How Is Stress Related to IBS?
Post date: May 1st, 2006Those people who are suffering from symptoms of IBS may have heard that stress is a strong factor that can cause or is related to IBS. Learning about the relationship between stress and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, can give you new options to assist with its treatment and control if not cure.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is known as a syndrome that affects the system between the brain and the gut. This means that particular nerves from the brain link to the abdomen area where the pain is occurring. It is also directly linked to the colon. Because of this link, stress can be directly related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome due to the reactions in the intestinal tract.
However it is important that you realize stress is not a direct cause for IBS. Most doctors believe that Irritable Bowel syndrome, although related to stress, is not a direct outcome from stressful events. Stress is simply a common cause for the body to become irritated in certain areas and thus trigger IBS.
One of the reasons why stress is related to IBS is due to colonic spasms. Because the colon is part of the response in the nervous system, it can relate directly to being out of control when anxiety or stress plays a role in your life. If you are under a lot of pressure for some reason, you may note that your IBS symptoms will become stronger and you may have a strong urge to go to the toilet to defecate as you start with stomach cramps.
Finding ways to relieve your stress will also help in the calming of your gastrointestinal tract. There are many people who do this by making sure that they relax at certain points of the day in order to prevent their IBS from flaring up. Some people obtain psychological therapy or begin taking anti-depressant pills to reduce their stress levels. This will help them control their emotions and stress, so their Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not take over their life.
Another type of stress that may be related to IBS is the stress that is already in the intestinal and colon area. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is known to be a muscle spasm that results from tension. Finding ways to relax your body through physical exercise or other forms of physical care will assist this type of stress to be lowered. Many people suffering from IBS find their stress levels are alleviated by stretching their body as it allows the muscles to relax in that area.
If you have emotional, mental or physical stress, it can have a ‘knock on’ effect to IBS. Whilst it does not directly cause the symptoms or the reaction from the body, it is known to play an important role.
Lowering your anxiety levels, physically, mentally and emotionally will alleviate your IBS symptoms. Because IBS involves the nervous link between the brain and the gut, the stresses in daily life can often affect how our body reacts.
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