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IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or irritable bowel syndrome causes disturbed bowel work. This condition occurs due to damage to the intestinal system of work. Even so, IBS did not show any tissue damage in the intestine. Stress and anxiety are known triggers for IBS symptoms. However, why is that?
Stress and anxiety can make IBS worse
Stress and anxiety are part of the body's response. Both occur when you feel insecure or in danger. However, this is not only related to life-threatening situations as the various challenges you face every day, such as school exams or employee assessments can also trigger them.
For some people, stress and anxiety can be resolved without a problem. However, this is different from people who have IBS.
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) indicates damage to the intestinal system, causing various digestive problems. It turns out, stress and anxiety can trigger the symptoms of IBS, and even make the condition worse.
A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology explains the link between IBS and stress and anxiety.
The brain and nerves simultaneously control the body and this is called the central nervous system. This system is divided into two, one of which is the sympathetic nervous system. This system activates when you are feeling stressed or anxious and stimulates the release of hormones that can increase your heart rate and pump more blood to your muscles.
This activation of the sympathetic system can also slow or even stop the digestive process. As a result, IBS patients who are anxious and stressed will experience disturbances in the balance between the brain and the intestines.
The intestines can become very active, causing diarrhea. It can also be the other way around, becoming slower, causing difficulty defecating. These two digestive problems later trigger and exacerbate common symptoms of IBS, including alternating diarrhea or constipation, stomach cramps and bloating.
Stress and anxiety in people with IBS also release a lot of the hormone corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). This hormone can activate the body's immune response. If the levels are excessive, the immune system's response to food becomes excessive, which often causes allergic reactions.
In people without IBS, chronic stress can cause the bacteria in the gut to become imbalanced. This condition is also called dysbiosis and can increase the risk of IBS later in life.
Tips for dealing with stress in people with IBS
IBS is not cured, but you can prevent the symptoms from appearing as well as the severity of the condition. To do this, follow the IBS treatment recommended by a doctor, such as taking the anti-diarrheal drug loperamide, fiber supplements, pregabalin pain relievers, and other drugs.
In addition, doctors also ask you to avoid foods that contain caffeine, alcohol, gluten, and sugars. You also need to be able to control stress and anxiety so that IBS does not recur. Here are some steps you can take to reduce stress and anxiety, including:
- Learn relaxation breathing and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and exercise.
- Doing activities that you enjoy or that can divert your concentration from stress, such as reading, painting, playing a musical instrument, or watching a movie.
- Consult a psychologist if you are having trouble coping.
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