can stress and thinking too much cause digestive problems?

Question

if yes then how? i realised that i have stress cos now my chest pain sometimes and have body pain especially the back and shoulders. Three years ago i had just developed any attitude of being angry for no reason when i am around my family and always think what i will be in future since i am 20 yrs and still have nothing despite being in university. went abroad on a gov scholarship and experienced cultural and racial problem that made it worst but now i am a bit settling cos i met a doctor who told me that i have emotions problem but i know myself that i am very shy thus, don't interact with many people. T

recently may heart has started jumping for simple things like when my phone rings/vibrate or somebody knock the door, even someone with me scream of shout.

Answer 1

yes. some people who have emotional problems/stress tend to eat less or nothing.. while others eat more than they usual do.. it varies (depending on the personality).. and i can say that this is all psychological..

you must build self-esteem or confidence.. try doing some sports, visit a bar, meet new people.. ;-)

Answer 2

Your stomach is considered your 2nd stomach, it can get stress out just like you do. I'm a stresser by nature and a worrier also, this has done nothing but give me a gastic ulcer since I was 15, so I've been living and dealing with it for about 15 years. The more you worry and stress the more irritated your gastric jucies (the acid in your stomach that breaks down food so it can be absorbed in your body) become and when they come upward, thats when your lining in your intestines and esophagus gets thinner and get ulcerated. Being shy probably has nothing to do with digestive problems unless you're stressing about wishing you were someone else outgoing. Stressing too much can also cause IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) where everything you eat, you feel like it goes right thru you and you're always in the bathroom. If you can, have your GP or PCP (primary care physician) refer you to a GI doctor. Good luck and chill a bit. =)

Answer 3

The simple answer is yes. It is natural for people who are stressed out to eat more than usual or very little. Not just stress, anything overly emotional makes the normal nutrition process take a backseat. When you are emotional or stressed, your adrenaline is in full flow. It is the hormone of flight and fright. When your body is in flight and fright mode, nutrition takes a back seat. Your heart rate increases to cope with the stress.

Whenever I was hell scared (just one real time), I just 'forgot to eat'. I was in such an emergency mode that hunger just didn't matter. I ate very very little in the period between the exams and the declaration of results.

Of course, if you don't eat properly, digestive problems are bound to follow.

Answer 4

In answer to you questions - YES, stress and anxiety can cause all manner of problems. When the body is presesnted with a stressful situation we have an increase of adrenaline (which we often experience as anger) and the body undergoes changes which allows us to either fight or flee from the cause of stress. This is rather simply termed the Fight or Flight process. All of the bodies resources are directed at parts of the body that are instrumental in us fighting or running away; our pupils dialate, blood is pumped faster to major muscles etc etc. Processes that are not as important take a back seat. Digestion is one of those. So, if you are experiencing prolonged stress or anxiety you will get chronic digestive problems. Stress is a leading cause of Irritable Bowl Syndrome, for example.

You really do need to address your emotional issues, you can ask your G.P to refer you to a counsellor, but I think that maybe a more productive route would be more beneficial for you. Maybe some kind of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) this will help you to address the causes of your problems and work on better ways to deal with them. It will also teach you how to deal with your anger issues.

You really do need to be productive in this, you are young and if you allow this to go one, you will feel worse and worse and may well loose control of your anger and end up hurting someone.

I hope you get well soon.

Answer 5

Stress can cause a build up of acids in the lining of the stomach (don't ask me how but it can!) which can lead to severe stomach pains. Just before my finals last year I started getting really bad shooting pains in my stomach. I thought I was dying it was so painful so I went to the doctors and he told me not to worry, that it was just a build up of acid in the stomach due to the worry of my finals. He prescribed something for me on off I went on my merry way. As for the anger... Maybe if you became a little more sociable and interacted more with people you kow and trust, your confidence would grow and thus you would be able to speak to more people etc... etc...

Answer 6

I understand this because I can be quite similiar, I say can be because I go through phases it definately depends on who you are around. My x used to make me angry for no reason, in hindsight I think he always reminded me of how angry I can get so I just kept getting angry and we just dis not get along! Stress has caused me to have a tight feeling in my stomach, that in turn made me feel nervous and I was unable to eat for ages. To overcome this I just relaxed, switched off for a bit and was ok.

Answer 7

Never hurts to seek out a counselor or therapist.

You know you are having emotional problems, you just stated them.

The best time to take care of them is now, before they escalate into larger situations.

Plus, you will have a happier life.

Answer 8

Sounds to me like you have depression go to your doctor and get this sorted.Also stress can bring about lots of ailments,your to young for all this crap your putting yourself through,get out there and live life to the full.

Answer 9

Simple answer is yes as many of us can attest to!

Answer 10

Yes!

TURN your problems over to God--just say, "God, you KNOW how my back and shoulders hurt. You KNOW how I have chest pain. God, I GIVE them to you."
And BELIEVE that He heard you!!

Hey, I don't interact with people , EITHER!
I HATE gatherings of ANY kind--because I HATE smalltalk.

That doesn't mean I NEVER go to them.
I just don't stay long, ya know what I mean?