Do you notice that you are nervous? Do you also suffer from abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, lack of appetite, or diarrhea? Nowadays, there is increasing interest in the effect of stress on the stomach and intestines. Arjan Bredenord, gastroenterologist and professor at Your motherIt tells all about abdominal complaints due to stress.
What does stomach pain due to stress look like?
Abdominal pain caused by stress can be felt differently by everyone. One person has nagging stomach pain, while the other feels a throbbing or stabbing pain, Bredenord says. “Your intestines squirm all day long.” It’s normal. But because stress makes your nerves more sensitive, you become more aware of those movements. This causes cramping pain for some people. Sometimes people also notice that stress makes them feel bloated more quickly. Perhaps heightened awareness plays a role here as well.
What are gastrointestinal complaints due to stress?
“Sometimes people feel like food doesn’t hold up to them,” Bredenord says. Appetite may also disappear. Other notorious complaints of stress are constipation or diarrhea. “Stress can cause irritation of the intestinal wall. One intestine responds to stress faster. Stress sometimes leads to diarrhea. The other intestine stiffens, for example, due to pain. This in turn leads to constipation,” says Bredenord.
What to do about stomach pain due to stress?
“Pain relief alone is often insufficient to combat stress-induced abdominal pain,” Bredenord explains. It is important to find out what is causing your stress. “This is why it may be helpful to seek psychological help. There are many therapists who can help you specifically with these types of complaints. In the meantime, you can try to reduce stress on your own.”
