14. Your digestion suffers
The changes that occur in your digestive system don’t start in your stomach but your brain. When your body is in “fight or flight” response mode, it slows down processes that are less important at the time, such as digestion. Usually, this response is supposed to be temporary, but the problem occurs when anxiety is a long-term, chronic condition. It can cause symptoms such as constipation, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bloating and acid reflux.
Long-term anxiety can also cause inflammation and even change the way your stomach digests nutrients. When your sympathetic nervous system is activated, muscle spasms in your stomach occur and can result in various digestive problems. Increased anxiety can also affect acid levels in the stomach which impairs the ability of the stomach to digest food properly. When anxiety continues over an extended period, the bacteria in the gut can become unbalanced, also preventing proper digestion.
In many cases, digestive issues cause further anxiety. For instance, bloating and gas can lead to chest pains, and if you suffer from anxiety attacks, they may be triggered by chest pain. Indigestion causes pain and discomfort that can lead to more anxiety. It’s a vicious cycle, and if anxiety is causing poor digestion, there’s a good chance that this will have long-term adverse effects on your health.
Keeping track of your digestive problems can help you to determine whether anxiety is causing them. Write down what you’re eating, how you’re feeling emotionally and what you’re experiencing physically several times a day. For example, if you’re experiencing symptoms on the days when you have important meetings, they could be caused by anxiety. Eating healthy foods and exercising can improve your digestion, but you will need to find ways to deal with your underlying anxiety.