Gut Health and How It Relates to Mental Health

It’s no secret that your stomach and its inner workings have a great deal to do with mental health, not to mention your overall wellness.

The truth is, the gastrointestinal tract is highly sensitive to emotion. You’ve heard those old expressions, like “butterflies in the stomach,” “sick to your stomach,” and so on. Anxiety, anger, happiness, sadness — these are all feelings which can trigger symptoms or disrupt your gut.

The Gastrointestinal System and Your Mood

Your brain has a direct connection to your stomach. Have you ever thought of a certain type of food when you’re hungry and your stomach starts to speak to you? Does even the thought of eating pizza give you acid reflux? That’s because your stomach releases juices before you even take one bite. Your brain and gut can both send signals to each other, actually.

The Many Faces of Stomach Problems

Stomach problems can show up in a lot of ways, including:

Heartburn
Acid Reflux
Abdominal Cramps
Loose Stool
Diarrhea
Irritable Bowel
And More

People with gastrointestinal problems often perceive their pain and adverse symptoms more intensely because of the brain’s inability to properly regulate the signals sent to it from the GI tract. If you experience stress, it can make the situation even worse.

Harvard Health Publishing mentions 13 studies which found that patients who implemented psychologically-based approaches in addition to medical guidance had greater and faster improvements in their digestive system’s functionality compared to patients studied who’d only received traditional gastrointestinal treatment.

How Do I Find a Gastroenterologist Near Me?

The Beverly Hills Center for Digestive Health is proud to serve the Los Angeles community as experienced gastroenterologists. Our office is designed with the patient in mind, and so are the treatments we provide and policies we uphold. We always aim to create a strong patient/doctor bond, fulfilling your needs regarding gastroenterology, guiding you to wellness through concentrated, compassionate care. We strive to provide the most accommodating personalized experience possible for each patient we see.

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