the immediate effect and later effects are diarrhea and ulcers when the parasympathetic nervous system takes over as a result of prolonged stress
can make you have diarea , gastrointestnits pain , spasms of the intestines .
IBS is known to be a catchall diagnosis for stress. I think stress can effect our health in ways we cannot truly measure. Look for some of the yoga poses that help with and try this or try letting go of some of the stress by buying a mini trampoline, the vigorous movement can help with the system and be a great way to let go of the stress. ;)
Stress is a major factor in dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing. I know when I am tense or upset and then later try to eat or drink, I damn near choke to death - the pain when & where the food or drink gets "stuck" in my esophagus is so unbearable and very scary! I have to patiently try to wait for it to slowly slide down and it is awful - I can't burp, I can't coughm I can't move - I can't even throw up - I have to hope it hurries up and goes down. Usually takes 15 or 20 minutes.