Recognizing The Link Between Stomach Problems And Mental Health

JAKARTA - There are many things that can cause digestive problems so that your stomach always feels uncomfortable. In addition to eating wrong or a sign of certain diseases, mental health problems can also be the cause.

"The connection between stress and digestion is very strong. I have patients every week who have digestive symptoms related to stress and anxiety. The most common symptoms are constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, and reflux heartburn," says Nicole Beurkens, Ph.D. ., a licensed psychologist and nutritionist, so the bottom line is that any health problem can cause problems with your stomach.

A strong reason this can happen is because of the gut-brain-axis relationship and the microbiome or the collection of bacteria that live in your digestive tract. Nicole explains, the gut and the brain go both ways and when the brain starts to come under stress, the gut responds with an increase in bacteria that becomes unbalanced, leading to changes in the function of neurotransmitters (chemicals in the body) and ultimately increasing stress and anxiety in the brain. .

Andrea Shin, MD, a gastroenterologist, also says that impaired mental health can lead to inflammation and even change the way the stomach digests food and digests various nutrients. "When stressed or anxious, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, which causes the intestines to become more tense and cause cramping, diarrhea or constipation," he says.

To overcome this, Dr. Andrea suggests taking care of yourself emotionally which is one quick way to better digestion. Combining physical exercise, meditation, and healthy eating habits can be very useful. Nicole adds, getting a good night's sleep that supports gut health and mental health, and reducing your intake of caffeine, fatty foods, dairy products, processed foods and drinks, while increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables and whole grains, can also help.