Stress causes increased intestinal permeability. This permeability allows inflammatory compounds to come into the intestines, which can lead to a feeling of abdominal fullness — a common complaint among people who struggle with constipation.
People often feel constipated during times of stress. That's likely because of the link between the bowels and emotions. There's no specific test to find out if stress is causing your constipation. But your provider can consider your medical history and other symptoms to see if stress is a factor.
Second brain (gut-brain axis)
These nerves, consisting of millions of neurons, control the digestion of food. In states of stress and anxiety, disruption to this system, known as the gut-brain axis, can reduce the speed at which food moves through the gastrointestinal tract. And this can cause constipation3,4.
Through months and months of emotional disregard, people often develop what some dynamic psychology theorists fondly refer to as “emotional constipation”. This means, we can experience a buildup of unprocessed emotions in our systems that need an outlet.
Treating stress-related constipation
Some of the best ways to relieve constipation include improving the diet, eating plenty of fiber, and staying hydrated. Regular exercise can also help because physical activity encourages motion in the intestines, which helps relieve constipation.
While constipation affects the intestines and not the stomach, being constipated slows down the entire digestive system, which can delay or prevent food in the stomach from reaching the intestines. When this happens, constipated patients may feel nauseous or even vomit.
Dementia and depression are considered possible secondary causes of constipation [9]. In addition, anxiety and depression have been widely associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders, especially irritable bowel syndrome [10–12].
On the flip side, not pooping enough can affect our physical wellbeing and our mood too. Science has shown that people with constipation are more likely to be diagnosed with mood and anxiety problems. In fact, constipated people were 14x more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression, sheesh!
Noun. verbal constipation (uncountable) Difficulty in expressing in words what one wants to say, especially if one has much to say.
In addition to the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, stress-induced corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) release can also lead to bowel dysfunction by acting directly on the bowel itself and also through the CNS.
Stress can upset your gut and make you tense your muscles. That can make your constipation worse. And your brain is on high alert during times of stress, so you're more aware of belly upset. Anything that causes chronic stress, including CIC, can affect your emotions and your well-being.
If the stress response is triggered too often, the body has a harder time recovering. This impedes the flow of digestion and can cause stomach upset. It can also contribute to the development of irritable bowel syndrome and/or ulcers. The digestive system cannot function properly with too much stress or stimulation.
People who want fast constipation relief can also try drinking hot beverages, especially caffeinated ones like coffee or regular tea. “The temperature of the liquid can speed up digestive motility, and caffeine stimulates the bowels as well,” Slattery says.
Lifestyle factors such as stress and anxiety disorders may be responsible for the onset of constipation, and studies show high rates in people with anxiety. Other causes of constipation include: Lack of fiber or fluid in the diet.
Constipation should not be ignored. If it is left untreated, serious complications may arise such as hemorrhoids, anal fissure, fecal impaction and rectal prolapse as well as other related diseases that affect to general health in a long run.
Stress can also lead to constipation. When psychological stress leads to physical symptoms, they are known as somatic symptoms. The effects that stress hormones have on the body can cause constipation.
Side Effects of Constipation
Fatigue: Some research suggests that fatigue can occur due to the effects of a decrease in the absorption of nutrients on gut microflora. It may also be that stool sitting in the colon longer causes greater fermentation that in turn leads to mitochondrial dysfunction.
In summary, the side of effects of constipation on the body include: Fatigue. Weight gain.
Psychogenic constipation, constipation caused by anxiety or other psychiatric disorders, is a diagnosis of exclusion. In other words, if you can't find a physical cause for your constipation, then it is entirely possible that your constipation is being caused by stress and anxiety.
Why It's Important. Up to a third of people with depression have chronic constipation, and a few studies report that people with depression rate their accompanying bowel difficulties as one of the biggest factors reducing their quality of life.
Tenesmus refers to a persistent and painful desire to evacuate the bowel, despite having an empty colon. It often involves cramping, involuntary straining, and the passage of little fecal matter. The sensation is not a condition in itself but a symptom of other health issues that can affect the gastrointestinal system.
Constipation does not mean bowel movements stop entirely — the term simply describes changes in the frequency and consistency of bowel movements. People can still poop when constipated. If a person is constipated, it typically means that they have fewer than three bowel movements per week, though experiences vary.
Strict diets, skipping meals and restricting fluids can lead to constipation which can add 2 to 6 pounds to the scale. Ease constipation by increasing fiber-rich foods, water and exercise.