Stress-Related Stomach Pain: How Anxiety Affects Gut Health

 5 mins 30 secs

Topics

  • Stress and Anxiety

We’ve all been there: the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, you’re out and about listening to your favorite song through your headphones, when all of a sudden, you’re stopped in your tracks. Your belly’s tied in knots. You want to collapse. The pain is so dull and deep that instantly you are questioning the very meaning of life. You’ve got abdominal cramping.

Stress

Despite the horrific pain, there are times when these debilitating cramps are not caused by an actual disease1. In these cases, cramps are grouped together under the phrase “functional abdominal cramping pain” (FACP). But what are the causes and symptoms of this condition, and what can you do about it?

In this article, we shed light on this… knotty topic, because when you understand what’s causing your abdominal cramps, low and behold, it becomes a lot easier to treat them.

Stomach Pain Caused by Stress and Anxiety

Do you find that certain stressful situations bring on abdominal pain? You are not alone. Stress-related abdominal cramping is linked to the release of ‘fight-or-flight’ hormones, cortisol and adrenalin.

The ‘fight or flight’ response causes blood to be directed away from your gut towards your brain and muscle tissue; when this happens, you may experience sudden abdominal pain or diarrhea.

When this stress response is left unmanaged it can cause elevated levels of cortisol in the body. High cortisol levels can contribute towards the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms such as excess acid secretion, which may then contribute towards acid reflux or dyspepsia (‘indigestion’).

The Gut-Brain Axis

Physicians are also beginning to understand the direct connection between the brain and the gut1. This ‘gut-brain axis’ is a superhighway consisting of the vagus nerve,1 which runs from the brain to the gut, where nerve signals are sent and received. Communication also occurs via a series of hormones1 and other chemicals, some of which are released8 by gut bacteria, aka. the microbiota.

Because gut stress affects your whole body, this two-way network is essential for healthy body functioning, but sometimes things get out of balance. Emotions linked to stress can cause problems in the gut,1 while problems in the gut can lead to imbalances that eventually affect the brain.10

Look out for these symptoms of an imbalanced gut-brain connection:

  • Heartburn or acid regurgitation1, 4
  • Chronic pain relating to eating (dyspepsia) 1
  • Feeling uncomfortably full during or after a meal, gastric pain or burning1,5
  • Bloating and/or cramping (which may be relieved by defecation)1, 5
  • Abdominal pain associated with constipation or diarrhea1, 5
  • Lower abdominal pain linked to bloody diarrhea (i.e., symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease)1, 10

If these problems are not treated, there can be long-term health consequences,1 such as increased sensitivity to abdominal pain.1

Dealing with Stress-Related Abdominal Pain

Now that you know what may be causing your abdominal pain, here are some ways you can deal with it.

Antispasmodics

Antispasmodics can be useful in the relief of abdominal pain linked to stress because they relax the spasms and cramps at the source of the pain.

Hyoscine-n-butylbromide (Buscopan®) concentrates in the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal wall,3 relaxing the spasm to provide rapid pain relief.3 These lactose and gluten-free tablets come in small form and are easy to swallow.3

Hyoscine-n-butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan® Plus) is available for intense abdominal pain and cramps.3

For women experiencing menstrual pain, Hyoscine-n-butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan® Venus) is a possible relief for abdominal pain and cramps.3

Buscopan® are well tolerated and has been used to treat abdominal pain for over 70 years.3

Natural Treatment Options

Peppermint oil is a gentle, natural remedy that can provide relief from abdominal pain symptoms.2

Gastrointestinal symptoms can often be helped by simple lifestyle changes.

Quit Smoking

Smoking6 can cause the sphincter muscle (or valve) that controls the lower end of the esophagus to relax too much, allowing acid to travel in the wrong direction. This is known as acid reflux, and it can be made worse by anxiety. Smoking has also been linked to inflammatory gut conditions, as well as many other health problems, so there are many reasons to quit as fast as you can.

Mind Your Eating / Drinking Habits

Drinking alcohol can cause acid-related digestive disorders by increasing acid production in your stomach, which can cause heartburn and aggravate other digestive symptoms.6

Try to get more fiber in your diet.7 Examples of high-fiber foods include porridge oats, brown rice, raisin bran, lentils, split peas, kidney beans, fruit (e.g., pears, apples with skins on) and vegetables (e.g., peas, sweet potato). 7

Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you're overweight, excess abdominal fat can put pressure on your stomach and intestines.11 This may contribute to symptoms such as upper abdominal pain and reflux11 and may also cause diverticular formation11 (small bulges or pockets that can develop in the wall of the intestine, which may become inflamed).

What is the ‘3-3-3 Rule’ for Anxiety?

You may also wish to consider using the ‘3-3-3 rule’ when dealing with your anxiety. This simple exercise can help to focus your mind on the present and stop you from worrying about things that may, or may not, happen in the future. 4

The next time you are feeling anxious try looking around your current environment and:4

  • Name 3 things you can see
  • Name 3 sounds you can hear
  • Touch/move 3 things, e.g. your limbs or external objects

Don’t let belly pain hold you back.

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Find your Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®)

Buscopan Mono Product

Hyoscine N-butylbromide (Buscopan®)
  • Mild to Moderate Pain
  • Adults and children 6+
  • Tablets
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Buscopan Venus Product

Hyoscine N-butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan® Venus)
  • Mild to Strong Dysmenorrhea
  • Adults and children +10
  • Tablets
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Buscopan Plus Product

Hyoscine N-butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan® Plus)
  • Strong pain
  • Adults and children +10
  • Tablets
See details
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