Psychological Trauma Trigger Digestive Problems

Based on recent research, emotional and psychological trauma experienced by a person during his lifetime, can cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that causes pain in the abdomen, constipation and diarrhea.

Research conducted on 2623 adults who experience emotional or psychological trauma during his lifetime, such as divorce, death of a loved one, car accident, physical or mental violence to become survivors of natural disasters.

Results showed that participants who have a trauma in his life were at greater risk of IBS. However, based on data, causes more psychological trauma of IBS among participants compared to the violence.

The exact cause of IBS is still unknown, but researchers suspect that the irregularities on the nerves and muscles that control bowel. Stress may activate nerves that connect the brain and intestines that cause problems in the intestine.

Yuri Saito-Loftus, researchers at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester explains that psychological trauma during their lifetime, making the brain and intestine-sensitive, which causes both susceptible to stress. So expect this research to help patients understand and manage the symptoms associated with IBS.

"Patients and families often wonder, 'Why me? Why IBS happen to me?'. The research will help them why IBS happens to them, where the stress continues to play a role in IBS symptoms," added Saito-Loftus.