Hi All,
Could it be that what the medical profession chooses to call "IBS", is simply a result of the body's reaction to stress. Consider the statistics from the article at the following link, which is based on an article in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, published online February 16, 2010:
In this study, bowel disorders among 399 nurses were studied. In this cohort of subjects, 214 worked straight days, 110 worked straight nights, and 75 rotated between day and night shifts.
48 percent of the nurses working rotating shifts, reported symptoms of IBS.
40 percent of the nurses working straight nights, reported symptoms of IBS.
31 percent of the nurses working straight days, reported IBS symptoms
Typically, less than about 20 percent of the general population, report IBS symptoms, by comparison.
Regardless of their work schedules, the nurses with "IBS", reported sleeping badly, having trouble falling asleep, and daytime sleepiness. The nurses working night shifts, and rotating shifts, were also more likely to report abdominal pain or discomfort than those who worked straight day shifts.
So what does all this describe? It appears to be a no-brainer to me. What is called IBS, appears to be a direct response to stress. It's not surprising that 20% if the population has stress issues severe enough to cause digestive system upset. There's also little reason to question the observation that nurses have very stressful jobs, (more stressful, on the average, than the general population). Obviously, when someone is required to work the night shift, additional stress is going to be generated, if for no other reason, due to the fact that the body's normal circadian rhythm is going to be disrupted, and normal sleep patterns will be drastically altered. When shift work is rotated, the additional stress is even greater, since the body is not allowed an opportunity to become acclimated to a schedule, before the schedule is changed again.
Looking at the statistics that this study found, the evidence is pretty clear that the results are simply indicative of an escalating scale of stress. Since stress alone, appears to be a clear marker of the potential for the development of IBS symptoms, then all other details, (other potential causes), are redundant, and therefore irrelevant. Ergo, IBS, is simply a measure of the body's response to stress. Obviously, this theory needs to be confirmed by one or more carefully controlled scientific studies, but the empirical evidence appears to be pretty strong, and it suggests that all other potential causes, may be statistically irrelevant.
The medical profession can blame it on all sorts of things if they want, but clearly, the stress level alone, adequately defines the risk. IOW, if one specifies the level of stress on an individual, that criterion alone appears to be sufficient, (by scientific definition), to define the risk, (and therefore the probability), of developing the "syndrome" known as "IBS". At least that's the way I see it.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62130120100302
Tex
Is "IBS" Simply The Body's Reaction To Stress?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Is "IBS" Simply The Body's Reaction To Stress?
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Tex,
One of the things that helped my "IBS" symptoms was a cream that broke down some of the cortisol my body was making which in turn reduced my cramps. I was having a terrible time sleeping and dealing with daily pain which I think contributed to elevated cortisol levels. Inflammation also raises cortisol levels. Stress could lower our immune systems causing bacteria or parasites to get the upper hand. I think you are right about the stress which can be emotional or physical.
Love,
Cristi
One of the things that helped my "IBS" symptoms was a cream that broke down some of the cortisol my body was making which in turn reduced my cramps. I was having a terrible time sleeping and dealing with daily pain which I think contributed to elevated cortisol levels. Inflammation also raises cortisol levels. Stress could lower our immune systems causing bacteria or parasites to get the upper hand. I think you are right about the stress which can be emotional or physical.
Love,
Cristi
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
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further to this - prior to my mc diagnosis, for 3 years or so i had issues where my body wasnt producing enough cortisol when the body was under stress. the doctors could not explain why, and their conclusion was 'avoid stress'.
as i mentioned in a post last week. at the moment for me, i think stress is more a trigger for D than some foods.
i think i have figured out that if i am stressed then the foods in the 'have occaisionaly' bucket affect me.
i will add cortisol to my research list.....
as i mentioned in a post last week. at the moment for me, i think stress is more a trigger for D than some foods.
i think i have figured out that if i am stressed then the foods in the 'have occaisionaly' bucket affect me.
i will add cortisol to my research list.....
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Cristi,
I agree with what you posted. I'm not saying that bacteria or parasites are never present with IBS, I'm just saying that if they are present, it's because stress helps to create a chemical environment which enhances their ability to become established, or otherwise enables them to gain a foothold. IOW, I'm saying that bacteria or parasites are secondary to stress, rather than a primary cause of IBS.
