Anxiety leads to poor digestion and stomach gas pain

Have a job interview or a big presentation? Anxious about the future because of current problems? Or suffering from anxiety due to any other reason and also experiencing weird ‘butterflies’ in the stomach and abrupt sensations that make you uncomfortable and in pain? Well, all these are inter-related; anxiety directly corresponds to poor digestion and stomach gas, causing stomach ache and extreme discomfort. While some people do not experience any such symptoms, there may be others who suffer intense symptoms such as stomach gas, because of anxiety. Anxiety causes significant changes in the gut because the brain and the gut have a powerful two-way connection. The brain signals the stomach to eat and, in the process, release juices to break down the food properly. When the brain is disturbed, it automatically caused a disturbance in the gut and related activities such as digestion. The gut is often referred to as the second brain of the body.

How anxiety leads to poor digestion and stomach gas pain?

Excess acid in the stomach: Anxiety and stress cause excess production of acid in the stomach, leading to indigestion, heartburn and stomach ache.

Fight-or-flight Response: Fight-or-flight response, also known as acute stress response, is an effect of anxiety. The reaction is given by the body when it perceives an adverse event or threat to survival. A fight-or-flight response triggers sharp brain activity, raises heartbeats, and diverts excess blood and nutrients to the arms and legs to be able to respond to the threat effectively. In this process, however, it restricts or stops the working of the gut. This is almost unnoticeable in the short run; but harmful in the long term.

Stomach bacteria: Anxiety has a direct impact on the bacteria that aids the digestion process in the body. For effective digestion of food, an appropriate balance of good and bad bacteria is required. During anxiety, this balance is disturbed, causing poor digestion and stomach gas pain.

Disturbed sleep: One of the significant problems of anxiety and stress is the impact on sleep. Sleep is not only essential for the brain but also very much needed for a healthy digestive system. Lack of sleep because of anxiety leads to several problems such as bloating, acidity, stomach gas and stomach ache.

That said, doctors also analyse the digestive system problems while treating patients with anxiety issues or stress because anxiety has a direct impact on the digestion process of the body, causing issues such as indigestion, acidity, heartburn, stomach gas, constipation, diarrhoea or nausea.

Short-term digestion problems caused by anxiety
•    Indigestion and acidity due to the formation of acid in the stomach. Stomach ache because of cramps in the muscles of the stomach
•    Diarrhoea or constipation because of changes in the process and speed of food digestion

Long-term digestion problems caused by anxiety
•    Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which produces symptoms such as stomach cramps, stomach ache, bloating, excessive stomach gas, and consistent diarrhoea or constipation
•    Indigestion that produces symptoms such as stomach growling, stomach ache, acidity, vomiting or nausea
•    Stomach ulcers

Tips to ease poor digestion and stomach gas pain caused by anxiety

Holy Basil
Holy Basil or Tulsi works well to ease the digestive problems caused by anxiety. It is very effective in curing acidity symptoms. It helps to reduce the production of excess acid in the stomach while on the other hand, it increases the creation of protective mucus, and also calms the irritated stomach muscles. It works wonders in counteracting the effects of stress-induced ulcers that cause acidity.

Moreover, Tulsi is known to improve immunity due to its anti-inflammatory properties and is also a natural detoxifying agent. So, the next time you experience digestive problems or acidity symptoms because of anxiety, chew on a handful of fresh Tulsi leaves, or alternatively boil 4-5 leaves in a cup of water, strain the mix and drink it hot. You can also add honey to this Tulsi tea, as per taste. 

Cold Milk
The easiest and the most effective home remedy for digestive problems and acidity caused because of anxiety - is to drink a glass of cold milk whenever you experience disturbing symptoms including acidity, stomach ache, bloating, cramps, etc. Milk contains calcium which interferes with the formation of acid in the stomach and tends to absorb any excessive acid, stop any reflux of acid, as well as quickly heal the burning sensation. Cold milk calms the stomach muscles and provides quick relief to the sensitive stomach lining, curing acidity in turn. It is best to drink a glass of cold milk in the morning or whenever you experience digestive problems because of anxiety. Remember to drink the milk without any additives such as sugar.

Peppermint
Peppermint is a natural relaxant and contains antispasmodic properties that amp up the digestion process and support the effective breakdown of fats in the body. Peppermint is known to calm the stomach lining and muscles, promoting a smooth flow of bile during the digestive process. To get relief through peppermint, you can keep Natural Varients handy to get instant relief from gas, stomach ache, stomach burning, acidity, and heartburn. Alternatively, you can boil a few peppermint leaves in water for approximately 15-20 minutes, strain the mixture, and drink it hot post all three meals of the day. 

These useful home remedies for indigestion can quickly cure symptoms produced by anxiety such as stomach ache, the acid in the stomach, stomach gas, heartburn, and bloating. Also, in situations where you need instant relief from anxiety caused digestive troubles, trust Gas-O-Fast to provide you with the best cure. Natural Varients sachets from Gas-O-Fast are enriched with digestive properties and enzymes that help calm the stomach muscles and ease digestion.