All About WOMEN: Your Gut/Stress Connection

All About WOMEN: Your Gut/Stress Connection

Stress gives some women migraines. Others get continual colds. But irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Indeed. A new study reveals that feeling stressed-out could be a risk factor for developing IBS, a condition that plagues millions of women, causing constipation, diarrhea, or both. Here's how to keep stress from taking hold of your bathroom habits. (see below)

Not the Cause

Stress doesn't cause IBS. It's actually not clear what does. Researchers suspect that a viral infection (aka gastroenteritis) may trigger IBS in some cases. Once it's triggered, stress may cause IBS to hang around and become more than just an occasional nuisance. In a study, women who suffered a bout of gastroenteritis were more likely to report IBS months later if their initial patient profile revealed a tendency to feel stressed-out. In other words, a stressful life could be a risk factor for developing IBS.

Get a Handle

So now you have a new reason to chill out: more predictable bowel habits. There are lots of ways to relax. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a very effective stress-reduction tool -- particularly for IBS sufferers. (Get the scoop on this and other mental health therapies.) But if you prefer something less structured, grab a pen. Journal writing is a known stress reliever. And, of course, if you are showing these signs of stress, take a look at the life you lead and figure out where you can cut back.

Stress

What is stress? Stress is when life's demands seem too heavy. You feel anxious and tense and may be aware that your heart is beating faster. A certain amount of stress in our lives is unavoidable and a little may even be good for us. For example, some people claim they can accomplish more if they have a work deadline. Too much stress, however, is harmful. Your body responds to stressful situations by raising your blood pressure and making your heart work harder. This is particularly dangerous if you already have heart or artery disease or high blood pressure. Stress is more likely to be harmful if you feel helpless to affect the problem or situation. Your body reacts to stress in other ways, too. Symptoms like back pain, trouble sleeping, headaches, muscle aches, heartburn, upset stomach, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, and weight gain or weight loss are often caused in part by stress. Many office visits to health care providers are for conditions related to stress. How does it occur? Anything you see as a problem can cause stress for you. Different things may cause stress for other people. Stress can be caused by everyday matters as well as by major problems.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include: difficulty sleeping, tiredness, aches, pains, heartburn, indigestion, change in bowel and bladder habits,· anxiety, tension, depression, a increased use of cigarettes or alcohol. Could your GI symptoms be IBS? Use this symptom checker and find out.

RealAge Benefit: Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your RealAge up to 16 years younger. RealAge Gastrointestinal (GI) Health Assessment Abdominal cramping and bloating, constipation, and diarrhea could be symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or simply a result of something you ate. Get to the bottom of your gastrointestinal discomforts by taking this free questionnaire. You will learn: What might be causing your gastrointestinal distress. How to treat your symptoms at home. Which symptoms mean you should call the doctor.

RealAge Smart Search: Find more ways to soothe stress with RealAge Smart Search. Originally published on 08/29/2007.

What we do in this life echoes in eternity.