Youve Developed Acid Reflux
If you have noticed recently having more trouble digesting acidic foods, your anxiety might be the culprit. This relationship is especially likely if youre going through a period of more stress than usual.
Anxiety increases the amount of acid produced in the stomach, Backe says. If you find yourself constantly dealing with heartburn or acid reflux this could be a sign of a digestive issue related to anxiety. So talk to your therapist or doctor to find a solution that works for you.
Beat Stress To Ease Tummy Troubles
You may have noticed a feeling of unease in your stomach during times of stress. That’s because anxiety and worry can upset the delicate balance of digestion.
In some people, stress slows down digestion, causing bloating, pain and constipation, while in others it speeds it up, causing diarrhoea and frequent trips to the loo. Some people lose their appetite completely.
Stress can also worsen digestive conditions like stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
A solution is to avoid eating when you’re feeling very anxious, stressed or unhappy.
It also helps your digestion if you avoid arguing at the dinner table, as getting angry can put you off your food or make eating harder. Try to keep mealtimes happy and relaxed.
Slowing Progression Of The Disease
Consistently keeping your blood sugar within your target range is the key to preventing or delaying nerve damage. Good blood sugar management may even improve some of your current symptoms. Your doctor will figure out the best target range for you based on factors including your age, how long youve had diabetes and your overall health.
Blood sugar levels may need to be individualized. But, in general, the American Diabetes Association recommends the following target blood sugar levels for most people with diabetes:
- Between 80 and 130 mg/dL, which is 4.4 and 7.2 millimoles per liter before meals
- Less than 180 mg/dL two hours after meals
Mayo Clinic encourages slightly lower blood sugar levels for most younger people with diabetes, and slightly higher levels for older people who may be more at risk of low blood sugar complications. Mayo Clinic generally recommends the following target blood sugar levels before meals:
- Between 80 and 120 mg/dL for people age 59 and younger who have no other medical conditions
- Between 100 and 140 mg/dL for people age 60 and older, or for those who have other medical conditions, including heart, lung or kidney disease
Other important ways to help slow or prevent neuropathy from getting worse include keeping your blood pressure under control, maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular physical activity.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Bacteria In Your Stomach
Don’t Miss: How To Know You Have Stomach Ulcer
Why Is Anxiety Felt In The Stomach
When you are anxious or stressed, there are hormones and neurotransmitters that are released in your body. The chemicals have an effect on gut motility. Gut motility is the way the GIT pushes food from one section of the gut to the next and also pushes excreta from the body.
When anxious, gut motility is greatly impacted causing stomach anxiety. There are many causes of anxiety, and one of the most common is chronic stress. When we experience a stressful event, its normal for our bodies to release hormones like cortisol, which help us escape or avoid the situation.
But if we continue experiencing stressful events on a regular basis, this becomes less effective because the body doesnt release enough cortisol. This can cause our gut motility to be negatively impacted, which can make people feel more anxious than they would if they werent stressed. Its also worth noting that stress may also lower stomach acid levels, which can lead to feelings of unease in the stomach.
Gut Support Tool Two: Prebiotics
Non-digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon, and thus improves host health.
Key combinations of beneficial bacteria have been shown to help improve the stress response as have specific forms of prebiotic fibres, such as galacto oligosaccharides .
While specific types of prebiotic fibres in supplemental form can help support the gut and the stress response but feeding key species of beneficial bacteria and supporting the gut lining. Additionally, the range and quantity of plant fibres in the diet has been associated with a reduction in levels of stress and anxiety. These are two key factors that can contribute to bloating.
However, if someone is experiencing bloating very frequently, it may be best to avoid specific fibres which commonly contribute to increased gas production. These are commonly referred to FODMAPs.
These include
Even if certain foods are restricted, its important to keep the diet as diverse as possible. Two aims to keep in mind are
The aim here is to have the diet as diverse as possible to support a diverse gut microbiome.
Dont Miss: Gossip Girl Blair Bulimia
Recommended Reading: How To Tell Difference Between Stomach Flu And Food Poisoning
Your Upset Stomach May Be Cause By Stress
An upset stomach is one of the most common symptoms of stress and anxiety. This can come from a single stressful moment like public speaking or a bad breakup or chronic worry over time from work or a global pandemic.
If your stomach hurts without any obvious cause, such as food illness, its possible that feelings of stress or anxiety could be the trigger. In addition to stomachaches, stress can also cause other digestive problems:
- indigestion
- hunger
- heartburn
While these symptoms may stem from stress or anxiety, they can also become a source of stress. For example, someone who experiences diarrhea or urgency with bowel movements may fear having an accident in public this can prevent them from leaving their home or limit the places they go.
