Ever felt your stomach rumble when you are very worried about something? That is not an aberration.
Stress is not just for the brain; it often manifests physically in the stomach as well, according to gastroenterologist Dr Vineer Kumar Gupta.
In an interaction with HT Lifestyle, Dr Gupta highlighted that stomach distress is very common for those experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, emotional strain, or poor sleep. Some symptoms related to a distressed stomach include bloating, acidity, stomach cramps, constipation, and diarrhoea. The gastroenterologist explained that a stress response puts a person in a fight-or-flight state and increases their alertness. This heightened state can disrupt the normal motility of the digestive tract. Stress can also increase a person’s sensitivity to their normal sensations of being full, and the movement within their stomach can be perceived as fullness, discomfort, pressure, or even pain in some cases, pointed out Dr Gupta.
“Food can travel more quickly through the intestines, resulting in a faster-acting digestion and faster BMs (bowel movements) or loose stools in some people, or delayed digestion resulting in constipation in others,” he stated.
“Regular diet, ensuring you eat food at a specific time, eating habits, adequate sleep and physical exercise are some simple home remedies which can indeed help to improve your digestion and your overall stomach conditions,” continued the doctor. “Basic stress busters like going on regular walks, breathing exercises and yoga, spending a little time in nature, and some alone time will also be quite beneficial.”