Love,
Tex
I agree with what you posted. I'm not saying that bacteria or parasites are never present with IBS, I'm just saying that if they are present, it's because stress helps to create a chemical environment which enhances their ability to become established, or otherwise enables them to gain a foothold. IOW, I'm saying that bacteria or parasites are secondary to stress, rather than a primary cause of IBS.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi All,
Interesting study but it would not surprise most in the medical profession. Physicians are used to seeing conditions of unknown cause that may indeed be caused by stress. And many patients would prefer to entertain a "medical" diagnosis before being told that their symptoms are due to stress. They don't like to think that their problems are "in their head" or due to an inability to handle stress appropriately. Just my 2 cents worth.
Love,
Polly
Interesting study but it would not surprise most in the medical profession. Physicians are used to seeing conditions of unknown cause that may indeed be caused by stress. And many patients would prefer to entertain a "medical" diagnosis before being told that their symptoms are due to stress. They don't like to think that their problems are "in their head" or due to an inability to handle stress appropriately. Just my 2 cents worth.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
some basics on stress:
1. Alarm Reaction
Arousal is initiated by hypothalamus by release of endorphins, the natural painkillers. At the same time, adrenaline is secreted by the adrenal glands. Adrenaline causes palpitations, increased blood pressure and release of vital nutrients. It also causes muscle tension and makes breathing faster and shallower. Nor adrenaline is also secreted, and is associated with positive ecstatic arousal. Another hormone, cortisol, converts glycogen stored in the liver into blood sugar, thus stimulating the brain and whole body with instant energy. In males, the hormone testosterone is released, and provides the required surge of strength. Thyroxin, released by thyroid gland, stimulates the metabolic system and regulates the oxygen consumption. Our digestive system slows down, as blood is diverted to essential organs required to meet the immediate threat
2. Resistance
The heart rate, respiratory rate and metabolic activities come down to a maintenance level; the body is still ready and alert. More cortisole, thyroxin etc are released to speed up the tissue repair, which may have been damaged during stress.
3. State of Exhaustion
Emotions such as anger, anxiety and impatience etc are continuous stress stimulators, and without our knowledge, our body is put in (and stays in!) a 'fight' mode. Overdose of adrenaline often cause irritability and uneasiness. Nor adrenaline excess makes us feel disconnected and high. Too much of cortisol will suppress the immune system, making us vulnerable to a host of diseases.
1. Alarm Reaction
Arousal is initiated by hypothalamus by release of endorphins, the natural painkillers. At the same time, adrenaline is secreted by the adrenal glands. Adrenaline causes palpitations, increased blood pressure and release of vital nutrients. It also causes muscle tension and makes breathing faster and shallower. Nor adrenaline is also secreted, and is associated with positive ecstatic arousal. Another hormone, cortisol, converts glycogen stored in the liver into blood sugar, thus stimulating the brain and whole body with instant energy. In males, the hormone testosterone is released, and provides the required surge of strength. Thyroxin, released by thyroid gland, stimulates the metabolic system and regulates the oxygen consumption. Our digestive system slows down, as blood is diverted to essential organs required to meet the immediate threat
2. Resistance
The heart rate, respiratory rate and metabolic activities come down to a maintenance level; the body is still ready and alert. More cortisole, thyroxin etc are released to speed up the tissue repair, which may have been damaged during stress.
3. State of Exhaustion
Emotions such as anger, anxiety and impatience etc are continuous stress stimulators, and without our knowledge, our body is put in (and stays in!) a 'fight' mode. Overdose of adrenaline often cause irritability and uneasiness. Nor adrenaline excess makes us feel disconnected and high. Too much of cortisol will suppress the immune system, making us vulnerable to a host of diseases.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
lots of articles about too much cortisol and impact on digestion....
Digestive Function
Millions of people suffer from bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux and other irritable bowel problems. All of these can be linked to stress and cortisol.
The reason for this is simple… when you’re under stress, you produce more cortisol. Constant surges in cortisol erodes the intestinal lining of your digestive tract. It begins to irritate and inflame your intestinal lining, which can ultimately lead to ulcerations in your digestive tract. These ulcerations make it easier for undigested food particles to pass or leak across your intestinal lining, into your blood stream. When this happens, it makes your body more susceptible to food allergies and other harmful pathogens such as; yeast overgrowth, candida, and parasites. These things are commonly, associated with bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn and irritable bowel problems.