Why Does Stress Cause Problems In The Digestive System
Theres increasing evidence showing that theres an important relationship between the brain and the digestive system. This is sometimes called the brain-gut or gut-brain axis.
Communication between the two can affect activity in the brain and in the digestive system. This is why stress can cause symptoms in the stomach and the gut, and why the reverse is also true having digestive problems can make us feel very stressed and anxious.
When were in a stressful situation, our bodies tend to have a fight or flight reaction. Hormones are released which prepare us to act, by keeping us alert and energised.
The theory is that when these stress hormones are released, digestion slows down or even stops altogether so that the body can divert its energy to managing the perceived threat. This slowing down of the digestive process causes the symptoms of bloating, constipation, and pain.
We also know that in some people, stress can cause the opposite problem, speeding up the digestive process and causing diarrhoea.
Also Check: How To Relieve Stomach Cramps
Tips For Managing Anxiety In The Stomach
If youre dealing with anxiety in your stomach, there are a few things you can do to help.
Indigestion Caused Due To Anxiety
People that are suffering from persistent anxiety are likely to suffer from stomach problems like indigestion issues. However, the prime mechanism that leads to indigestion during anxiety is still vague, but it is thought to occur from the following reasons.
- Adrenaline Adrenaline is the chemical that is released excessively during anxiety. This chemical compound is liable to make changes in the processing of nutrients, especially the glucose and when the body experiences a change in nutrient processing, it affects the digestion severely and hence leading to stomach problems.
- Neurotransmitters and Hormones As already mentioned, anxiety, digestion and gut is mainly affected by the similar neurotransmitters and hormones. So, when a person is suffering from anxiety, the balance of neurotransmitter and hormones in body gets disturbed, which leads to stomach discomfort and other stomach problems.
- Stomach Acid The stomach acid is also affected during anxiety. The acid reflux is more commonly affected when the person suffers from severe anxiety. The stomach starts releasing excessive stomach acid during stress and anxiety and this increases the production of stomach acid, which causes heartburn and poor digestion.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Magnesium For Anxiety And Depression
You May Like: How To Treat Excess Gas In The Stomach
Effect On Other Parts Of The Body
Neuropathy can affect various other parts of the body as well. For instance, some people start to develop blood pressure problems because their body can no longer regulate blood pressure properly. This then results in a compromised sense of balance. People with this condition frequently feel faint and lightheaded.
The Stomach
Meanwhile, their stomach can also be affected in a variety of different ways. Peripheral neuropathy can also affect the digestive system and the intestines. This can lead to frequent diarrhea and loose stools, with possible dehydration. On the other hand, some may experience constipation.
Digestive System
Meanwhile, the digestive tract and throat can swell, and they can become numb as well. This can make it difficult to eat properly or to swallow food. In the worst case scenario, this can be life-threatening. While this is incredibly rare, it is still important that you are aware of this potential situation, so that you can avoid it before it gets too late.
The Heart
Some people also experience irregular heartbeat, or they may have panic attacks and find it difficult to breathe. While it may be a simple panic attic, it can also be a symptom of neuropathy. It is best to never take any chances and to seek medical advice immediately. If you are wondering how bad peripheral neuropathy can get, the real answer is that it can get very bad indeed. In fact, it can be lethal.
You May Like: How To Burn Stomach And Back Fat
What Treatments Are Available
Treatments depend entirely on the type of nerve damage, symptoms, and location. Your doctor will explain how nerve damage is causing specific symptoms and how to minimize and manage them. With proper education, some people may be able to reduce their medication dose or manage their neuropathy without medications. Definitive treatment can permit functional recovery over time, as long as the nerve cell itself has not died.
Addressing neuropathys causes. Correcting underlying causes can result in the neuropathy resolving on its own as the nerves recover or regenerate. Nerve health and resistance can be improved by healthy lifestyle habits such as maintaining optimal weight, avoiding toxic exposures, eating a balanced diet, and correcting vitamin deficiencies. Smoking cessation is particularly important because smoking constricts the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the peripheral nerves and can worsen neuropathic symptoms. Exercise can deliver more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to far-off nerve endings, improve muscle strength, and limit muscle atrophy. Self-care skills in people with diabetes and others who have an impaired ability to feel pain can alleviate symptoms and often create conditions that encourage nerve regeneration. Strict control of blood glucose levels has been shown to reduce neuropathic symptoms and help people with diabetic neuropathy avoid further nerve damage.
