Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGut Reactions to StressIBS and DiarrheaWhat Can You DoWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Gut Reactions to Stress
IBS and Diarrhea
What Can You Do
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
A wide variety of situations can cause diarrhea, includingstressandanxiety.This is because of the physical changes that occur in your body when you are feeling stressed out.This article explains why diarrhea may occur with stress and anxiety and what strategies you can use to avoid this unpleasant and unwanted physical symptom.Verywell / Joshua SeongGut Reactions to StressExperiencingdiarrheawhen you are stressed is directly related to your body’s programmed stress response. This response is called the “fight-or-flight” reaction.What Is Fight-or-Flight?The fight-or-flight reaction is an acute response to stress. When you experience this reaction, your body is responding to a perceived threat. The body reacts with a cascade of physical changes that result from the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in an increased heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and decreased digestion.The fight-or-flight reaction did a great job in helping humans survive as a species, particularly back when people faced things like hungry lions. But this same reaction has become more troublesome in modern times, when many of our stressors are not acute, but ongoing.When you come across something that you perceive as threatening, your body reacts with various physical changes, including digestive changes. For example, when your stress response is activated, your digestion slows so that your body can redirect resources elsewhere.During this reaction, the gut and small intestine slow, but the colon’s activity increases, and as a result, you might experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including diarrhea.RecapThe fight-or-flight response causes changes in the body, including digestive changes like diarrhea.How Stress and Anxiety Cause DiarrheaIBS and DiarrheaPeople who haveirritable bowel syndrome(IBS) can readily attest to stress’s effect on their digestive system. However, it is possible to also experience stress-triggered diarrhea without having IBS.IBS is a syndrome that involves recurrent bouts of abdominal pain and significant and ongoing problems with diarrhea or constipation. Doctorsdiagnose IBSaccording to specific criteria known as theRome criteria.Diagnosing IBS includes a physical exam and tests, which may include:Blood testsFecal testingAllergy testingImaging tests of the intestine or colon (like acolonoscopyorsigmoidoscopy)If stress-related diarrhea only happens once in a while, you are likely having a natural stress reaction. However, if it happens pretty frequently, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis, as other health conditions can cause you to experience diarrhea when under stress.RecapSometimes, but not always, stress can trigger IBS. For example, if your diarrhea is frequent and recurrent, a doctor may want to confirm if IBS is the cause. Diagnosis may include blood tests, fecal testing, allergy testing, and imaging tests.What Can You DoYou do not have to tolerate anxiety-triggered diarrhea. There are a variety of stress management techniques you can use to help your body become more resilient in its response to outside stressors.If you are under significant stress a lot of the time, take an objective look at your life to see if you can make any changes toreduce your overall stress level. In addition, some day-to-day mindfulness habits may help.Yoga and MeditationTwo activities that may reduce your body’s baseline anxiety level areyogaand meditation.Regularly practicing one or both of these might help you deal more effectively with the stressful situations in your life.Relaxation TechniquesThere are also some relaxation techniques that you can use “on the spot” to help your body turn downthe stress response. Doing so might quiet down your bowels, sparing you from further diarrhea episodes.These techniques include:VisualizationDeep breathing exercisesMuscle relaxation exercisesLike all skills, these relaxation exercises are more effective when practiced regularly.PsychotherapyIt may be helpful to initiate some psychotherapy to help you better manage the stresses and challenges that are contributing to your stress-induced diarrhea.When to See a Healthcare ProviderEven if you are relatively sure that stress is the culprit, you should discuss any unusual physical complaint with your healthcare provider. Doing so will help ensure that no other health condition is contributing to the problem.Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:Blood in stoolsor any sign of rectal bleedingDehydrationFever over 102 F or fever that lasts more than three daysRectal bleedingSevere abdominal painSummaryStress can sometimes lead to diarrhea. That’s because part of the fight-or-flight response involves diverting energy from the digestive tract to elsewhere in the body. Sometimes, this can result in symptoms like diarrhea. In addition, stress can sometimes trigger diarrhea in IBS. If you experience diarrhea frequently, you should see a healthcare provider to confirm whether or not health conditions may be contributing.A Word From VerywellDiarrhea can be an inconvenient and embarrassing problem. But, there are some things you can do if you experience stress-induced diarrhea. Lowering your stress may be easier said than done, but things like yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy can help. Also, if you have frequent bouts of stress-induced diarrhea, be sure to contact a healthcare provider to rule out other health conditions.Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, severeanxiety and stresscan cause nausea and in some cases vomiting. Stress can also lead to bloating and other types of stomach discomfort.Yes, stress can lead to constipation. The exact reason for this is not conclusive, but it is theorized that stress affects the brain-gut axis, which in turn changes gastrointestinal functions to cause constipation.The brain-gut axis is a communicative link between the brain and digestive system that allows for bodily information to be exchanged.Yes, there are certain diseases that have been linked to chronic stress, including heart disease, headaches, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, as well as several gastrointestinal disorders.
