Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, can result in painful GI symptoms that can affect your life. Several factors can trigger symptoms, and one of them is stress. It’s important to understand how mental health can affect IBS. The gastroenterologists at Digestive Medicine Associates provide comprehensive gastrointestinal services, including diagnosis, treatment, and management of irritable bowel syndrome. They have several convenient office locations in Hialeah, Coral Gables, Kendall, and Pembroke Pines, FL.
How Stress Can Affect Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS
IBS affects the large intestine and is thought to be caused by improper functioning of the nerves in your gastrointestinal system. IBS causes the nerves regulating movement of the GI tract’s small muscles to not function correctly. Poor functioning of these nerves causes foods to back up in the intestine, so they don’t pass smoothly through your body.
Stress affects IBS symptoms because of the communication pathways between the brain and the GI system, a complex system known as the gut-brain axis. Stress hormones are released, and they affect how the gut functions. Common GI symptoms experienced due to stress can include:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Intestinal and stomach pain
If you are affected by IBS, learning to manage stress is important. These are some helpful tips to limit IBS symptoms:
- Practice stress management, including meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises
- Seek out counseling to help manage stress through therapy
- Eat a healthy diet and avoid consuming fruits, milk, fatty foods, chocolate, spices, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, beans, carbonated beverages, and alcohol
- Have a set sleep schedule to help ensure you get at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night
- Get regular exercise of at least 30 minutes on most days of the week
Your gastroenterologist can also help you get relief from the symptoms of IBS and may recommend:
- Antibiotics
- Fiber supplements
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Medications to limit intestinal spasms and promote fluid secretion to pass stools more easily
Want To Know More About Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
To find out more about stress and IBS and how mental health matters in digestive wellness, call the gastroenterologists of Digestive Medicine Associates. You can reach them in their offices in Hialeah, Coral Gables, Kendall, and Pembroke Pines, FL, by calling (305) 822-4107, so call today.