Digestive Function
Millions of people suffer from bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux and other irritable bowel problems. All of these can be linked to stress and cortisol.
The reason for this is simple… when you’re under stress, you produce more cortisol. Constant surges in cortisol erodes the intestinal lining of your digestive tract. It begins to irritate and inflame your intestinal lining, which can ultimately lead to ulcerations in your digestive tract. These ulcerations make it easier for undigested food particles to pass or leak across your intestinal lining, into your blood stream. When this happens, it makes your body more susceptible to food allergies and other harmful pathogens such as; yeast overgrowth, candida, and parasites. These things are commonly, associated with bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn and irritable bowel problems.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hi all, glad to see some concensus relating stress to IBS. As long as I can remember, stressful events such as a new job, pressure to perform when I didn't have the tools to do so, generally being "under the gun" would make my gut react negatively. This has not just happened one or two times; it is the pattern of my life, and I have sought counseling for it more than once. When life leads you to a "I wish I weren't here...I've got to get out of here" feeling, but you are "stuck" in a situation....the longer you stay in it, the longer the gut rebels. Some folks just have a "nervous stomach" more to the extreme. Not rocket science. I can relate every "flare" of LC I have ever had to some new mighty stressful situation. By the same token, even tho I have a somewhat "delicate" nature, shy, self-conscious, only child, artist, introvert....you get the picture....from time to time I put myself out there and take a bite out of life and away from my comfort zone....like moving to a new town, different job, new challenge, and push myself to conquer my fears. When it's too much, the gut is the first thing to rebel and kick me back into my corner. I digress.... Long story short, yep, stress can knock you for a loop, and if the symptoms get too bad for too long, we seek out a doctor looking for answers, and sometimes find them. Other times, things just play themselves out. But the medical profession, seeing these things on a regular basis, have named this, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IMHO. But being I have been diagnosed with LC, I really don't know if the chemical result of this type of stress produces the irritation seen on biopsy with LC. Sylvia
Do good or do not
I'm going with Tex here on his assessment. I have come to believe through years of research on bacteria because of my own health issues prior to my dx w/MC in Oct., that there is a direct correlation between stress and the body's inability to handle whatever unfriendly bacteria is already present - whether it be MAP or....whatever bacteria that has been allowed in because of untreated gluten sensitivity.I agree with what you posted. I'm not saying that bacteria or parasites are never present with IBS, I'm just saying that if they are present, it's because stress helps to create a chemical environment which enhances their ability to become established, or otherwise enables them to gain a foothold. IOW, I'm saying that bacteria or parasites are secondary to stress, rather than a primary cause of IBS.
I had a very difficult childhood, my first physical symptoms that I can date, of what finally became MC, were when I was 9. I left home at 18 and from then on whenever I had to go to holiday celebrations, etc. I would get D, followed by yeast infections, zits, UTI's, you name it, the prior week. At 40 I decided it was my family that was making me sick and I cut myself off from most of the family. For the next 13 years I actually felt pretty good, except for the symptoms of arthritis, etc. and then within the next 7 years the two siblings I was closest to committed suicide and I can pretty well trace the beginning of my 2 1/2 years of non-stop D, followed by my MC dx, to the last suicide.
Stress continues to be a trigger even today, being GF for over 6 mos. With my daughter here visiting w/her baby now, and "family" events occurring this week, I figured that two main presentations of the last 5 years would likely come back - and they have. I get a fungus in my nose and ears. It is like clockwork. No antibiotic has ever killed this fungus or whatever it is, so I can only assume that the stress lets the bacteria or fungus take over until the stressor is gone.
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
It's tough to argue with that kind of solid evidence. I have to agree, that pretty well validates my point.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi,
I agree that your story is pretty convincing. I am sorry for all you have been through. I also wonder if our threshold gets lower when we are physically compromised either from fungus, parasites or virus. Obviously we can't constantly be taking antibiotics so I am hoping herbs will keep mine in check so that normal stress reduction techniques like walking or meditating will be helpful as well....maybe raise my threshold.
Love,
Cristi
I agree that your story is pretty convincing. I am sorry for all you have been through. I also wonder if our threshold gets lower when we are physically compromised either from fungus, parasites or virus. Obviously we can't constantly be taking antibiotics so I am hoping herbs will keep mine in check so that normal stress reduction techniques like walking or meditating will be helpful as well....maybe raise my threshold.
