There’s a bidirectional relationship between gastrointestinal disorders and anxiety. This relationship is thought to be controlled by a gut-brain connection. Research studies have concluded that there is signaling between the gut and the brain that affects the way we think and behave.
So what does this mean? It means that having a disorder like GERD or Irritable Bowel Syndrome and perhaps even colitis can cause anxiety as well as depression.
Why does this matter? It matters with how you handle the anxiety. The usual medication treatment for anxiety is serotonin enhancing antidepressants like Prozac or Zoloft. But one of the main side effects of those drugs is gastrointestinal distress like nausea, diarrhea or constipation. So they can make your gastrointestinal illness worse. It may not, some people with GERD who take acid reducing medication can do okay with one of these antidepressants. But not all do.
So knowing that the anxiety medication can worsen your symptoms, an alternative approach may be to focus on getting the optimal treatment for your gastrointestinal symptoms first and then using cognitive behavioral strategies to address your anxiety.
The microbiome is the trillions of microorganisms, called microbes that inhabit your body. The microbes include bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses and most of them live in your small and large intestines.
There are some preliminary studies suggesting that probiotics that contain certain bacteria like lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium could help treat mental disorders. But the research into this intervention is still in the early stages and we are not able to say take this much probiotic to treat this disorder.
Healthy food produces good microbes. A good place to start with building a healthy microbiome is eliminating sugar and processed food and eating a clean diet. This would be food that reduces inflammation.
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The take home – if you have gastrointestinal problems like GERD or Irritable Bowel Syndrome – these illness can cause anxiety. So make sure you prioritize having the gastrointestinal problem treated – don’t ignore it thinking it’s probably just stress. Because ignoring it could then trigger a bigger problem of anxiety for you. Also, you want to take a serious look at your diet. It could make it big difference with how you feel without the need for taking another medication to get rid of your anxiety.
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Hello, I was not able to download the guide. please send me the pdf as I signed up few minutes ago. Summer.
I usually do not eat if I have to meet someone as an issue of vomit like feeling and i usually don’t eat in any hotel or outside as if I am surrounded by lots of people that time I also have the same vomit like feeling this is very bad type of anxiety as you can’t do anything or you can’t meet anyone and you can’t go for interview or something because everytime it’s feels like vomit and not comfortable I done the test and all there it is showing a symptoms of hiatus hernia could you please suggest me anything
Dr. Tracy Marks, do you have sources that you can provide to back up this information? I want to read into them and understand the direct correlation between certain foods and how they can directly work against inflammation, but I didn’t seem to see any linked on your downloadable guide. Thanks!
Anxiety can lead to high blood pressure right?
So how can cure it completely? Gastric and anxiety?I have this problem from 5 years …with meditation and yoga managed some but not cured completely. Whenever I feel pain or discomfort in stomach or chest due to gas than got panic or anxiety attack of heart attack.
Please suggest the solution..??
Hi Doctar.i can’t write english very well.i’m smoking cigarettes for 6 years.i’m 21 years old.I’m suffering from a shortness of breath and heart pain for last 6 months.i did angiogram test.that’s normal.One doctor said it’s a gastric pain and he gave medicine.but it doesn’t work.and then my chest pain increased and i got anxiety attack and I admitted to the hospital.they said its just a gastric problem.and i went to the physician and he gave me valparin tablets.for 6 days shorness of breath and heart pain stopped.after that it starts again.no one is giving me a proper answer for my pain.i can’t live with this pain.some times i got some suicidal thoughts?.i don’t know what to do.pls help me mam
I think you shd give up smoking for EVER! It is easy. Start chewing gum.
Hi, are you better now. I guess you gave up smoking. I do not smoke cigarettes but can have anxiety related to some stomach ailment. I am eating small meals and learning to meditate. I have been in the ER twice in May 2023. Now, I am better.
I have palpitations after meals. Burping, bloating, heartburn and upper abdominal pain too. Been on magnesium tricillicate, metronidazole and Omeprazole but no improvement.
I am usually faced with fear and anxiety. Do you have a daily routine suggestion that can help. Especially with palpitations, it’s been over a year ago.
hi:) i hope it’s no bother that i write – they says on webmd.com that “Some people have palpitations after heavy meals rich in carbohydrates, sugar, or fat. Sometimes, eating foods with a lot of monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates, or sodium can bring them on, too.If you have heart palpitations after eating certain foods, it could be due to food sensitivity. Keeping a food diary can help you figure out which foods to avoid.”
