Chronic stress causes symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

Stress is one of the most common ailments in today’s society, negatively impacting our physical and mental health. One clear piece of evidence for this is the link between chronic stress and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this article, we will look at this phenomenon and find out why unpleasant IBS symptoms do not always go hand in hand with intestinal damage.

Stress is linked to ibs symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic disease that manifests itself with abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation. Although it is not a life-threatening condition, it can significantly reduce the quality of life of patients. Research shows that stress may be one of the main factors that causes or worsens IBS symptoms.

When the body is exposed to long-term stress, it releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals negatively impact intestinal function, leading to excessive contraction of intestinal muscles, which can worsen abdominal pain and other symptoms of IBS.

Unpleasant symptoms do not go hand in hand with intestinal damage

An interesting aspect of IBS is that it is not always accompanied by any visible damage to the intestines. Unlike other intestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, IBS is not associated with characteristic changes in intestinal tissue.

This means that despite bothersome symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence and irregular bowel movements, imaging or endoscopic tests do not show structural damage to the intestines. This is frustrating for both patients and doctors because the lack of visible changes makes the diagnosis of IBS difficult to make.

Where do the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome come from?

Despite the lack of intestinal damage, IBS symptoms are very real and affect patients’ daily functioning. So where do these ailments come from?

There are indications that the answer lies in a complex regulatory mechanism between the brain and the gut, known as the gut-brain axis. This axis enables communication between the gut and the brain, which affects intestinal function and pain perception.

During stress, the brain sends signals to the intestines that can lead to overactivation of intestinal muscles and increased sensitivity to pain. In addition, stress may affect the composition of the intestinal microflora, which may also contribute to the severity of IBS symptoms.

Your suggestions

If you suffer from symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or frequently experience stress, there are ways to relieve these symptoms. Here are some suggestions:

• Manage stress through relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing.
• Eat a healthy diet high in fiber and avoid potentially irritating foods.
• Regularly engage in physical activity, which can improve intestinal peristalsis.
• Consult your doctor to determine the best drug treatment or diet.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about irritable bowel syndrome, stress and a healthy lifestyle, we recommend reading the following articles:

• “How to deal with stress: Practical tips”
• “The role of diet in alleviating IBS symptoms”
• “Healthy gut, healthy life: How to take care of your intestinal microflora”

The conclusion is that chronic stress may have a significant impact on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, although it is not associated with visible intestinal damage. Therefore, it is important that both patients and physicians are aware of this link and take appropriate steps to manage stress and alleviate the symptoms of IBS.