11:24 p.m
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Books – Muhammad Amin
The different stresses of life have multiple negative effects on the health of the body, as they affect its various systems, especially the nervous system, as well as the stomach.
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In the following lines, the “Consulto” reviews how depression affects stomach health.
Depressing effect on the stomach
Dr. Muhammad Al-Manisi, Consultant Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, said that depression greatly affects, in addition to nervous and psychological emotions, the health of the stomach and the way it performs its functions.
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Al-Manisi explained that depression may cause the following symptoms:
1- Severe stomach cramps.
2- Stomach cramps.
3- Digestive system instability.
4- Colon irritation, as a result of stress caused by depression, which results in constipation, diarrhea, or flatulence.
5- Severe loss of appetite, resulting in severe weight loss.
Also read: What are the most common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Treatment tips
The consultant of internal medicine and gastroenterology advised everyone who suffers from symptoms of depression to rush to consult a specialist doctor, to start the treatment journey, noting that psychological treatment in this case comes before organic treatments, warning against taking antidepressant drugs due to the negative effects they cause in the body.
Tips for relieving symptoms of colon irritation due to depression
1- Eat foods rich in fiber
Gastroenterologists always recommend irritable bowel patients to eat vegetables and fruits, as they contain a high percentage of fiber that helps improve bowel movement and facilitate digestion and excretion.
2- Eat at regular times
Eating at regular times can help regulate bowel function, especially if you suffer from diarrhoea. You may find that eating small, frequent meals makes you feel better.
But if you’re constipated, eating larger amounts of high-fiber foods may help move food through your intestines.
3- Exercising regularly
Exercising helps relieve feelings of stress and depression, and stimulates the natural contractions of the intestines, which helps to feel relaxed.
4- breathing exercises
Simple breathing exercises can help reduce inflammation of the large intestine, and according to a study published in the Journal of Pharmacology in 2013, people who practiced breathing exercises for 5 weeks had improved symptoms of IBS compared to those who did not.
You may be interested in: Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Honey… Fact or Myth?