Join Our Mailing List
Get occasional updates on our latest developments and scientific discoveries. No spam. We promise.
So, if your brain experiences a state of stress, it can communicate that distress to your digestive system and trigger gut-based symptoms like cramping, bloating, or an upset stomach.
Stress can also alter your gut bacteria. These bacteria can affect your ability to think and regulate emotions, so sustained changes can impact your mood and vice versa.
Long-term stress and the impact it has on your gut can increase digestive tract sensitivity, which in turn can lead to chronic or exacerbated pain in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
Because of the connection between the gut and the brain, some gut-borne diseases may also spread to the brain.
Ways To Stop The Bloating
Once the air is in your system, the best way to get it out is to try to belch or release flatulence. Holding the air in will simply lead to further pain, and that pain will likely contribute to further anxiety and discomfort. Most gas caused by hyperventilation is scentless, so embarrassment should be less severe, but gas caused by indigestion can be highly scented so finding a bathroom may be in your best interests.
There are a few over the counter medications that can reduce the feeling of bloating, especially if it’s caused by indigestion. Some people find that Pepto-Bismol and other antacids provide some relief. The relief is only temporary, however, and may not affect those that experience bloating from air swallowing.
If you feel the bloating is occurring as a result of hyperventilation, you’ll also need to make sure that you’re not promoting further hyperventilation. While hyperventilating, the body has a tendency to want to breathe in more air, faster. Fight this feeling and try to slow down your breathing, resisting the urge to yawn a lot or breathe quickly.
The Link Between Gut Health And Mental Health
In the past, researchers believed that mental health issues could create problems within the digestive system. Those who were anxious or depressed were more likely to experience stomach or intestinal disturbances. Thus, the answer to can stress causes constipation or stomach pain is, yes.
However, more recent studies show that it could be the other way around: gut health may affect mental health. In fact, many scientists believe that all disease begins in the gut.
Also Check: How To Prevent Stress Sweat
The ‘fight Or Flight’ Response
The digestive system is particularly susceptible to stress as the CNS essentially shuts down or slows down gastrointestinal function via the ENS when there is a perceived threat. The body responds to stress by producing stress hormones which rapidly increase our physical and mental ability to deal with the dangerous situation. During this state of hyperarousal, processes such as digestion that aren’t essential for physical exertion are repressed in favour of those which focus on dealing with the stressor.
Blood flow to the gut, intestinal motility, intestinal permeability, digestive enzyme production and protective mucus secretion are all affected7 by stress. This is why anxiety and bloating often go hand in hand. When stressed and anxious, many experience sensations such as: butterflies in their stomach, nausea, a choked up feeling, trouble swallowing, indigestion, heartburn and perhaps even diarrhoea.
When the stress or danger that we are facing is short-lived, the stress response’s brief inhibition of digestion is of little concern as normal function returns once the perceived threat has passed. However, with chronic or ongoing stress the digestive system remains subdued, making it difficult to digest food effectively, predisposing not just the gut, but the entire body to problems8.
Can Stomach Flu Cause Bloating
About 25 percent of patients who get gastroenteritis, astomach infection, have bloating even after theillness clears. A small percentage of those may have small intestinalbacterial overgrowth .
Herein, how long does the stomach flu last?
Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptomsmay appear within one to three days after youre infected and canrange from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a dayor two, but occasionally they may persist as long as 10days.
One may also ask, how do you get rid of a bloated tummy? The following quick tips may help people to get rid of abloated belly quickly:
Beside this, why do I feel bloated all the time and my stomach enlarged?
It is usually caused by excess gas production ordisturbances in the movement of the muscles of the digestive system. Bloating can often cause pain, discomfort and astuffedfeeling. It can also make yourstomach look bigger . However, in some people, bloatingis caused mostly by increased sensitivity.
Can the stomach flu last a week?
But typically symptoms dont last longer than afew days. However, in some cases, the effects linger forweeks or months even after a person is no longervomiting or having severe symptoms after a bad bout with a virus orfood poisoning.
You May Like Also
You May Like: Does Stress Make You Tired
Should I See A Doctor If I Get Stomach Pains When I Am Stressed
You should be seeing your primary care physician at least once a year, and you should tell them if you often have stomach pain or GI discomfort.
If your primary care physician identifies symptoms of a chronic GI condition or other warning signs, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist like myself. A gastroenterologist can help determine if your stomach pain or GI symptoms are related to stress, or due to another condition that requires different treatment.
What Else You Can Do About Bloating
If eliminating or reducing consumption of hard-to-digest foods doesnât solve your frequent bloating problem, there are over-the-counter medications that might help. Look for a pill or liquid containing alpha-D-galactosidase, an enzyme that breaks down indigestible sugars in beans and vegetables. Tablets or capsules containing simethicone can also help alleviate symptoms of excess gas.
