There is a close relationship between the digestive system and the brain, since they interact with each other through of a dense network of nerve fibers of the so-called vegetative system, destined to the responses involuntary. This fact allows us to immediately intuit why many of the people who suffer from states of stress and anxiety often manifest their discomfort through stomach disorders. In fact, intestinal problems caused by anxiety, stress and nervousness are part of a quite common symptoms throughout life and can interfere negatively in our daily lives.
In this Psychology-Online article we will see why anxiety produces gases, and how to avoid them.
Air in the stomach is a disorder of the digestive system that is produced by the excessive gas intake with the introduction of food or frequent swallowing of saliva. When air accumulates in the stomach it is known as aerophagia, while when the presence of gas is in the intestine it is bloating.
Within certain limits, air in the stomach is a completely normal phenomenon, which occurs involuntarily when speaking and while eating or drinking. However, sometimes an excessive amount of air can accumulate in the stomach due to
Consequences of anxiety and stress in the stomach
Between stress and the stomach there is a link that manifests itself at the nervous and hormonal level. In the first place, conditions of strong emotional apprehension can provoke an excessive production of cortisol and adrenaline, two hormones that can produce effects on the digestive system such as increased acid production or mucosal inflammation.
Likewise, the hyperactivity of the nervous system typical of stress can also cause problems in the production gastric juices and gastrointestinal motility, which hinders the digestion and assimilation of food. From these general mechanisms derive the bothersome symptoms found among the somatizations of anxiety and stress, that is, the bodily manifestations of conditions of discomfort psychological.
The most frequent stomach disorders related to anxiety and stress are:
- Stomachache.
- Heartburn.
- Heartburn.
Why anxiety causes stomach bloating
The relationship between anxiety or stress and stomach swelling is more complex. On the one hand, inflammation of the mucosa causes poor digestion. On the other hand, anxiety and/or stress and increased acid secretion can cause spasms in the terminal part of the stomach (pylorus), altering the mechanisms of gastric emptying. In general, this results in a feeling of fullness and abdominal tension in the stomach, especially after meals.
On the other hand, it must be emphasized that, due to the alteration of the motility of the musculature stomach, the person who suffers from anxiety or is under a lot of stress may present swelling in the stomach even when you haven't eaten anything. For this same reason, in these cases the feeling of fullness and abdominal tension often involves the intestine, especially the colon, and will alter the regularity of its main functions.
If the air introduced through the mouth is added to a pre-existing meteorism, caused, for example, by digestive disorders, this will become an aggravating factor and amplify the symptoms. In these cases, the stomach will be swollen and its painful tension will increase. You can also have the feeling that the belly is rising excessively or the perception of having a balloon full of air in the belly. In short, when this condition occurs, the person no longer feels completely in their own skin.
To the pain and physical discomfort are added other factors of great importance from the psychological and social point of view. With a belly full of air and the need to eliminate it, it is difficult to allow yourself to establish social relationships normally, for not think about the shame that the symptoms related to the uncontrollable and more or less sudden expulsion of these can cause gases.
There are a large number of remedies for stomach disorders caused by anxiety and stress. First of all, it is important to follow a proper diet and adopt a balanced lifestyle, trying to move away from the hectic rhythms often imposed by the commitments of daily life. Therefore, it is essential to take adequate time for each meal and concentrate on chew well and for a long timeavoiding overeating.
It is also important to avoid behaviors such as holding the mouth open when chewing, since this way a lot of air can enter with the food. The diet should be varied and balanced, free of foods that are difficult to digest and rich in foods rich in vitamins, especially group B, useful for producing the energy necessary for the health of the nervous system. It is also essential to dedicate time to rest, physical activity and free time in order to recover an adequate psychological balance.
Do you want to know more tips to avoid gases due to stress and anxiety? We show you some more below:
- Don't eat too fast: Avoid putting a second bite in your mouth before swallowing the previous one.
- It is not recommended to drink with a straw, since breathing in leads to swallowing more air.
- No Smoking: In addition to causing aerophagia, smoking can lead to poor digestion and gastrointestinal inflammation.
- Sitting calmly at the table and eat in a relaxing environment.
- chew calmly, carefully and with your mouth closed.
- drink leisurely and in small sips, avoiding drinks that are too hot or too cold.
- Eating in a comfortable position, but keeping the back straight to favor the descent of food into the stomach.
- Go for a walk 15 minutes after eating.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
