HOT DIARRHEA SUMMER had a lot of the nation’s stomachs in knots. Thousands were duking it out on the toilet after falling ill to contaminated iceberg lettuce.
While the Cyclospora outbreak has ended, some people will continue to have tummy troubles. And no, it’s not your produce this time.
Common culprits guys overlook for tummy troubles are stress and anxiety. The gut and brain have an important connection and influence each other. So it’s pretty normal but not so great when the symptoms of an upset stomach make you more worried about every race to the restroom—it could possibly start a vicious cycle of stress diarrhea. More on that below.
The Close Ties Between Your Brain and Stomach
EVERYONE HAS A brain-gut axis. This is where the two parts of your body “talk to each other,” says gastroenterologist Ali Khan, MD. The gut has so many nerve cells that it’s often referred to as the “second brain” of the body. Scientists continue to uncover more and more about this gut-brain axis, but research continues to find that the gut responds to emotions.
Yes, that includes the stress you feel when bills are due or when seeing the first gray hairs on your head.
Part of the central nervous system, called the enteric nervous system, directly connects the brain and GI system. When you start to feel stress or anxiety, the body reacts by releasing cortisol and adrenaline—hormones that can impact your bowel habits. Stress also affects the healthy bacteria in your gut, which affects how you digest food.
“These nerve and hormone pathways can be triggered or stimulated by stress,” says Kevin Beyer, DO, osteopathic physician specializing in gastroenterology. “As we are all wired differently, the effects of stress can range from minor to debilitating.” Some people might have the runs while others might deal with constipation and bloating.
The brain-gut connection is also a pathway for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you have IBS or inflammatory bowel disease, anxiety and stress can trigger flare-ups, which might include more diarrhea. Dr. Khan says people with these GI conditions are also more likely to experience stress, which worsens their symptoms.
How to Treat Stress-Related Diarrhea
ADDRESSING THE ROOT cause of your stress is the first step to treating stress-related GI problems. That’s going to look different for everyone depending on the stressor and how you like to de-stress.
“Coping with stress is a valuable skill that can take years to master, so it is important to manage expectations,” says Dr. Khan. In the meantime, a temporary solution is to use an over-the-counter medications, such as Imodium and Pepto-Bismol. A probiotic supplement may also help with managing stress-related diarrhea.
Adjusting your diet can help too. If certain foods, like spicy foods or alcohol, irritate your stomach, then it’s best to avoid them while you’re stressed.
If your diarrhea persists or you’re starting to experience other symptoms—bloody stool, fever, severe abdominal pain, or unintended weight loss—it’s a good idea to see a doctor. Just scheduling a visit could relieve the stress somewhat if you know help is coming.
Erica Sweeney is a writer who mostly covers health, wellness and careers. She has written for The New York Times, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Parade, Money, Business Insider and many more.