Stress can actually make constipation! Why is that?

When constipation, aka constipation, occurs, many people feel grumpy and uncomfortable, of course. Yes, usually, the cause of constipation comes from the wrong diet, lack of rest, lack of drinking, or due to pregnancy factors. But sometimes, you may still experience constipation, even though you have had enough rest and haven't eaten anything weird. It could be because you are stressed. In fact, why does stress make you constipated? Find out through the following reviews.

Why does stress make you constipated?

Constipation is a condition when bowel movements tend to slow down, making it difficult for you to have a bowel movement for long periods. According to WebMD, a person is said to be constipated if the frequency of bowel movements is less than 3 times a week. Although indeed, the conditions can vary from person to person.

Constipation makes stress generally due to lack of consumption of fibrous foods, lack of drinking, or pregnancy conditions. However, if you have maintained a diet and get enough rest but are still constipated, you may be under stress.

Try to remember again, have you recently been having a problem that weighs on your mind? Whether it's because of being chased deadline , facing a test, or maybe just got into a fight with your partner? Well, if so, then this could be the cause of your constipation.

Most of your body's organ systems are directly connected to the brain, including the digestive system. This means, when the brain is stressed or depressed, the effect can spread to the digestive system. Starting from stomach pain to constipation.

Excessive stress and anxiety will stimulate the production of the hormone serotonin in the body. In normal amounts, this serotonin hormone actually functions to increase the contraction of the small intestinal muscles in the digestive system. That way, the food in the small intestine will quickly move and move to the large intestine.

However, if the hormone serotonin is produced excessively, this can actually trigger stomach cramps. If stomach cramps occur in all parts of the large intestine, the digestive process occurs faster and causes diarrhea. Meanwhile, if the stomach cramps occur in one part of the large intestine, the digestion process will stop and trigger constipation.

Moreover, stress makes it difficult for you to control your appetite. Maybe you are used to eating healthy foods, but when you are stressed, you turn to eating anything that can improve mood . Whether it's ice cream, fried foods, burgers, and so on.

Although they can improve mood swings, these types of foods can actually cause constipation and worsen symptoms.

Stress can also trigger other digestive problems

Even though it often causes constipation, stress that is constantly allowed can turn out to be fatal. Not only does it cause constipation, prolonged stress can also trigger other digestive problems. Among them:

1. Intestinal disorders (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disease that affects the work of the large intestine. This condition is usually characterized by abdominal pain and a change in bowel habits, which from the beginning to become less frequent, aka constipation or vice versa, it turns into diarrhea.

Until now, the cause of IBS is still not known with certainty. However, experts suspect stress is one of the triggers. This has been revealed through a study in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2014.

In that study, it was found that stress could exacerbate IBS symptoms by enhancing or inhibiting the autonomic nervous system. This autonomic nervous system is responsible for the "flight or fight" instinct in the face of a threat. As a result, the body reacts excessively and triggers IBS symptoms.

2.Inflammation of the intestine (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or inflammatory bowel disease is a condition when the colon becomes chronically inflamed. Not much different from IBS, inflammatory bowel symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, or constipation.

It turns out that the symptoms of colitis can get worse when you are stressed, anxious, or depressed. If stress occurs for a long time, the body will release the hormone cortisol (stress hormone) which can increase the inflammatory response to fight foreign substances. As a result, colitis gets worse over time.

How do you deal with stress so you don't get constipated?

After knowing that stress makes constipation, the most important key to dealing with constipation is to control your mind. The more relaxed your body and mind, the more muscles all over your body will relax. Including the digestive muscles, so that constipation can be reduced little by little.

You certainly have your own way to deal with stress. Whether by listening to music, talking to friends, writing a journal, yoga, or just taking a walk to the park.

Apart from eating fibrous foods, you can also use laxatives to help smooth bowel movements. However, you should first consult a doctor to determine the cause of your constipation. The doctor will adjust the treatment of constipation according to the cause.