Stress Can Severely Damage Your Digestive System, Reduce Blood And Oxygen Flow To Stomach
In recent years, problems related to digestion have been on a constant rise among people of different age groups. According to a recent study, almost 56% of Indian families reported dealing with some form of digestive health issue. However, in recent years, it has also been seen that stress has a direct impact on digestion that disrupts its proper functioning. Although the human body is designed in a way to handle a particular amount of stress at a time, when the stress becomes chronic in nature, it impacts other major organs, including the digestive system. There is a direct link between the brain and the digestive system as the central nervous system controls its functioning. The digestive system is often referred to as the second brain as it has its own network of neurons that are known as the enteric or intrinsic nervous system.
Speaking to TheHealthSite.com, Dr. Ksheetij Kothari, Consultant -Medical Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospitals, Kharadi, Pune, said that when a person is stressed, the brain activates the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body to deal with any imminent threats by preserving functions that are not immediately required for survival. This even includes the functions of the digestive system. This includes delay in digestion, stomachache, indigestion, and slow bowel movement. In some cases, it can also cause heartburn and nausea that can become worse after eating. In more severe cases, stress may reduce blood flow and oxygen to the stomach, resulting in cramping, inflammation, or a bacterial imbalance in the gut. Some other gastrointestinal disorders that are caused by stress include: