Stress and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

By John Devlin L.Ac, Dipl. O.M.

The Health Effects of Stress

Modern research indicates that stress is one of the most harmful environmental factors in our world today. The body is hardwired to respond to threats to our safety. Often called the “Fight or Flight” mechanism. Making a living, paying bills, caring for a family, driving in traffic, keeping to a schedule, juggling to many things in a day while not life threatening can all be perceived as threats by your nervous system.

When we perceive a threat an alarm system is initiated in the body created through a series of hormonal and nervous system responses. Your blood pressure rises, your heart rate elevates, blood sugar levels increase to prepare the body to take life saving action. Some body functions are reduced because they are non-essential in an emergency situation. Our immune system alters. Functions around reproduction and growth are suppressed and most importantly of all our digestive function is suppressed as well.

Nature in all it’s wisdom decided that if a zebra is running from a lion, running for it’s life, the last thing the body needs to worry about is proper digestion of it’s last meal. Which is totally appropriate given the situation. If the lion catches the zebra that last meal isn’t really that important at that point. Scientist have even observed zebras evacuating their bowels while being chased by a predator. This is obviously relevant to anyone with IBS. It’s important you to realize that the human body simply cannot properly digest food while experiencing a stress response. The two just can’t happen at the same time. Anyone experiencing chronic stress will have a chronic problem with assimilation of their food.

When the nervous system perceives a threat to have past everything returns to normal. All of this is a healthy response to a life threat. There is nothing wrong with this picture and it’s actually quite elegant and wise of the body to behave in this way. The problem is when the stressors of daily life leave us constantly on edge and tense. This emergency response system just stays on. In fact it can stay on all day. It can stay on for years. When this stress response system stays on and stress hormones flood our blood stream on a daily basis, this in the long run leads to all sorts of havoc leaving you at risk for:

Many Chronic Digestive Disorders

Heart disease

Sleep problems

Depression

Obesity

Memory impairment

Worsening of skin conditions, such as eczema

And most importantly for IBS sufferers, chronic stress leaves you at risk for chronic digestive problems. Remember the zebra doesn’t need proper digestion when it’s running for it’s life. If you’re suffering from IBS you need to learn how to manage stress. Stress Management is key to the management of IBS.

Take Charge. Remember stress often comes from how we react to situations in life. Think of someone in your life who never seems ruffled who always seems to be confident and optimistic. Think about them harder. Do you think this person does not have challenges? Do you think they are living a charmed life devoid of difficult people or difficult circumstances? Think again. Their relaxed easy going demeanor is likely the result of their attitude and a set of skills they have acquired to manage stress and relate to the inevitable challenges of life. Acquire these skills yourself.

Learn to say "No". Don’t take on more than you can handle. Become comfortable “disappointing” others in order to take care of yourself. Know your limits.

Prioritize. Ask yourself each day. What are the 3 top priorities on my to do list? Take care of those and then start afresh the next day. Take on manageable chunks. There are very few true “emergencies” in life.

Relax. When was the last time you felt truly relaxed; truly, deeply, completely, at the core of you’re being free from any tension or care? A day? A week? Since childhood? Begin a daily practice of deep relaxation. Learn Meditation. Buy a guided relaxation CD. Practice Yoga, receive massage, or even acupuncture. Find what works for you but make it a daily part of your life.

John Devlin is the creator of The Natural IBS Cure™ Program.  A unique step by step guide to cure IBS naturally and permanently For more information about the program go to www.naturalibscure.com.