The influence of stress on the development of functional indigestion. IBS and Stress Connection
The influence of stress on the development of functional indigestion. IBS and Stress Connection
If you have ever experienced the so-called “butterflies in the gut”, then you know how the influence of stress on sensations in the intestines manifests itself. In most cases, IBS and stress manifest simultaneously. And by lowering your stress level, you can reduce the symptoms of IBS.
Before we understand the connection between stress and IBS, it is important to understand how stress affects our body and what causes stress. Stress is the body’s reaction to difficult or dangerous situations, which triggers the “fight or flight” reaction responsible for protective reactions in the body. When this reaction is activated, the heart rate increases, the stress hormone cortisol is released, blood circulation to some organs slows down, and digestion processes slow down.
Types of stress include:
For our ancestors, when meeting with predators and enemies, the stress reaction was necessary for survival. It provided an additional release of energy so that people could fight enemies or quickly run away from them. The purpose of the “fight or flight” response is to divert as much oxygenated blood as possible from certain organs, including the digestive organs, and deliver it to the muscles of the arms and legs. The “fight or flight” response perfectly helped our ancestors to survive when attacked by a wild animal, but in the modern world, such situations are rare. But nowadays we have other sources of stress, such as deadlines and a busy work schedule, which over time can cause chronic stress. It negatively affects the entire body, leads to exhaustion of the nervous system and can manifest itself in diseases such as IBS.
Chronic stress negatively affects the entire body, leads to exhaustion of the nervous system and can manifest itself in diseases such as IBS.
Stress provokes many changes in the body, affects hormones, nerve endings and bacteria in the gut. All these changes can provoke the appearance of IBS:
The human digestive system has its own nerve plexuses, which form the enteric nervous system, often called the “second brain”. The enteral nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the smooth muscles of internal organs that have contractile activity. Unlike the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts, which are directly regulated by the central nervous system, the enteral nervous system functions independently of the central nervous system.
The main tasks of the enteral nervous system are breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and removing undigested particles require correct rhythmic muscle contractions that evenly move food down the gastrointestinal tract. And the enteric nervous system precisely regulates the complex motility of the intestines.
The enteric system is connected to the brain through the vagus nerve. Most of the fibers of the vagus nerve carry information from the gut to the brain. This means that everyday emotional state can affect the gut. When a stomach ache or a “bear’s disease” catches you suddenly, this may be an example of a physiological reaction to stress.
The Gut-Brain Connection is at the core of IBS development. The pain you experience with IBS, as well as other symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation, are caused by an improper interaction between the gut and the brain.
Vagus Nerve stimulation is an effective practice for relaxation, as well as improving the interaction between the gut and the brain. In the practice of yoga, we emphasize breathing practices, in particular, diaphragmatic breathing, which is the best exercise for stimulating the vagus nerve. Some asanas also have a direct effect on this body part, and deep belly breathing in asanas enhances the effect on the vagus nerve, causing a feeling of deep relaxation.
The Enteric System is connected to the brain through the Vagus Nerve. Most of the fibers of the vagus nerve carry information from the gut to the brain. This means that everyday emotional state can affect the gut.
There are many studies on the beneficial effect of meditation on reducing stress. Nowadays meditation and relaxation practices are included in traditional protocols for anxiety disorders and depression treatment and are also widely used by specialists in IBS treatment programs.
Art therapy, like meditation, can reduce anxiety, help manage fears, anxious thoughts, and social discomfort caused by IBS symptoms.
Hypnotherapy, aimed at the interaction of the gut-brain connection, is currently the most studied psychological tool for IBS treatment. Unlike other tools, such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and other types of psychotherapy, where the main work is directed at consciousness, hypnotherapy is directed at working with the subconscious. Hypnotherapy can help provide deep relaxation in many people, and in a state of deep relaxation, the mind becomes more open to the recommendations used in hypnotherapy. Using certain guidelines, the hypnotherapist can give the patient a posthypnotic suggestion that will allow the patient to go into a deeply relaxed state whenever a gastrointestinal attack occurs.
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