If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and regularly feel depressed and anxious, you aren’t alone.
A new study has shown that IBS symptoms are closely linked with mental health struggles.
Specifically, the study looked at anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts in patients admitted to the hospital for their IBS symptoms. It used data from 1.2 million IBS patients in more than 4,000 hospitals in the United States over three years.
IBS is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) system that affects up to 15 percent of the population. More than 38 percent of the patients had anxiety, and more than 27 percent had depression. These were double the levels found in people who didn’t suffer from IBS.
Experts believe this could have something to do with what’s known as the gut–brain axis. However, the relationship is still not well understood. On the one hand, IBS symptoms may influence anxiety and depression, but it is also possible those psychiatric issues may lead to IBS symptoms given that stress can infringe on the parasympathetic nervous system and impair digestion.
One of the keys to treating the symptoms may be recognizing feelings of anxiety and depression, then finding ways to deal with them. Meditation, relaxation, healthy eating, and good sleep are all ways to help manage stress and reduce anxiety.
Exercise, outdoor activity, nurturing social interactions, and cognitive behavioral therapy can all help people treat depression and anxiety.
Dietary measures may help improve gut health or at least limit IBS symptoms that may induce anxiety. Cutting back on processed and greasy foods, red meat, and alcohol may help, as can eating more colorful fruits, vegetables, and yogurt. Foods such as these may help to stabilize the microbiome.
The best approach may be holistic, treating GI symptoms in unison with mental health symptoms. Instead of going it alone, talk to a doctor about treating both conditions at once, as this may have the greatest benefit.
This article was originally published on BelMarraHealth.com