fbpx

Jul 26, 2024

Heart Pounding, Stomach-Knotting: Stress & You

The Stress Response

Your muscles tense, your heart races and your breath comes faster — we all know what stress feels like. The “fight or flight” response is behind it: Your hormones get your body ready to either take on a threat or run from it. If this happens too often — say, every day during your commute — it’s called “chronic stress,” and it can take a toll on different parts of your body and your overall health.

How it Happens

Hormones are chemicals that tell certain parts of your body to spring into action. Your adrenal glands make the ones that help your body prepare to fight or run from danger (adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol). When those stay at a high level for a long time, they can weaken your bones and your immune system, mess with your sleep, and make you lose muscle.

Stomach Pain

”Butterflies” are one thing, but if you’re really stressed, you may have nausea and your tummy might hurt. This is natural, because your body may slow or stop digestion during the fight-or-flight response to help you focus.

Bathroom Trouble

If stress closes down your digestive system too often, it can cause diarrhea or constipation and affect your body’s ability to take in nutrients. There also seems to be a link between stress and irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause belly pain and cramping, as well as constipation and diarrhea.

Heartburn and Acid Reflux
People who are under a lot of stress might eat more, or eat more unhealthy food. They also may drink more alcohol or smoke more often. All this can lead to heartburn and acid reflux (when stomach acid comes up into your food pipe). If it’s not treated, it can cause ulcers (open sores) and scar tissue.

Link:rb.gy/cq6rv7

Source: WebMD

Newsletter Sign-up

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.