Stress belly is the extra abdominal fat that accumulates as the result of chronic or prolonged stress. Although stress belly is not a medical diagnosis, it is a term used to describe the way that stress and stress hormones impact your midsection.
People with stress- or anxiety-related stomach pain most often complain of a knotted feeling, cramping, churning, bloating, indigestion, nausea, or diarrhea.
“'Stress belly' usually refers to that weight gain around your midsection that occurs when there has been a change in your daily stress level, emotions, and life changes,” says Emily Tills, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N.
Increased long-term cortisol levels are thought to be directly related to abdominal obesity. Short-term stress may also cause belly fat, but it's more likely to occur in individuals who are constantly under pressure and stress.
Common symptoms of stress in women include: Physical. Headaches, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, pain (most commonly in the back and neck), overeating/under eating, skin problems, drug and alcohol misuse, lack of energy, upset stomach, less interest in sex/other things you used to enjoy.
Stress belly is not a medical condition, it is a sign of how stress and stress hormones are affecting your weight and especially belly fat. The high levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone is associated with abdominal fat.
Common GI symptoms
Stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms are more common than you may think. According to Swanson, 20 to 40% of the population will at some point experience GI pain or discomfort brought on by stress. These symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating and nausea.
Stress belly is not a medical condition, it is a sign of how stress and stress hormones are affecting your weight and especially belly fat. The high levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone is associated with abdominal fat.
Research suggests that eating foods high in B vitamins can help relieve stress. So, consider adding a lot of dark, green, leafy vegetables, bananas, etc, to your diet. Reduce total calories: Limit foods that are high in calories with little to no nutrition. Avoid added fructose and hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Anxiety also triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol. This causes the body to produce extra levels of stomach acid. This acidity irritates the esophagus lining, leading to belly pain, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, stress-induced ulcers.
See Your Doc. If you've consistently put these strategies into play — de-stressing, getting quality sleep, eating a balanced diet with plenty of fiber, and exercising regularly — you'll likely see a difference after only a couple of weeks, Freuman says.
Sometimes, excess fat around the belly is due to hormones. Hormones help regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive. If a person has a deficiency in certain hormones, it may result in weight gain around the abdomen, which is known as a hormonal belly.
Common gastrointestinal symptoms due to stress are heartburn, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and associated lower abdominal pain.
Common signs and symptoms of higher-than-normal cortisol levels include: Weight gain, especially in your face and abdomen. Fatty deposits between your shoulder blades. Wide, purple stretch marks on your abdomen (belly).
As the body's primary stress hormone, cortisol surges when we perceive danger, and causes all the symptoms we associate with “fight or flight”—increased blood pressure and heart rate, muscle tension, and the digestive system slamming to a halt, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Chronic stress — stress that occurs consistently over a long period of time — can have a negative impact on a person's immune system and physical health. If you are constantly under stress, you may experience physical symptoms such as chest pain, headaches, an upset stomach, trouble sleeping or high blood pressure.
Chronic Stress Examples
Work: Starting a new job, losing a job, retiring, difficulties at work, being unable to find a job, etc. Financial: Having money problems, difficulty meeting basic needs such as housing or food, etc. Life changes: Moving, starting a new school, etc.
When we're stressed, hormones and neurotransmitters are released in the body. This can negatively impact gut motility, or the way our intestines and stomach squeeze and move waste through the body. Also, stress can affect the delicate balance of bacteria in our gut, causing GI discomfort.
As previously stated, the shape of a PCOS belly differs from other types of weight gain. It often appears large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genetics and other factors. The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch.