Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects as many as 45 million people in the country, with two-thirds being women. Fortunately, only a small proportion of sufferers have severe symptoms.
There’s a relationship between IBS and anxiety, despite the disparate nature of these conditions. Adjusting lifestyle factors, including stress, is often an effective way to minimize the impact of IBS.
As specialists in diagnosing and treating IBS, the team at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida is here for you. Let’s take a closer look at the link between anxiety and IBS.
Many suffer from IBS but remain undiagnosed, perhaps because their episodes are infrequent or they suspect other issues are the problem. The signs of IBS vary widely, even for those with a diagnosed condition.
The most common symptoms of IBS include:
Acute symptoms that may be more serious include:
Visit us as soon as possible if you’re experiencing one or more of these serious effects.
The precise way that IBS works isn’t fully understood. Anxiety doesn’t cause IBS, but it can trigger an episode or make your symptoms worse.
A study published in 2021 identified genetic connections between people with both IBS and mood disorders. These connections could indicate a reason why anxiety and IBS often occur simultaneously.
Other research suggests that people with mood disorders are more likely to develop IBS, potentially supporting the 2021 paper. Some believe that screening patients with IBS for anxiety and depression may be prudent because of the frequent comorbidity of the conditions.
There’s a negative spiral pattern that many IBS sufferers experience. Fear of an IBS attack could be enough to trigger an episode. IBS symptoms in action can add anxiety and stress.
There may also be immune system involvement in the connection with anxiety and IBS. A type of white blood cell that triggers inflammatory responses in the body, which is thought to play a role in IBS. These cells also share a connection with anxiety and depression.
Contact us at Gastroenterology & Nutrition of Central Florida to further explore your IBS condition and develop a treatment plan. You can reach out to the nearest of our five locations online or directly by phone to book your appointment today.
