If you are suffering from stress-related stomach issues such as bloating, cramping, and nausea, then you are familiar with the amount of discomfort they can cause. While it is easy to think that your physical symptoms may be stemming purely from a digestive disorder or infection – research has shown that there is a strong link between emotional distress and gut health. Stress affects more than just our mental well-being; it also impacts our overall physical health by influencing the delicate balance of bacteria in our intestines.
How Stress Can Affect Gut Health
Stress can have profound effects on our bodies, particularly on our gastrointestinal system. Stress triggers hormones that cause changes in our digestive and motility systems, leading to various stomach issues such as:
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- gas bloating
- constipation
Additionally, stress-related conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be triggered or exacerbated by harsh feelings of fear, worry, or anger that can arise with stressful situations. It is important to take time to relax and manage stress levels to ensure proper gut health.
Treatment for Stress-Related Stomach Issues
Treating gastrointestinal issues caused by stress can often be a tricky task. The stomach pain and digestive disturbances associated with irritable bowel syndrome can be very unpleasant, making it essential to find relief as soon as possible. Other steps you can take to ease your pain include:
Lifestyle Modification
Making lifestyle modifications is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your gut health. Modifying your diet and exercise habits may help reduce stomach pain and other symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Dietary Changes
A key aspect of Gastrointestinal pain treatment is eating a balanced diet that properly nourishes the body and gets rid of processed foods. Eating plenty of fiber-filled fresh vegetables, lean proteins such as fish and eggs, healthy fats like avocado and nuts, and adequate hydration helps to keep your stomach functioning optimally. Eating smaller portions or monitoring foods that cause stomach discomfort may also help provide relief.
Incorporate More Probiotics Into Your Daily Life
Probiotics are an increasingly popular stomach pain treatment. They come in the form of easily ingestible pills or powders, many of which can be added to food or drinks for easy consumption. While probiotics have been around for thousands of years and are used to promote gut health and immunity, new research shows that they can also help with more serious stomach issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
The live bacteria in probiotics help to maintain balance in the gut microbiome while also decreasing inflammation and promoting better digestion.
Natural Remedies
Natural remedies like peppermint tea or ginger capsules may deliver symptomatic relief from stomach pains caused by stress. Additionally, fermentation processes such as making sauerkraut or kimchi are an excellent way to create beneficial bacteria in the stomach, which can help increase stomach acid production and reduce inflammation in the intestines.
Make Your Gut Health a Priority with Allied Digestive
Stress can wreak havoc on our gut health, but there are ways to avoid it. By following the tips we've outlined above, you can help keep your gastrointestinal tract healthy and free from stress-induced problems. If you're struggling with IBS or other digestive issues, we offer a variety of services to help you manage your condition. We understand the challenges that come with having IBS and we want to help you live a happy, healthy life. Contact Allied Digestive today and schedule an appointment.
