When problems arise alteration of emotions or digestive systemmost patients visit, on the one hand, the psychologist or psychiatrist and, on the other, the digestive specialist. Both will try to look for repairable physical damage and, if not, they will classify the disorder as a functional disease that is difficult to classify or treat, perhaps due to the very interrelation of both fields.
As doctors, it begins to surprise us that medications designed to treat insomnia, anxiety or stress improve digestive problems. But, in fact, The nerve cell plexuses in the intestine contain the same transmitters that nerve cells use to communicate.
Many intestinal discomforts could be explained by interference between the brain and the intestines.
The nerve plexuses in the abdomen help connect the intestines to emotions. The complex network of intestinal nerve plexuses influences not only digestion but happiness or unfortunately for many patients, it helps to digest food well, to make contact with the outside world and take advantage of the best of it, while helping to defend us from its attacks by activating the immune mechanisms and maintaining the balance of all the intestinal flora.
In linear thinking it is believed that the brain controls the intestines through the vagus nervebut there is no control or command, rather there is an interrelation of coordination and balance between the two, or an imbalance that causes patients to go from the psychologist and psychiatrist to the digestive system specialist.
Functional digestive diseases such as irritable bowel and abdominal pain in children They also usually present anxiety, fatigue, aggression and sleep disturbance.
Balance between emotions and digestion
One of the neurotransmitters most linked to emotions is serotonin. It is synthesized in serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system (10%) but especially in the enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract of animals and humans (almost 90%).
It intervenes in the inhibition of anger and aggression, in the regulation of body temperature, in mood, sleep, vomiting, sexuality and appetite. Its inhibition is directly related to symptoms of depression. In fact, antidepressants are responsible for modifying serotonin levels in the person.
Other psychotropic drugs that cause changes in the brain can cause nausea, diarrhea or constipation. You can use a opioid to relieve pain and this will act on the intestinal receptors producing constipation.
It is true that you can use relaxation, any technique that promotes calm, and psychiatric medications such as anxiolytics to treat digestive problems, but few psychologists and psychiatrists think about treating their patients by taking care of the digestive system, providing them with healthy, balanced and pleasant food.
If our intestine produces benzodiazepines to control insomnia and stress, it likely means that these disorders also depend on the belly.
It is not strange that in traditional oriental medicines like Chinese, Japanese or Ayurveda, the body control center is located in the belly, in the so-called Dan Tien either hara.
From there, the balance of the body is regulated for standing or sitting, but also the psychological balance. From that vortex, likewise, the body coordinates with the energy that surrounds it. Food arrives there and is assimilated, energy is captured and distributed and at the same time emotional balance or imbalance is created.
Digestive problems that talk about your mental health
The good digestion They are also signs of a clear head and balanced psyche. Eating well and defecating freely promotes mental balance. In addition, Moods have an impact on the digestive system.
The digestive organs sometimes reflect unresolved psychological problems that manifest themselves in different forms, from discomfort to illness. These psychosomatic conditions include many cases of stomach inflammation, duodenal and stomach ulcers, as well as various liver, gallbladder and intestine problems and colitis.
They experience this clearly patients who feel overwhelmed by mood problemsconflictive situations, uncertainties and insecurity. It has been seen that patients who poorly manage their emotions or who suffer from alexithymia (inability to identify and express emotions) suffer more digestive problems.
In these cases, dialogue with the doctor can provide clarity and show beneficial paths, both solving emotional problems and taking care of food.
A look at the irritable colon
In conventional medicine, groups of specialists are appearing in digestive disorders who try to practice integrative medicine, since there are many patients who do not find an organic cause for their problems.
The psychoneuroimmunology It is an interdisciplinary scientific field that investigates the mechanisms of interaction and communication between the brain (mind, behavior) and the systems responsible for the homeostatic maintenance of the body, the nervous (central and autonomic), immune and neuroendocrine systems, as well as its clinical implications.
The functional digestive disordersand in particular the irritable bowel syndromee, could be explained from this perspective. In this syndrome there appears to be altered intestinal motility and visceral sensitivity, apparently without any organic alteration.
On endoscopy, the intestinal mucosa is normal. Nevertheless, There are cellular factors that suggest low-grade intestinal inflammation. In addition, other elements are added such as the communication of the intestine with the nervous system, the increase in intestinal permeability and changes in intestinal microbiology, which appear in these patients.
The high number of T lymphocytes influences all of these aspects. It has been suggested that alterations in the levels of these lymphocytes could lead to underlying proinflammatory activity. The body is trying to react and there is something that prevents it, probably related to the patient’s lifestyle.. And, above all, with what you eat and how you eat it.
The study of these people who are not found to have major organic alterations is complicated, but new ways of approaching their diagnosis and treatment are being proposed.
Once organic pathologies have been ruled out, both psychological and dietary care and, in general, a healthier lifestyle are proposed.
Natural aids to connect digestion with emotions
Among the therapeutic techniques that can help connect the digestive part with the emotional part are found:
It may relieve pain by relieving the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system often seen in gastrointestinal problems. Whether in the abdomen or through reflexology, it is very useful in relieving ileus and constipation and, in general, very comforting. It is one of the basic therapies of the Mayr cure.
- Therapeutic manipulation
The release of some points on the spine and the large muscles of the back and trunk decreases their reflex effect in the abdominal region and mitigates pain. traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, acupressure and herbal medicine. They have demonstrated in a double-blind study its usefulness for the colon, with significant improvement in the symptoms of bloating and general well-being in patients.
Multiple studies indicate that energy healing is effective for pain, anxiety, and depression.
- Relaxation and psychotherapy
Given the current knowledge about the cerebrointestinal axis and the associated interactions, it is logical that mind-body treatment is used. Progressive muscle relaxation and breathing exercises, separately or together, They help reduce sympathetic stimulation and promote comfort.
By reducing anxiety related to pain, they demonstrate the psychosomatic phenomenon and the person’s capacity for self-regulation. With directed images, a state of focused attention is achieved in which the mind is more receptive to suggestion. It is used to reduce intestinal discomfort.
The family intervention cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy often includes teaching adaptive, social, and relationship skills.
It suits reduce intake of highly processed foodsespecially those that contain refined carbohydrates (candy, cookies…). If symptoms are suggestive or there is a family history of lactose intolerance, try eliminating all dairy products from the diet for 2 to 4 weeks to see if changes occur. If they do not occur, they are reinstated.
Doctors can help change habits by offering a thorough explanation of the diagnosis, pathophysiology and possible treatments, which reassures the patient and helps them raise awareness. rest. It is useful to work on strategies to promote restful sleep.
Gut emotions and reactions can help the mind when it is upset. You can take the reins by feeling and thinking with your gut.recovering abdominal breathing, feeling the importance of having the ability to breathe. This attention to the belly allows us to activate neurotransmitter centers that secrete the celebration and joy of feeling alive.
Eating, a ritual
What value is given to the act of eating? It can be a simple procedure or become a transcendent ritual act. You can eat standing up and in a hurry, without stopping moving, as if resolving an unfinished business. Or take the time to prepare food, cook, set the table and turn the act of eating into a ritual, which also includes washing the dishes and cleaning up. Every meal can become a small or large party.
Can eat alone or accompaniedand in both cases the experience can be very satisfactory (if the company is not uncomfortable or tense). It has been shown that Family meals provide psychological support and help resolve emotional conflicts. In general, it seems that people who eat alone are more vulnerable to emotional problems. Even worse if all meals are eaten while listening to the news.