Digestive drama during quarantine

Nicole Ceil is not a medical doctor, and nothing herein constitutes medical advice or a patient-provider relationship. Please consult your healthcare provider before undertaking a healthcare regimen. Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking treatment. 

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Digestive drama - at some point we've all experienced unpleasant symptoms such a heartburn, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, or constipation. Sometimes we can easily pinpoint the cause, perhaps a food we are sensitive to, a new supplement or medication, or a a few too many cocktails.

But sometimes the cause is mysterious...or is it?

When your digestion feels off and you don't know the why, check in and ask yourself if you're under any stress right now.

And if you’re reading this in the summer of 2020, the answer is yes, you’re definitely under stress right now, adjusting to the new normal of a global pandemic and social and political uprisings literally re-writing the future of the country.

I’ve had more than a few clients getting in touch, telling me that old digestive symptoms, previously well managed with diet and lifestyle are cropping up. One of the biggest culprits here is stress, and so I thought I’d share an inside peak at what’s really going on in your digestive system when stress becomes chronic.

Stress is the body's physical response to any stimulus that changes the status quo or requires a reaction. Stress can be positive (a promotion, a new puppy, a great workout) OR stress can be negative (a fight with your partner, financial pressure, exposure to chemicals in cleaning products).

What all stressors have in common, is that they raise levels of a particular hormone in the body called Cortisol. In proper amounts, Cortisol helps us take action and face our stress. However, too much Cortisol, or prolonged Cortisol exposure tells our digestive system to turn off!

This is because the body interprets all stress as urgent. Think back to paleolithic times - a caveman wouldn't have the luxury of stopping to eat while running from a saber toothed tiger. When digestion shuts off, symptoms come up, reminding us that this is no time to be stopping for a snack.

Finding ways to reduce stress, specifically before and during mealtimes can offer significant relief from stress induced digestive symptoms. Here are some strategies:

Eat your meals in a peaceful setting
Eat in the company of people you like
Minimize distractions such as TV, computer, smartphone, or loud music
Avoid eating in the car, standing up, or on the go
Don't rush - chew each bite thoroughly

Customized for our current situation, I’d include some additions suggestions:

Set boundaries around how much network news you consume
Same goes for social media such as Facebook or Instagram
Agree not to discuss emotional topics over the dinner table

If you’re taking all these steps to manage stress and still experiencing digestive drama, it’s time to look deeper. Digestive upset can be caused by food allergies, microbiome imbalances, or nutrient deficiencies. We have tools such as functional testing available in the office to get to the root of digestive issues. Remote appointment are available via secure video chat.