If you smoke, intestinal distress may be one more reason to quit. Smoking has been linked to bloating, heartburn, and other digestive problems.
Fortunately, bloating is rarely a symptom of serious trouble. For most people, the most effective prescription for bloating is simple: control portion sizes, go easy on fats, and eat slowly enough to give your body time to signal when youâve had enough. These sensible remedies should keep you from feeling overstuffed and bloated.
Show Sources
Grabitske, H. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition,âGastrointestinal Effects of Low-Digestible Carbohydrates,â 2009 vol 49: pp327-360.
Joanne L. Slavin, PhD, RD, professor of food science and nutrition,University of Minnesota.
American College of Gastroenterology:Belching, Bloating and Flatulence.
MedicineNet.com: Intestinal Gas .
You May Like: How Do You Know If You Have Stress
How Long Does A Bloated Stomach Last
If your bloating is due to something you ate or drank or to hormone fluctuations, it should begin to ease within a few hours to days. If you are constipated, it wont go down until you start pooping. Water, exercise and herbal teas can help encourage all of these things along. If it doesnt go away or gets worse, seek medical attention.
Remedies For Stomach Bloat
When it comes to bloating, you have two options to keep it in check: you can avoid foods and activities that trigger bloating, and you can intervene when you first notice your stomach feeling full or swollen. The good news is there are as many remedies for bloating as causes. Here are some remedies to try the next time you feel bloated.
Read Also: How To Practice Stress Management
The Many Ways Anxiety Causes Bloating
Bloating is actually a very common symptom of anxiety, especially for those with anxiety attacks. What’s interesting is that many different issues can cause bloating including, but not limited to:
- Hyperventilation The main reason that anxiety leads to bloating is the result of hyperventilation. Hyperventilation is when you take in more air than you need. Hyperventilation causes several additional anxiety symptoms, but both before and after hyperventilation it’s not uncommon to feel pressure in your stomach and possibly experience burping.
- General Air Breathing Similarly, even without hyperventilation, you may find that you start to over-breathe during anxiety attacks and swallow more oxygen than necessary, especially if you’re prone to swallowing during these attacks. Swallowing oxygen is known to bloat your stomach, and may lead to significant belching and stomach tension.
- Affected Digestion It’s also possible for anxiety to affect digestion. Anxiety shuts down a part of the brain that handles digesting food. Stress itself puts a great deal of pressure on your stomach and abdomen, and upsets hormone and neurotransmitter balance. That may create an environment where foods that could normally be digested easily end up being digested poorly, leading to the creation of gas and bloating.
These are some of the most common ways that anxiety creates bloating, and the reason that so many of those living with anxiety every day suffer from severe bloating symptoms.
Keep Your Gut Holly Jolly
While there are plenty of excuses to stress during the holidays, lets make a pact to tackle our stressors head on this year and make our health a priority.
Here are some tips to avoid stress and that holiday belly bloat this year:
1. Be Smart About Holiday Eating
While that extra piece of pumpkin pie and that second helping of jello salad might sound like a treat, you wont feel the same way when your plate is empty after the fact. Dont let the temptation of dessert after dessert get to you, keep your health and your gut in mind.
Try your best to plan ahead when it comes to holiday meals, whether that means creating a healthy dinner menu and inviting the family over or incorporating healthy foods into your dinner while out and about.
Pay attention to what youre putting into your body and how its making you feel. If you feel the belly bloat coming on, recognize the foods that trigger inflammation. And always be mindful of including the nutrients your gut needs to be happy and healthy.
2. Set Holiday Priorities
Before becoming overwhelmed by traveling, buying gifts, stuffing stockings, wrapping presents, sticking to traditions, and finding time to make an appetizer for this weekends holiday party, sit down and set priorities.
What activities do you enjoy? And which ones have to be done? Figure out whats important this year and what comes as a second priority.
3. Breathe
4. Do Something YOU Enjoy
5. Set Expectations And Boundaries
Kellie Lee
Recommended Reading: How To Help Relieve Stress
What Causes Bloating In The Stomach
Gas
Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, but too much intestinal gas means your digestion is gone awry. While you can ingest gasses by swallowing air or drinking carbonated beverages, these gasses mostly escape through belching before they reach your intestines. Gasses in your intestines are mostly produced by gut bacteria digesting carbohydrates, in a process called fermentation.
If theres too much fermentation going on, its because too many carbohydrates werent naturally absorbed earlier in the digestive process, before reaching those gut bacteria. That could be for several reasons. Maybe you just ate too much too fast for proper digestion. Or you might have a specific food intolerance or gastrointestinal disease. Some possible causes include:
Digestive Contents
These can include solids, liquids, and gas. Digestive contents can build up in your digestive system when there is a backup or restriction in your digestive tract or when the muscles that move digestive contents along are somehow impaired. Any build-up of digestive contents along the digestive tract will leave less room for normal amounts of gas to process through. It also leaves less room for other things in your abdomen, including circulatory fluids and fat, making everything feel tighter. Causes of build-up can include:
Hormones
Other Causes
In General What Conditions Do Gastroenterologists Treat
Gastroenterologists can evaluate for and treat a wide variety of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease , gastroesophageal reflux disease , celiac disease, peptic ulcer disease, obesity and more. GI doctors also routinely perform screenings for colon cancer.
