Daily Stress & Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Women today have a great deal of daily stress. Unfortunately, this stress can exacerbate conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects two times as many women as men in the United States each year.

Causes

• Stress and irritable bowel syndrome are linked: stress triggers IBS symptoms, and IBS symptoms trigger stress. Because of its connection with the nervous system, your colon responds to stress by spasming; diarrhea occurs when your digestive system spasms too much and too fast.

The Importance of Diet

• Diet plays a key role in managing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and controlling stress. Eat a diet high in fiber and low in sugar and caffeine, since sugar and caffeine can trigger IBS symptoms and exacerbate stress.

The Importance of Stress Management

• Coping with stress is key in controlling the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Meditation, medication or counseling can help you manage the mental causes of stress; regular exercise sessions may also help.

Considerations

• If your stress is severe, you may actually be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Constant anxiety coupled with fatigue, problems sleeping, irritability, heart palpitations, or muscle aches may indicate that you have generalized anxiety disorder; see a doctor for a diagnosis.

Warning

• Stress doesn't just complicate irritable bowel syndrome; it can also exacerbate ulcers, hypertension and lead to serious health complications. Manage your stress and seek treatment if your anxiety becomes severe.