Stress and it's relationship to Crohn's disease.
‘Stress’ is a term used all too commonly nowadays, the term itself ‘dismissive’ of it’s impact on our health and well being. But in today’s fast-paced world and with the increasing frequency of troubling world events, could stress be impacting or even contributing towards normal bowel function?
In an article entitled ‘What’s the Relationship Between Stress and Crohn’s Disease?‘ author Traci Pedersen explains how ‘When someone with Crohn’s disease experiences chronic stress, it can make the symptoms more complicated and difficult to identify. This is because stress itself can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and high stress levels can both trigger and worsen existing Crohn’s disease symptoms.’ She also explains: ‘Stress triggers changes in hormones and the immune system, making your body’s defence system more active and causing more inflammation in your gut. This is especially problematic in Crohn’s disease, where inflammation is already the central problem. Stress can make this inflammation worse, leading to more severe symptoms.’
Stress can also trigger an increased release of histamine.
‘Stress is a natural reaction of the body to prepare itself for potentially threatening situations. During this process, stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released, which influence numerous processes in the body. But what happens to the histamine balance under stress?’
‘The release of adrenaline and cortisol by the nervous system leads to the activation of mast cells, which are a major source of histamine release. As a result, histamine levels in the body rise, which can intensify inflammatory processes and cause symptoms such as skin irritation, digestive problems or headaches.’
‘Chronic stress can also inhibit the production of enzymes such as DAO, which are responsible for breaking down histamine, creating a vicious cycle of elevated histamine levels and increased stress symptoms.’
Elevated histamine levels can play havoc with the body and the digestive system in particular. Histamine intolerance is a condition that mimics other digestive complaints notably allergies / sensitivities to foods, common of course with Crohn’s disease. I’ve dedicated an entire blog to Histamine Intolerance as mastering a few basic principles might bring some relief to your symptoms.
Comment
Personally, I learnt to my cost how a stressful lifestyle can impact the body. A fast-paced career , poor consumption choices and a long period of work stress resulted in my first bowel resection in 2003. Nine years later, after an extended period of personal stress, a second resection was required. Even now, despite years of healthy eating and studying Crohn’s in depth, if circumstances become stressful then certain symptoms can recur although not with the same intensity as before.
How do I deal with it now? Boundaries. One of my life lessons is to understand the importance of healthy boundaries. Our emotional response to a situation tells us our boundaries are being crossed yet we often say nothing for fear of causing offence. My advice? ‘Don’t deny what you feel inside’. If something feels wrong then back yourself – it probably is wrong and your body needs you stand up for it. Learn to say ‘No’ – it’s a deeply satisfying experience.