Gut Brain Axis and Mental Health: How Stress Causes Digestive Issues

When we eat food, it enters the mouth and goes to the oral cavity, where we chew it. After chewing, the food passes through the esophagus and into the stomach, which is like a bag. 

After the stomach, we have two intestines: the small intestine and the large intestine. The last part of our digestive tract is the rectum and anus, where the waste is expelled.

Now, let’s discuss the relationship between gut brain axis and mental health:

You will be surprised to know that psychological issues can cause esophageal problems, psychological issues can cause stomach problems, and even small and large intestine problems can be caused by psychological issues.

What is the connection between the Gut and psychological problems?

It is scientifically proven that when someone is stressed, depressed, anxious, or under too much pressure, the brain releases certain chemicals. These chemicals can cause changes in the gut.

Additionally, a nerve connects the esophagus with the brain, so when you are under a lot of pressure, it can affect your entire gut system.

What problems can occur when our brain is disturbed?

Our esophagus’s starting and ending parts have two sphincters, like rubber bands. When we eat food, the sphincter on the upper side controls the food and ensures it doesn’t enter the trachea. 

The lower sphincter opens automatically when food comes to the esophagus, allowing the food to pass into the stomach. 

After eating, the sphincter tightens automatically to prevent food from moving back up. This is how the sphincters usually work. 

But when a person is under a lot of pressure, the lower sphincter, which connects the esophagus to the stomach, becomes looser than before. 

When it becomes loose, the food in the stomach can move back up to the esophagus, causing the sphincter not to work correctly. If food moves up into the esophagus, it can cause heartburn, acidity, esophageal pain, and chest pain. 

When someone is under a lot of pressure, their esophagus may start abnormal contractions and dilations, leading to chest pain and the sensation that something is stuck in their throat. These symptoms can occur when your mental health is disturbed. 

However, it is essential to note that these problems can also occur due to physical issues. If you experience these symptoms, consult a gastroenterologist first and follow their advice. 

If the problem does not resolve, consider that it may be related to your mental health. Another problem in the esophagus is functional dysphagia, where there is a delay in food passing through the esophagus.

Now, let’s discuss what happens or what problems we may face in our stomachs if our mental health is not good.

Did you know that excessive tension can increase the rate of ulcers or sores in your stomach? We know that eating unhealthy food can cause ulcers, but this can happen more easily when you are under a lot of mental pressure.

How can mental pressure cause problems in the stomach?

In our stomach, an acid called hydrochloric acid is released. This acid is very potent and helps digest food properly, as well as kill harmful bacteria in the stomach. It helps maintain good gut health.

When pressure increases, this acid can either decrease or increase, leading to improper digestion and an increased risk of ulcers and sores in the stomach. 

Excessive tension can also weaken our immune system, allowing harmful bacteria to grow in our stomachs. The bacteria known as H. pylori is the main cause of ulcers and sores in the stomach. usually, stomach acid can kill this bacteria, but when the acid levels decrease, H. pylori can grow in the gut. 

The muscles in our stomach also contract and expand less effectively when we are under mental pressure, leading to improper digestion. 

As a result, after eating, we may feel that our stomach is full. If ulcers are present, you may feel pain after eating. Some patients report having excessive gas in the stomach, but after testing, the doctor confirms that it is caused by mental pressure.

How does mental pressure affect our intestines?

Our gut has two intestines: the small intestine and the large intestine. These intestines can also be affected by mental pressure.

The intestines typically push and pull food down, but with poor mental health, the motility in the large and small intestines can increase or decrease, leading to various diseases. 

One of these diseases is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). IBS patients feel very irritated, experience abnormal pain, go to the toilet several times a day, and often feel that their stomach is not fully emptied. 

They may go to the bathroom 3 to 4 times in the morning and feel tired afterward. Sometimes, they experience diarrhea, and other times constipation. 

The main cause of this disease is mental illness. While these symptoms can be due to physical illness, many cases are related to mental illness. 

Patients should undergo physical testing as directed by their doctor, and if the tests are normal,  the problem is likely related to mental health.

Psychogenic vomiting:

Another issue is psychogenic vomiting. When someone is under a lot of stress or pressure, they may feel the urge to vomit. 

I know some people who feel like vomiting before exams or during serious situations because they feel so much pressure. This is called psychogenic vomiting, and it also occurs due to mental illness.

How does mental pressure affect our rectum?

The rectum can also be affected by mental illness, leading to problems such as constipation. 

Constipation can occur due to physical issues, eating unhealthy food, or taking certain medications, but it can also be caused by mental illness. 

Functional dyschezia, which involves pain while going to the toilet, can also be caused by mental illness. Although these problems can occur for physical reasons, they are often related to mental illness.

Treatment:

These problems are not easy to solve by taking medication alone. Those suffering from these types of issues should see a psychiatrist. 

The psychiatrist will take a proper history, including what they have done before, what medications they are taking, whether they have any allergies, which medications have worked for them in the past, and what tests they have undergone. 

After gathering all this information, they will provide the proper suggestions. The primary treatment for these diseases is to address the underlying mental illness causing the problem, as there are many aspects to mental illness. 

While medication can help with these diseases, sometimes psychiatrists advise psychotherapy as well.

In conclusion, take care of your mind. Listen to what your mind is saying. Engage in physical activities to refresh your mind. You Also can do Quick relaxation techniques for anxiety, It will help you to relieve from stress and improve your mental health.