A wide variety of situations can cause diarrhea, includingstressandanxiety.This is because of the physical changes that occur in your body when you are feeling stressed out.
This article explains why diarrhea may occur with stress and anxiety and what strategies you can use to avoid this unpleasant and unwanted physical symptom.
Verywell / Joshua Seong
Experiencingdiarrheawhen you are stressed is directly related to your body’s programmed stress response. This response is called the “fight-or-flight” reaction.
What Is Fight-or-Flight?The fight-or-flight reaction is an acute response to stress. When you experience this reaction, your body is responding to a perceived threat. The body reacts with a cascade of physical changes that result from the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in an increased heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and decreased digestion.
What Is Fight-or-Flight?
The fight-or-flight reaction is an acute response to stress. When you experience this reaction, your body is responding to a perceived threat. The body reacts with a cascade of physical changes that result from the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in an increased heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and decreased digestion.
The fight-or-flight reaction did a great job in helping humans survive as a species, particularly back when people faced things like hungry lions. But this same reaction has become more troublesome in modern times, when many of our stressors are not acute, but ongoing.
When you come across something that you perceive as threatening, your body reacts with various physical changes, including digestive changes. For example, when your stress response is activated, your digestion slows so that your body can redirect resources elsewhere.During this reaction, the gut and small intestine slow, but the colon’s activity increases, and as a result, you might experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including diarrhea.
RecapThe fight-or-flight response causes changes in the body, including digestive changes like diarrhea.
Recap
The fight-or-flight response causes changes in the body, including digestive changes like diarrhea.
How Stress and Anxiety Cause Diarrhea
People who haveirritable bowel syndrome(IBS) can readily attest to stress’s effect on their digestive system. However, it is possible to also experience stress-triggered diarrhea without having IBS.
IBS is a syndrome that involves recurrent bouts of abdominal pain and significant and ongoing problems with diarrhea or constipation. Doctorsdiagnose IBSaccording to specific criteria known as theRome criteria.
Diagnosing IBS includes a physical exam and tests, which may include:
If stress-related diarrhea only happens once in a while, you are likely having a natural stress reaction. However, if it happens pretty frequently, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis, as other health conditions can cause you to experience diarrhea when under stress.
RecapSometimes, but not always, stress can trigger IBS. For example, if your diarrhea is frequent and recurrent, a doctor may want to confirm if IBS is the cause. Diagnosis may include blood tests, fecal testing, allergy testing, and imaging tests.
Sometimes, but not always, stress can trigger IBS. For example, if your diarrhea is frequent and recurrent, a doctor may want to confirm if IBS is the cause. Diagnosis may include blood tests, fecal testing, allergy testing, and imaging tests.
You do not have to tolerate anxiety-triggered diarrhea. There are a variety of stress management techniques you can use to help your body become more resilient in its response to outside stressors.
