Stress response, also known as the fight-or-flight response, is a key to survival during stressful situations. This response alerts and prepares us to face various threats. But stress response is good when active only for a limited period.
That said, many of us are a lot more stressed than ever before, meaning that the fight-or-flight response stays active during most parts of our lives. And why shouldn't it be? After all, we are trying to thrive in the fastest-paced world of the present era.
Too much stress can be a killer. That is the reason the rates of various diseases (like high blood pressure, heart disease, bowel problems, depression, anxiety, etc.) are going sky-high today.
What’s the Link between Stress and Hemorrhoids?
Our focus here is the link between stress and hemorrhoids. Stress does not directly cause or exacerbate pre-existing hemorrhoids. Instead, it can upset your tummy inducing stomach cramps, constipation, or diarrhea. Then severe constipation or diarrhea, in turn, leads to hemorrhoids.
Why does stress upset your tummy?
Well, when you’re stressed out, your brain sends out signals to your tummy, which then reacts. What’s more surprising is that when your tummy is upset, it will also cross-deliver messages to your brain, which then responds. In other words, the two systems (gut and brain) crosstalk with and respond to each other's signals. This two-way link between the gut and brain is also what triggers an IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) flare-up in people who are prone to stress and anxiety.
Simply put, tummies of some people are naturally “wired'' to respond to stress, and distressed bowels, in turn, can invite many un-welcomed guests, including the annoying hemorrhoids.
How stress affects your digestion?
There's no way to say for sure how stress affects digestion in different people. It may either overstimulate (think stomach cramps and diarrhea) or slow down your digestive system (think abdominal gases, and constipation). Why stress has such variable effects on digestion is not clear. That said, we believe that it’s probably due to the release of different forms of certain stress hormones that either accelerate or slow down your bowel movements. If severe, both the extremes of the digestive spectrum will result in or worsen hemorrhoids.
Tame Stress to Prevent Hemorrhoids
Using stress-coping strategies can help you return to your regular bowel movements and keep hemorrhoids at bay or help treat the swollen rectal veins if you already have them.
Here are my top 6 bits of advice to diffuse stress:
1. Meditate:
Mindfulness meditation instills a sense of serenity and helps you focus your mind and banish the flight of stressful thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress.
2. Bust a gut:
Sometimes, good laughter is all that you need to dissipate stress. Laughter lowers stress hormones while amping up the release of feel-good chemicals. So, try watching a comedy or talking to or hanging out with friends who make you feel good and relaxed.
3. Spend time with family and friends:
When you're stressed, try to connect with your loved ones. This will help divert your attention from the stressful situation, provide the support that you need, and may even help you find a way out of your problem.
4. Play upbeat music:
Music is a fantastic stress reliever as it can help you distract, ease muscle tension, and take the edge off stress.
5. Seek help from a counselor:
If stress-coping tools do not work, I suggest talking to a professional therapist or counselor.
6. Get moving:
Finally, exercise. Almost any form of exercise and physical activity will help pump-up the release of feel-good endorphins and promote a sense of well-being and calm. It will also help regulate your bowel function.
Keep your mind and bowels healthy so you don't have to bear the consequences like hemorrhoids. If you think you have hemorrhoids, get in touch with me by booking an appointment today.