Specific symptoms can usually be improved
Recommended Reading: What Could Cause Bloating Of The Stomach
What Foods Trigger Neuropathy
Neuropathy from diabetes will worsen with certain foods and drinks that cause your blood sugar levels to spike. Triggers include excessively salty food, too, not just sugary goods. When in doubt, fruit and vegetables will never let you down and can be an excellent way to fill your plate.
If youre suffering from neuropathy due to type 1 or type 2 diabetes, theres a chance you are already relatively mindful of your diet. Below is a list of the top six foods and drinks that you should avoid if you suffer from peripheral neuropathy.
What Is The 333 Rule For Anxiety
- *List three noises that you are currently hearing.
- Move three different parts of your body: your feet, then your fingers, and finally your shoulders.
- And describe three things that stand out to you.
- The activity that the psychologist recommended for bringing one back to the here and now was as follows: Whenever you feel like your brain is going a thousand miles per hour, do this exercise to help bring you back to the present moment.
Also Check: Is Alka Seltzer Good For Upset Stomach
Should I Be Getting Screened Regularly For Colon Cancer Or Other Gi Tract Cancers
As of 2021, the United States Preventative Services Task Force and major GI medical societies recommend that adults at average risk for colorectal cancer are regularly screened beginning at age 45.
People who have a family history of colorectal cancer or other GI tract cancers, including stomach or pancreas cancer, or a history of GI conditions like inflammatory bowel disease may need routine cancer screening earlier than age 45.
Talk your primary care physician about your risk and ask if you should get tested.
Your Stomach Ache Goes Away When You Avoid A Phobia
You might even know the types of things that make you uncomfortable, or even particular things that you fear big time. Dr. Zarnegar says that if your stomach feels better when you avoid an anxiety-provoking situation such as flying, dating, or public speaking, that might be a hint these things are connected. But avoiding your fears can cause problems, too.
For example, you might really want a romantic partner, and have intense fear and emotional challenges around intimacy that could lead to a physical symptoms like stomach aches, she says. Then when you avoid that fear, like canceling a date, you feel better.
Unfortunately, many of the things we fear the most are things we have to encounter frequently, or are things we want to do to move forward in our lives. These are all issues you might want to tackle with the help of a professional, but things like journaling and meditation can also help you connect to and understand your feelings.
You May Like: How To Lose My Stomach Pouch
How Do I Know If Its Anxiety And Not An Ulcer
Its not uncommon to find yourself concerned that your struggle with stomach pain is not from anxiety or stress at all. For example, you may find yourself concerned that instead of anxiety, what you are really struggling with is an ulcer.
Only a doctor can diagnose whether or not your pain is from an ulcer, but there are some clues. The clearest signal is if you have any blood in your stool or acid burps . Thats often a clear sign of an ulcer. Also, if the pain or discomfort tends to occur after eating and isnt related to a similar condition, GERD , its possible you may have an ulcer.
However, this is complicated by the fact that ulcers can be caused by long-term stress and anxiety, as they stimulate the production of extra stomach acid. This excess acid in the stomach breaks down the gastric or intestinal lining and cause open wounds that may harm your health.
Why Do I Feel Anxiety In My Stomach
The brain and the stomach are connected by the Vagus nerve. It is one of the largest nerves in a human body. The working of the nerve is affected by neurotransmitters and hormones. Some of these chemicals are produced in great quantities when you are stressed or anxious.
The vagus nerve is one of the most important parts of the human body. It connects the brain to various organs, helping them communicate with each other.
The vagus nerve runs from the brain stem down through your neck, chest and abdomen. This nerve helps control a number of functions in your body, including digestion, heart rate and blood pressure.
Recommended Reading: What’s The Best Way To Lose Weight From Stomach
What Is Anxiety In The Stomach
Anxiety in your stomach is a feeling that can be triggered by many things: exams, public speaking, or even just the thought of something youre nervous about. This feeling sometimes begins as butterflies in your stomach but can progress to serious discomfort.
It may start out as a mild feeling but often intensifies until it feels like you are being stabbed from within. The term butterflies in your stomach is often used to describe this uncomfortable feeling.
When you have anxiety in your stomach, you might feel a bit queasy and have difficulty concentrating. You might also feel an increased heart rate, sweaty palms, and clammy skin. But the main symptom of anxiety in your stomach is the feeling that something terrible is about to happen and theres nothing you can do about it.