When we're stressed, hormones and neurotransmitters are released in the body. This can negatively impact gut motility, or the way our intestines and stomach squeeze and move waste through the body. Also, stress can affect the delicate balance of bacteria in our gut, causing GI discomfort.
If the stress response is triggered too often, the body has a harder time recovering. This impedes the flow of digestion and can cause stomach upset. It can also contribute to the development of irritable bowel syndrome and/or ulcers. The digestive system cannot function properly with too much stress or stimulation.
Common GI symptoms
Stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms are more common than you may think. According to Swanson, 20 to 40% of the population will at some point experience GI pain or discomfort brought on by stress. These symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating and nausea.
02/9What is stress belly? Stress belly is not a medical condition, it is a sign of how stress and stress hormones are affecting your weight and especially belly fat. The high levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone is associated with abdominal fat.
"The enteric nervous system, a collection of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract, makes up your gut's brain," says Dr. Muhammad Talha Farooqui, a gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist. "The entire system is very sensitive to moods — and stress can be a major contributor to many digestive problems."
See Your Doc. If you've consistently put these strategies into play — de-stressing, getting quality sleep, eating a balanced diet with plenty of fiber, and exercising regularly — you'll likely see a difference after only a couple of weeks, Freuman says.
Stress belly is not a medical condition, it is a sign of how stress and stress hormones are affecting your weight and especially belly fat. The high levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone is associated with abdominal fat.
Increased long-term cortisol levels are thought to be directly related to abdominal obesity. Short-term stress may also cause belly fat, but it's more likely to occur in individuals who are constantly under pressure and stress.
Personal trainer Laura Flinn recommends "limiting your sugar and simple carbs, eating a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, healthy fats, and lean protein."In addition, adding foods to your diet that reduce stress can also help lower cortisol levels and shrink that stress belly.
Common gastrointestinal symptoms due to stress are heartburn, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and associated lower abdominal pain.
Stress is known to cause low-grade intestinal inflammation via increased bacterial translocation and the production of poisons (87).
Chronicfatigue, tiredness, and lack of energy.
"When the body cannot handle emotional overload, it simply begins to shut down. And that is often manifested by a sense of extreme tiredness and fatigue," says Kalayjian.
Chronic stress can affect both our physical and psychological well-being by causing a variety of problems including anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system.
Toxic stress response:
This is the body's response to lasting and serious stress, without enough support from a caregiver. When a child doesn't get the help he needs, his body can't turn off the stress response normally. This lasting stress can harm a child's body and brain and can cause lifelong health problems.
When you have it, you may feel: Cramping, churning, tightness, or knots in the stomach. “Butterflies” in the stomach feeling. Shivering, shaking, or twitching of muscles.
Physiologic stress can alter the pH and disrupt hemostatic digestion, leading to gastric pH irregularities. In such stressed conditions, the elevated levels of histamine and ACH (neurotransmitter acetylcholine) cause increased acid production, thus inducing gastritis. This causes inflammation of the stomach.
“Exercise has very clearly documented anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects and helps turn down inflammation,” Raison says. “So, we have good reason to believe that being more active, exercising and getting our heart rate up on a general basis is very beneficial.”
Stress belly is the extra abdominal fat that accumulates as the result of chronic or prolonged stress. Although stress belly is not a medical diagnosis, it is a term used to describe the way that stress and stress hormones impact your midsection.
Common signs and symptoms of higher-than-normal cortisol levels include: Weight gain, especially in your face and abdomen. Fatty deposits between your shoulder blades. Wide, purple stretch marks on your abdomen (belly).