Scientists have many different theories about why anxiety causes an upset stomach. One of the key beliefs is that anxiety causes changes in neurotransmitter function, particularly serotonin. There are serotonin (and other neurotransmitter) receptors in the gut, and so when your body is experiencing anxiety, it's likely receiving chemicals that tell it to respond with that upset feeling.
Other causes include:
The way stress affects your body is so unique to each individual that it can be hard to track exactly what it's doing to any given person. It may be that anxiety changes the way your body processes nutrients, leading to stomach upset. It may also be that when your immune system is weak from stress, germs that are present in your stomach bother your immune system more.
All of these are potential issues that lead to problems with your stomach during periods of stress.
Stomach upset can really put a damper on your ability to live a happy life. Ideally, you'll need to treat your anxiety to experience a calmer stomach.
Even though anxiety is causing your stomach to feel sick, many of the symptoms can be reduced with various medications. You should always consult with a doctor before taking medication and do not want to rely on medication to “cure” your upset stomach. However, many people have had success with basic medications that calm the stomach. Common examples include:
Eating healthier can also help. Remember that your anxiety is affecting your gut, but it's not causing the symptoms all on its own. What's in your stomach has an effect on the severity of the symptoms as well. Eating healthier - especially on days you expect to experience anxiety - can be very helpful. Drinking water may also be useful since water is gentle on the stomach.
You may also try distracting yourself. While your upset stomach may be severe, anxiety causes a tendency to focus on the experience, which causes further anxiety and exacerbates the severity of the stomach pain. A positive distraction, like a funny TV show, can actually make a big difference in the way you experience your upset stomach.
Finally, you'll need to prevent your anxiety so that you don't experience frequent gastrointestinal distress. You can do this through therapy, medication, self-help, meditation, sports, and more - all of which are highly effective at decreasing anxiety when completed correctly. Once your anxiety decreases, your stomach upset should decrease with it in both frequency and severity.
Summary:
The upset stomach is a common anxiety symptom, caused by issues that include stomach tension, digestion changes, and adrenaline. They can be treated with some traditional over-the-counter stomach medications, but unless an individual treats their anxiety, these stomach issues are likely to return.
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