Stress And The 10 Truths Behind The Damage It Causes

Digestive Disorders

Revere Health Approximately seventy percent of the immune system lives in the gut; therefore, when it is affected, so is the digestive system. Stress has been linked to gastrointestinal symptoms including cramping, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. Stress can also worsen gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative colitis. High levels of cortisol have been linked to an increase in unhealthy foods such as salt, fat, and sugar, which may also impact digestive health. The digestive system is often referred to as the “second brain,” meaning that stress may affect the gastrointestinal system similar to the way it affects the brain.

Increased Pain

Stress might not be something that can be studied under a microscope like a bacterial infection, but its symptoms might cause an increase of pain in the body that is surely felt. Research shows a connection between chronic stress and the severity of pain. It is most common in the form of joint pain, headaches, and muscle pain. Stress may also make other painful conditions worse, such as back pain and arthritis, and it increases the frequency of tension headaches.