Also, I’d recommend you to google the FODMAP diet (at MonashUniversity site) if you are not already familiar with it!
– just thought it might give you a little heads up till you wait for Dr.Tracey’s answer. /excuse my grammar^°”/ nice day!
Hi
Thank you Juanita.
You are welcome:-) I hope it might helped you out a bit – Wish you’ll get better soon, peace!
Thanks so much. In your opinion what are the best probiotic supplements (brand names) to take?
Thank you for this informative information! I have Crohn’s Disease, Gastritis and possibly IBD. My anxiety has gotten progressively worse since being diagnosed with CD 17 years ago. I finally talked to my GI doctor about my anxiety as I have been researching the link between the gut and anxiety. I have read some research that supports that certain medication to treat anxiety and depression could actually improve symptoms of IBD. I finally took the plunge and saw a psychiatric nurse who prescribed 5mg Buspirone to try. However, I have not yet started the medication as I am hesitant to take another medication as I currently take Entyvio and Omeprazole and other medications as needed when my CD flares. I try to eat mainly paleo and I just started taking a probiotic (VSL #3) but now I am wondering about food sensitivities contributing not only to some of my ongoing stomach issues, but also anxiety. Any thoughts?
Taking probiotics and eating fermented foods like milk and water kefir and fermented vegetables has saved my life. I had gone through 2 years of chronic family stress that caused a complete physical breakdown when my siblings refused to give me appropriate downtime during a health crisis of our Mom’s. I was constantly nauseated and exhausted from the stress and terrorism, and it blew my mind when I started taking probiotics and my anxiety and depression was nearly immediately eliminated. I could not have been more blown away by the direct understanding of the mind/gut connection. Thank you so much for what you are doing!
Oh this is awesome to hear Elaine. I’m sorry you had such difficult experience but that’s amazing that your body was so responsive to cleaning up your gut. Thanks for sharing.?
Hi
I m having stomach problem for more then 5 years. Anything I eat start pain. Sometime I feel some liquid spreading everywhere in my stomach then burning start. Hospital done scran they can’t find anything but they said I have too much gas inside but I m getting my daily life problem with this pain. Could you suggest me what to do. Thanks
Wow that’s pretty amazing to get such dramatic results. Thanks for sharing your experience. It can motivate others. ??
Can it go the other way around? Where is actually the anxiety that creates gut problems (IBS)?
^I wanna know about this too. I have OCD and I developed IBS recently, is it for the medication or just the anxiety ?
Hi Farabi. Yes anxiety can cause gut problems like ulcers. You’re doctor could help you figure out what’s doing what.
God bless you…..you are such nice human person …to guide people …thanks a lot bottom from heart
You’re so welcome Sanjay and thank you!
Can it go the other way around? Where is actually the anxiety that creates gut problems (IBS)?
Yes it can. Chronic anxiety can cause gastrointestinal problems like ulcers and gastritis.
So how can cure it completely? Gastric and anxiety?I have this problem from 5 years …with meditation and yoga managed some but not cured completely. Whenever I feel pain or discomfort in stomach or chest due to gas than got panic or anxiety attack of heart attack.
Please suggest the solution..??
This is super informative, thanks
Yes even I have same problem & believe in what you mentioned. Can you suggest treatment for improving gut health apart from clean diet & probiotics. Thank you.
Hmmm…I can’t think of anything else at the moment. The condition of the gut really is dependent on what you eat. You may check out some functional medicine sites to see if they offer any other suggestions.
I . NEED . HELP
You can search for a provider in your area using psychologytoday.com
I truly believe there is a bidirectional process between gastrointestinal illness and anxiety. I developed gastritis five years ago when the stress of redundancy hit me. Since then I have struggled with anxiety in my new work role and I have never managed to rid myself of burning in my stomach.
Only when I was off work long term sick for 5 months did my stomach settle down.
Yes that definitely tells you what’s happening. I hope you’re able to find ways to manage your work anxiety (which is not easy, I realize) so that you can feel better physically.
Hi Dr. can you tell me how I can find you book on chronic inflammation please?
I think i have the symptoms
Thanks so much. In your opinion what are the best probiotic supplements (brand names) to take?