How Stress Affects Digestion and What You Can Do About It?

Stress is almost unavoidable and affects your mood significantly. But, do you know about its negative effect on your digestive system? People who often experience stress report other issues, such as indigestion and bloating. Sometimes, extreme stress leads to irritable bowel syndrome. You must not delay a consultation with a gastroenterologist. However, it is important to understand how stress leads to digestive problems. You should also learn about the ways to manage this condition. How is Digestion Related to Stress? Your brain and gut health have a close connection. So, stress or other psychological impact may lead to digestive disorders. A Slower Digestive Process When you feel stressed, your physiological system prioritizes major activities for survival. For instance, your respiration and heart rate will increase. It will ultimately slow down digestion and cause symptoms like nausea and bloating. Higher Acid Production Your stomach will produce more acid if you are under stress. It increases the risk of heartburn and other similar conditions. Issues With Gut Microbiota People experiencing chronic stress have a risk of imbalanced gut bacteria. It weakens their immunity, which leads to various digestive conditions. Higher Gut Sensitivity Your digestive system becomes more sensitive due to stress. The digestive complications will make you feel stomach discomfort.  How Would You Manage Stress and Digestive Issues? If you already have a digestion problem, consult a gastroenterologist in Bharuch. But, to prevent stress-related gut issues, check for a few tips. Quality Sleep is Vital Sleep is the most significant factor in stress management and recovery. Lack of sleep will worsen digestive issues and increase stress. That is why you must have sound sleep every night.  Add Prebiotics and Probiotics Probiotics are beneficial bacteria present in yoghurt and kimchi. These foods restore your gut bacteria balance and maintain your digestion. On the contrary, prebiotics can improve the power of these bacteria. They are found in garlic, bananas, and several other foods.  Eat More Fibre-rich Food Fiber content in foods benefits your gut health and facilitates digestion. Thus, your daily meals should contain more legumes and fruits like apples and carrots. Soluble fibre will control your digestion and soothe your stomach. Control Alcohol and Caffeine Intake Alcohol and caffeine affect your gut lining and make your digestive issues more complicated. If you still consume these substances, maintain moderation. You can drink herbal tea to stay safe.  Limit Sugary and Processed Foods Sugary items and processed food increase harmful bacteria in your gut. Gut inflammation will cause discomfort and other digestive issues.  Practice Relaxation Techniques Relaxation techniques are highly effective for stress management. So, you have to do meditation and breathing exercises that alleviate your stress. Regular yoga will also help you remove your stressful thoughts. Choosing Gut-friendly Food for Your Stressful Lifestyle Yoghurt and sliced bananas are the best choices for your breakfast. You may also add a few chia seeds to your food. For lunch, you should eat something that contains healthy fats. Roasted veggies and mixed greens are healthy for your gut. If you love evening snacks, eat some walnuts. You may include soybeans and spinach in your dinner. So, you have to choose foods carefully to avoid digestive problems. But, it is essential to control stress in your daily life. Your Next Step Toward Better Digestive Health At Apex Multispeciality Hospital, we have a team of certified and experienced gastroenterologists. They identify the main cause of your digestive problems and provide the best treatment. You can also meet other experts to reduce your stress. Our multispeciality hospital in Bharuch has different specialists who treat various conditions.

Common Digestive Problems: When to See a Gastroenterologist?

Abdominal discomfort, nausea, and bloating are a few signs of digestive problems. Some people try to reduce symptoms with home remedies. However, severe digestive disorders need medical attention to be restored to your health. A certified gastroenterologist diagnoses the condition and prescribes the best medication to alleviate symptoms. Some digestive issues may become life-threatening if you do not start early treatment. In this blog, we will discuss the common digestive diseases that need a consultation with gastroenterologists. Common Digestive Disorders That Require Medical Attention Severe Heartburn Frequent heartburn is not a big concern as it is manageable at home. However, if your heartburn symptoms appear multiple times a week, you must consult a specialist. It indicates the lining of your esophagus has become damaged. Chronic acid reflux will not disappear naturally. That is why medical experts will evaluate the condition and try to find the cause of the issue. Difficulty Swallowing If you experience trouble swallowing persistently, contact a specialist for treatment. You may also feel a lump in the throat. Some people report frequent swelling and pain in their throats. These symptoms denote that you have weak esophagus muscles and damaged esophagus. For this reason, liquids and foods cannot pass through the esophagus to reach the stomach. Most gastroenterologists conduct upper endoscopy to make a proper diagnosis. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Any issues with your large intestine lead to IBS. This chronic condition needs long-term medical treatment. Some common signs of IBS are gas and bloating. You may also feel abdominal pain due to IBS. In most cases, diet and lifestyle management help you reduce the issues. However, a few IBS patients experience severe symptoms. You should eat food rich in soluble fiber to avoid IBS. Make sure the food contains a minimal quantity of fermentable disaccharides. You will get more diet tips from your Gastroenterologist. Pale Stools Light-colored stool is a common issue, and it naturally turns to its normal color. However, if the problem is not solved naturally, speak to your specialist. Sometimes, gallbladder diseases and liver problems cause the same symptoms. Giardiasis is an infectious condition caused by contaminated drinking water. What’s more, pancreas diseases make your stools look pale. Biliary cirrhosis is another inflammatory condition, which obstructs the liver’s bile ducts and affects the stool’s color. Celiac Disease If you have ingested gluten, it damages the small intestine and causes the autoimmune disorder, known as celiac disease. This disease affects nutrient absorption and leads to different symptoms, such as bloating and fatigue. People whose family history has celiac disease are at risk of experiencing the same symptoms. A gastroenterologist conducts tests to check the disease and recommends a gluten-free diet.  Peptic Ulcers If your stomach’s inner lining has open sores, they refer to peptic ulcers. Helicobacter pylori bacteria can cause this infectious condition. Bloating and nausea are common symptoms of peptic ulcers. There is also a risk of dark ulcers if you have this disease. You must not overlook this condition, as it may cause serious implications. Different factors increase the risk of experiencing peptic ulcers. For instance, those who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a prolonged period have peptic ulcers. So, contact a gastroenterologist to treat the condition. A blood test will allow the expert to detect the digestive disease. Visit Apex Multispeciality Hospital for Gastroenterological Treatments Apex Multispeciality Hospital has the best gastroenterologists in Bharuch to treat digestive disorders. Visit our facility and meet the expert to start early treatment. We have advanced equipment for lab tests, which are essential for accurate diagnosis. You can also meet other specialists who treat different health conditions.