The relationship between stress and gas | A simple explanation of the reasons for bloating and gas

“When stress continues, my stomach feels strange…”

• My stomach feels bloated
• Pain due to gas accumulation
• Can’t stop farting
• My stomach grumbles when I’m nervous

Have you ever had such an experience?

Actually, this is
👉 It’s not your imagination, it’s a “normal reaction of your body”.

Stress has a huge effect on
intestinal function, gas amount, and stomach sensation.

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Author
“People tend to think it’s a mental problem, but there’s actually a physical reason.”

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Why does stress increase gas?

Keyword is “brain-gut connection”

The gut is often called
the “second brain”.

This is because the
intestines constantly exchange information with the brain through the autonomic nervous system.

That is,

• The brain feels stress
  →
• Autonomic nerves are disturbed
  →
• Changes in bowel movements

The flow will occur.

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What happens in the intestines when the autonomic nervous system is disrupted?

✔ ① Intestinal movements become unstable

When you are stressed,

• Excessive intestinal movement
• On the contrary, movement becomes slower

Both can happen.

As a result,

• More gas is produced than necessary
• It is difficult for gas to escape

→ It can lead to bloating and gas buildup.

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Author
“Gas accumulates whether you move too much or not move too much.”

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✔ ② It becomes easier to unconsciously swallow air

When under stress, people become unconscious

• Becomes a fast speaker
• Eating too fast
• Breathing becomes shallow

This makes it easier to
swallow a lot of air (aerophagia).

The swallowed air
reaches the intestines and accumulates as gas.

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✔ ③ Intestinal environment becomes easily disturbed

Chronic stress is

• Reduce beneficial bacteria
• Increase bad bacteria

I know that.

When the intestinal bacterial balance is disrupted,

• Abnormally fermented food
• Increased amount of gas
• The smell becomes stronger

Changes such as

will occur.

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These people may have “stress gas”

Do you have any idea about the following items?

• When you get nervous, your stomach suddenly gets bloated
• I’m worried about gas when I’m at a meeting, on a train, or in a quiet place
• Symptoms are milder on holidays
• An examination at the hospital revealed no abnormalities
• Recurring diarrhea and constipation

These may be
signs that stress is affecting your intestines.

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Author
“There are so many people who say, “Weekdays are hard, but holidays are easy.””

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Relationship with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

When we talk about stress and gas,

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) often comes up.

ibခ

b.

• No abnormalities in the test
• But the symptoms are painful

It has the feature

.

Main symptoms:

• Gas accumulates
• Stomach tension
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea and constipation

And
Stress is known to be a likely trigger.

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How to deal with stressful gases

✔ ① “Not worrying too much” is also part of treatment

I’m worried about gas
→ I’m nervous
→ More gas

A
vicious cycle is likely to occur.

“It’s okay if it comes out”
“It can’t be helped because it’s just a body reaction”

For many people, just being aware of

eases the symptoms.

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Author
“Not being too conscious is actually very important”

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✔ ② Adjust your breathing

Shallow breathing
makes gas retention worse.

Recommended:

• Inhale slowly through your nose
• Inflate your stomach
• Exhale for a long time from the mouth

This is the so-called
abdominal breathing.

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✔ ③ Review your meals and how you eat

• Chew well
• Stop eating too fast
• Do not eat too many foods that cause gas

Not only “what you eat” but
“how you eat” is also important.

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✔ ④ Light exercise to move the intestines

• Walk
• Stretching
• Light exercises

Movement for “relaxation” is more effective than strenuous exercise.

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Guidelines for visiting a hospital

If you have the following symptoms,
consider internal medicine/gastroenterology.

• Continued gas and strong abdominal pain
• I wake up at night with pain
• Bloody stool, fever, weight loss
• Difficulty in daily life

It’s important not to just say, “It’s stressful,” but to
get tested for peace of mind.

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Summary | Gas is a sign of “heart and intestines”

✨ Stress occurs
→ Autonomic nerves are disturbed
→ Bowel movements and gas change

✨ Characteristics of stress gas
→ Worsens when stressed
→ Feels better when resting
→ Tests often show no abnormalities

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Author
“An upset stomach is not a “weakness”.
It’s a sign that your body has been working hard🌿”