My area of specialty is in prevention and early detection of cancers such as colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer. I enjoy helping patients, especially those with a family history, understand their risk for cancer while offering genetic testing, screening and more.
Overall, its important for patients to openly discuss stress and GI symptoms with their doctors. Primary care doctors can help manage stress and treat symptoms, but in some cases it may be necessary to see a gastroenterologist to evaluate for other conditions.
Don’t Miss: Can Stress Cause An Allergic Reaction
Avoid Rapid Weight Gain
Rapid weight gain is linked to bloating for several reasons.
First, a buildup of fat in your stomach area may constrain your bowels, increasing tension and contributing to bloating. Additionally, fat may have inflammatory effects, contributing to hypersensitivity in your gut .
Finally, unwanted weight gain may cause you to focus attention on your stomach area, which may increase your perception of bloating .
If you have overweight or obesity and are experiencing bloating, trying some healthy strategies for weight loss such as exercise and limiting portion sizes may be beneficial.
Summary
Rapid weight gain may contribute to bloating by increasing bowel tension, inflammation, and mental focus on your stomach area. Conversely, weight loss may help reduce these effects.
Read Also: Does Omeprazole Help With Bloating
How Holiday Stress Could Be Causing Your Seasonal Bloating
Pumpkin pies are being prepped, Thanksgiving plans are being made, and holiday shopping has begunthe holiday season is officially here!
With one holiday after another, shopping lists growing daily, family in town, and driving in the snowy and rainy weather, theres no doubt that the holidays are filled with fun and stress. Yes, families can be stressful and so can financial situations and lists full of this and that, but many of the things we put into our bodies during the holidays are stressors too.
Grandmas recipes, our favorite baked goods, and that nice bottle of wine youve been waiting to open are likely high in sugar, processed ingredients, and gut-busting chemicals that can lead to stress, inflammation, and feeling bloated during the holidays.
The holidays are supposed to be one of the most cozy, festive, and enjoyable times of the year, so dont let that unwanted holiday belly bloat ruin the fun. Lets talk about how you can manage those holiday stressors to keep your gut healthy and bloat-free this season.
Also Check: Can Stress Cause Gout Flare Up
Why Is My Stomach Bloated
The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
Can Stress Make Your Belly Bloat
In some people, stress slows down digestion, causing bloating, pain and constipation, while in others it speeds it up, causing diarrhoea and frequent trips to the loo. Some people lose their appetite completely. Stress can also worsen digestive conditions like stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
Read Also: Align Digestive Care Side Effects
Don’t Miss: What To Do If You Are Really Stressed
Gas And Gastrointestinal Problems
Most of the time, gas is no more than a minor annoyance.
However, gas occasionally produces intense pain that makes the entire abdomen feel full and tender. This pain can radiate to the back, causing back pain and bloating. Minor gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach viruses, may also cause intense gas pain.
Sometimes, GI issues can cause muscle pain. This can happen after straining to have a bowel movement or repeatedly vomiting.
Giving Up Prawns Eating Charcoal For Four Years Martha Tried Everything To Banish Her Bloat Then She Realised The Problem Wasn’t In Her Tummy But In Her Mind
19:51 EDT, 15 July 2012 | Updated:
Simply slim: Martha Alexander
To be offered a seat by a handsome man on a train is always nice except when its because he thinks youre pregnant when youre not.
The first time it happened I smiled politely and explained, to his mortification, that I wasnt expecting. Nowadays I just take the seat its less embarrassing for all concerned.
Its something that happens to me more than it should. Im a toned size 12, and at 5ft 9in tall I weigh 9st 8lbs but, as often as twice a week, my stomach mysteriously swells up like a beach ball.
My mid-section pops out and remains bulbous for a couple of days before shrinking to its normal state. I, like one in five of the female population, suffer from bloating. I can make light of it most of the time its not as if my symptoms are life- threatening but, like many women, I find bloating both exhausting and demoralising.
Its annoying to be so inflated that I cant even bend over to do up my shoelaces. Its irritating to have to dress to conceal I consistently buy clothes that are a couple of sizes too big, preferring to waft around in a teepee than endure straining buttons or other peoples judgement.
Body-con dresses and sexy pencil skirts are out I have one tight-fitting dress that I can only wear as a last-minute decision depending on how distended I look and Ill always take a billowing cardigan or boyfriend blazer to wear over the top just in case.
HAIR TESTING
COST: £45 .
HOMEOPATHY
You May Like: How To Not Be Stressed All The Time
