9 Symptoms To Identify Irritable Bowel Syndrome: How Is It Related To Mental Health?

Live with him irritable bowel syndrome, also known as irritable bowel syndrome, can be such a stressful and painful condition that it interferes with the quality of life of people who suffer from it. However, people who suffer from irritable bowel symptoms can learn different strategies to reduce them. These include both dietary changes and taking care of your mental health. But how is the irritable bowel or colon related to our psyche?

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

He irritable bowel syndrome or irritable colon It is a very common and chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Having an irritable colon means suffering from abdominal discomfort, gas, as well as suffering from diarrhea or constipation.

Some people refer to irritable bowel syndrome as a disorder that affects the interaction between the gut and the brain because some of the symptoms of this condition are often related to psychological patterns. In fact, experts have identified that some of the risk factors that may play a role in the causes of this condition are the following:

• Stressful or traumatic early life circumstances, such as physical or sexual abuse
• Certain mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or somatic symptom disorder
• Bacterial infections in the digestive tract
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth which is a change in the bacteria in the small intestine
• Food intolerances or sensitivities

The main treatment for irritable bowel They usually involve establishing certain changes in the diet along with other lifestyle adjustments, such as taking some medications, the use of probiotics, and going to therapy with a psychologist.

Symptoms of irritable bowel

He irritable bowel syndrome It involves a series of changes in our routine when going to the bathroom, as well as pain in the lower abdomen. Some of the factors that can contribute to changes and these symptoms include diet, stress, lack of sleep, and changes in intestinal bacteria. However, each person has different triggers, therefore, each case must be studied individually. Even so, some of the most common irritable bowel symptoms are the following:

1. Pain and cramps: Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms and a key factor in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. This happens because the irritable bowel syndrome It often causes signals between the gut and the brain to become distorted, leading to uncoordinated tension in the muscles of the digestive tract that causes this pain.
2. Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a irritable bowel symptom which usually affects approximately one third of those who suffer from this pathology. In some cases this symptom is accompanied by the sudden and immediate need to defecate, something that can contribute to those who suffer from it suffering from too much stress.
3. Constipation: On other occasions, instead of diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome can cause constipation. In fact, it is usually more common than diarrhea, affecting 50% of cases. This is because as this syndrome affects the communication between the brain and the intestine, when constipation occurs, transit time slows down due to it.
4. Changes in bowel movements: As we have mentioned, the alteration of communication between the brain and intestine It usually affects the way we defecate. Thus, in people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, this also implies changes in the way they perform their bowel movements.
5. Gas and bloating: The people with the irritable bowel syndrome They usually suffer from altered digestion that leads to greater gas production in the intestine. This can cause swelling, which makes those who suffer from it uncomfortable.
6. Alimentary intolerance: Many people who suffer from irritable bowel symptoms often report that certain foods trigger their symptoms. An exact list of foods that produce this reaction cannot be determined because each case is different; however, lactose and gluten are usually the most frequently reported.
7. Fatigue and difficulty sleeping: In addition to the physical symptoms that we have mentioned, people who suffer from irritable colon They often experience a lack of energy during the day that can even limit their effort at work, leisure, or in certain social interactions. In some cases, irritable bowel syndrome can also be linked to insomnia and difficulties falling asleep.
8. Anxiety and depression: Studies have found a relationship between irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome and disorders such as anxiety and depression. In fact, research shows people who suffer from this syndrome are 70% more likely to have a mood disorder, such as depression, and 50% more likely to have an anxiety disorder. .

These are the main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome If you think you may be suffering from this pathology, it is important that you go to your doctor.

How is irritable bowel syndrome related to stress, anxiety and depression?

As we see, there are different mental health conditions that can be related to the irritable bowel syndrome According to studies, there are different theories that could explain this relationship between irritable bowel syndrome, stress, anxiety and depression:

• Although psychological problems As anxiety does not cause digestive disorder, people with irritable bowel syndrome may be more sensitive to emotional problems.
• The strong emotions such as stress, anxiety and depression trigger chemicals in the brain that activate pain signals in the gut that can cause the colon to react.
• He stress and anxiety They can make the mind more aware of spasms in the colon.
• Irritable bowel syndrome can be triggered by the immune system which is affected by stress.

How to deal with irritable bowel syndrome?

There is different research that indicates that keeping stress under control can not only prevent irritable bowel symptoms, but it can also relieve them. This is because our gut has a ‘brain’ of its own, and in fact, it is the reason why we can feel butterflies in our stomach when we are nervous. This second ‘brain’ usually controls how we digest our food. Therefore, we recommend that you take into account the following tips to deal with pain in the intestines:

1. Exercise regularly: Physical exercise can help you relieve stress and even some of the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, it also helps our intestines contract in a more ‘normal’ way instead of overreacting.
2. Calm your mind: Meditation or relaxation techniques can help you relax parts of your body such as the intestine.
3. Change your diet: As we have indicated, in many cases where people suffer from irritable bowel syndrome Certain foods are usually identified that trigger their symptoms. Therefore, keeping a food diary will help you analyze those that may make you react worse. In addition, going to a nutritionist will also allow you to learn more about this pathology and have habits that help you alleviate its symptoms.
4. Go to therapy: If you think that anxiety, stress or depression are influencing you to experience irritable bowel symptoms, we recommend that you see a professional psychologist. Receiving treatment will help you understand how your mind and body can relate to the irritable bowel syndrome

Have the irritable bowel It can cause great discomfort in the daily lives of people who suffer from it. For this reason, it is important to focus on seeking treatment appropriate to our situation so we can return to living our lives normally.