Stress, worry and anxiety can take a toll on your stomach: Just think back to how you felt the last time you went on a job interview, got pulled over for speeding or awaited the results of a medical test. Those nervous butterflies in your belly were hard to ignore.

 

“The enteric nervous system, a collection of neurons in the gastrointestinal tract, makes up your gut’s brain,” said Anam Omer, M.D., gastroenterologist with Houston Methodist Gastroenterology Associates at Sugar Land. “The entire system is very sensitive to moods — and stress can be a major contributor to many digestive problems.”

 

Here’s a look at common conditions and how they’re affected by stress:

 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an intestinal disorder that’s marked by cramping, gas, bloating and a change in bowel habits. Stress doesn’t cause the condition, but some IBS sufferers find that it brings on flare-ups. Experts think that this may be because the colon is partly controlled by the body’s autonomic nervous system, which responds to stress.

 

Heartburn occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter muscle relaxes and opens up. This can cause stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. According to the National Heartburn Alliance, stress can cause problems with the way food makes its way through your digestive system, causing food to move upward instead of down. Research shows that heartburn sufferers who recently experienced a life-changing event were more likely to develop severe symptoms.

 

Indigestion — or feelings of bloating or nausea, belching, gas and diarrhea — is often caused by eating too much or eating too fast, consuming high-fat foods or eating during stressful situations. “It can also be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or ulcers,” Omer said. “Indigestion tends to get worse during stressful times and improve in times of relaxation. Stress can worsen underlying health conditions and trigger unhealthy eating and smoking, both of which are known to worsen indigestion.”

 

EASE ANXIETY AND BELLYACHES

You can’t always avoid stress, but you can manage it and help ease your stomach woes. Some key strategies include:

 

Exercise. Regular activity helps reduce stress, control weight, regulate bowel function, and improve your overall well-being. Just make sure to exercise before eating or wait at least one hour after a meal.

 

Biofeedback. This mind-over-matter technique helps you learn to control certain body functions that may have fallen into an abnormal pattern, including bowel function, and bring them back to normal. Biofeedback also helps reduce muscle tension and slow heart rate, promoting a relaxed state.

 

Relaxation and breathing techniques. Try yoga or meditation, taking slow, rhythmic breaths to lessen stress and, in turn, cramps and pain.