anxiety that causes gi upset
The enteric nervous system, or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is often referred to as the “second brain.” Much like your brain, the GI tract relies on the same type of neurons and neurotransmitters to complete specific functions, as well as maintain communication with the central nervous system. You feel like you're worrying too much and it's interfering with your work, relationships or other parts of your life. Your fear, worry or anxiety is upsetting to you and difficult to control. You feel depressed, have trouble with alcohol or drug use, or have other mental health concerns along with anxiety. Anxiety is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal discomfort, especially severe anxiety. But stomach upset may also be caused by more serious conditions, like infections and GERD. Find out more about the severity of your anxiety symptoms by taking my 7 minute anxiety test. Psychological stress can impair contraction of the GI tract, induce inflammation and increase susceptibility to infection. The GI tract/brain connection is so intense that research has shown that patients who seek therapy for stress and mental anxiety see a reduction in GI symptoms. And, the reverse has been shown: changes to your diet, such as eliminating foods you may be sensitive to, can improve your mood and energy. These Bacteria Could Be The Leading Cause Of Your Anxiety — And Other Issues. Your gut feeling could be causing your anxiety. For some time, doctors have observed that patients who have gastrointestinal diseases such as GERD and irritable bowel syndrome also suffer from depression and anxiety. This link was confirmed in a recent study. There is a connection between anxiety and an upset gut. In a normal digestive tract, trillions of bacteria are constantly at work to keep your body healthy. They protect against infection, provide nutrition to cells in the digestive system and convert food to energy. Panic disorder involves repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). You may have feelings of impending doom, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a rapid, fluttering or pounding heart (heart palpitations). Medical causes. For some people, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issue. In some cases, anxiety signs and symptoms are the first indicators of a medical illness. If your doctor suspects your anxiety may have a medical cause, he or she may order tests to look for signs of a problem. Often, they occur when we're under stress. But they may also be symptoms of depression. See a doctor for a medical evaluation to determine the cause of your symptoms. When people are depressed, they sometimes develop digestive problems, including diminished appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Worry, anxiety, and stress can lead to intestinal difficulties. While your upset stomach may be severe, anxiety causes a tendency to focus on the experience, which causes further anxiety and exacerbates the severity of the stomach pain. A positive distraction, like a funny TV show, can actually make a big difference in the way you experience your upset stomach.
Severe anxiety