Love,
Cristi
Cristi,
My life has been a challenge, I imagine it could have been much worse, compared to what others in the world have had to live with in wars and famine. It is what it is and in retrospect it could have been much worse, had I not been the angry and stubborn person I am.
Stress is a very interesting state of being and I have learned a lot about it in the years since my sister & brother died. There are many ways to deal with it and I dealt with my family issues, finally, in a way that I knew I needed to. My job and intimate life is no different than most people have to deal with. I am a freelancer, so I can pick and choose who I work for. In years past I would take jobs with production companies knowing that I would be abused by them, I don't do that anymore. I don't need to do that. It isn't healthy for me. I am in charge of my career now and frankly it has been much more satisfying and profitable once I cut the abusers out of my client list. We all have to stand up for ourselves and believe that what we have to offer is valuable, or the people who cut the checks won't believe it.
I am loving having my daughter and grandson here, my house is the hub of all activity, as it has been all my "mom" years. We had a great event here yesterday, a reunion of many of her friends, some who go back to kindergarten, it was a beautiful and healing day for many of the girls - as life has not been so kind to all of them, but the love and friendship they have for each other is still there - this being their 20th HS Anniv. year. They are not kids, but 5 of them have babies under 4 mos. old. Hosting/catering it was work, but it was fun, and I guess relates to my state of mind as in past years this would have pushed me over the edge worrying about things being perfect.
I think what I've learned in the past few years is that striving for perfection and being resentful isn't good for anyone. My job is enormously complicated and unpredictable, but the reality is that we all want the same thing and I can be resentful and angry or I can just tell myself that I am doing the best I can do and it is enough. I know I do good work, I know I have the best intentions. Anything else isn't in my control.
Truly I have not mastered this yet, but I have gotten much better at saying no. Thanks for the validation, Tex, it means a lot.
My life has been a challenge, I imagine it could have been much worse, compared to what others in the world have had to live with in wars and famine. It is what it is and in retrospect it could have been much worse, had I not been the angry and stubborn person I am.
Stress is a very interesting state of being and I have learned a lot about it in the years since my sister & brother died. There are many ways to deal with it and I dealt with my family issues, finally, in a way that I knew I needed to. My job and intimate life is no different than most people have to deal with. I am a freelancer, so I can pick and choose who I work for. In years past I would take jobs with production companies knowing that I would be abused by them, I don't do that anymore. I don't need to do that. It isn't healthy for me. I am in charge of my career now and frankly it has been much more satisfying and profitable once I cut the abusers out of my client list. We all have to stand up for ourselves and believe that what we have to offer is valuable, or the people who cut the checks won't believe it.
I am loving having my daughter and grandson here, my house is the hub of all activity, as it has been all my "mom" years. We had a great event here yesterday, a reunion of many of her friends, some who go back to kindergarten, it was a beautiful and healing day for many of the girls - as life has not been so kind to all of them, but the love and friendship they have for each other is still there - this being their 20th HS Anniv. year. They are not kids, but 5 of them have babies under 4 mos. old. Hosting/catering it was work, but it was fun, and I guess relates to my state of mind as in past years this would have pushed me over the edge worrying about things being perfect.
I think what I've learned in the past few years is that striving for perfection and being resentful isn't good for anyone. My job is enormously complicated and unpredictable, but the reality is that we all want the same thing and I can be resentful and angry or I can just tell myself that I am doing the best I can do and it is enough. I know I do good work, I know I have the best intentions. Anything else isn't in my control.
Truly I have not mastered this yet, but I have gotten much better at saying no. Thanks for the validation, Tex, it means a lot.
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Hi Sylvia,
Nothing better than having the "kids" home for a visit. I really admire how you are learning how to not be a perfectionist and not trying to control things out of your control. I know those are things I struggle to stop doing as well. I am the oldest child in my family and I wonder if this is a struggle for a lot of us.
Love,
Cristi
Nothing better than having the "kids" home for a visit. I really admire how you are learning how to not be a perfectionist and not trying to control things out of your control. I know those are things I struggle to stop doing as well. I am the oldest child in my family and I wonder if this is a struggle for a lot of us.
Love,
Cristi