If you are under significant stress a lot of the time, take an objective look at your life to see if you can make any changes toreduce your overall stress level. In addition, some day-to-day mindfulness habits may help.
Yoga and Meditation
Two activities that may reduce your body’s baseline anxiety level areyogaand meditation.Regularly practicing one or both of these might help you deal more effectively with the stressful situations in your life.
Relaxation Techniques
There are also some relaxation techniques that you can use “on the spot” to help your body turn downthe stress response. Doing so might quiet down your bowels, sparing you from further diarrhea episodes.
These techniques include:
Like all skills, these relaxation exercises are more effective when practiced regularly.
Psychotherapy
It may be helpful to initiate some psychotherapy to help you better manage the stresses and challenges that are contributing to your stress-induced diarrhea.
Even if you are relatively sure that stress is the culprit, you should discuss any unusual physical complaint with your healthcare provider. Doing so will help ensure that no other health condition is contributing to the problem.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
Summary
Stress can sometimes lead to diarrhea. That’s because part of the fight-or-flight response involves diverting energy from the digestive tract to elsewhere in the body. Sometimes, this can result in symptoms like diarrhea. In addition, stress can sometimes trigger diarrhea in IBS. If you experience diarrhea frequently, you should see a healthcare provider to confirm whether or not health conditions may be contributing.
A Word From Verywell
Diarrhea can be an inconvenient and embarrassing problem. But, there are some things you can do if you experience stress-induced diarrhea. Lowering your stress may be easier said than done, but things like yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy can help. Also, if you have frequent bouts of stress-induced diarrhea, be sure to contact a healthcare provider to rule out other health conditions.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, severeanxiety and stresscan cause nausea and in some cases vomiting. Stress can also lead to bloating and other types of stomach discomfort.Yes, stress can lead to constipation. The exact reason for this is not conclusive, but it is theorized that stress affects the brain-gut axis, which in turn changes gastrointestinal functions to cause constipation.The brain-gut axis is a communicative link between the brain and digestive system that allows for bodily information to be exchanged.Yes, there are certain diseases that have been linked to chronic stress, including heart disease, headaches, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, as well as several gastrointestinal disorders.
Yes, severeanxiety and stresscan cause nausea and in some cases vomiting. Stress can also lead to bloating and other types of stomach discomfort.
Yes, stress can lead to constipation. The exact reason for this is not conclusive, but it is theorized that stress affects the brain-gut axis, which in turn changes gastrointestinal functions to cause constipation.The brain-gut axis is a communicative link between the brain and digestive system that allows for bodily information to be exchanged.
Yes, there are certain diseases that have been linked to chronic stress, including heart disease, headaches, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, as well as several gastrointestinal disorders.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chang Y, El-Zataari M, Kao J.Does stress induce bowel dysfunction?Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol.2014; 8(6): 583–585. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911659American Psychological Association.APA Dictionary of Psychology: Fight-or-Flight Response.Bringham Young University.Stress and the Digestive System.Lacy B, Patel N.Rome Criteria and a Diagnostic Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.J Clin Med.2017;6(11):99. doi:10.3390/jcm6110099Korzenik J.Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Psychological Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(4):856-857. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.013Ghassemi KA, Jensen DM.Lower GI bleeding: epidemiology and management.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2013;15(7):333. doi:10.1007/s11894-013-0333-5American Psychological Association.Stress Effects on the Body.Devanarayana N, Rajindrajith S.Association between Constipation and Stressful Life Events in a Cohort of Sri Lankan Children and Adolescents. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. 2010;56(3).144–148. doi:10.1093/tropej/fmp077Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Severi C.The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):203-209. PMID:25830558Additional ReadingChang L.The Role of Stress on Physiologic Responses and Clinical Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Gastroenterology. 2011;140(3). doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2011.01.032National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diarrhea.Sarna SK.Colonic Motility: From Bench Side to Bedside. San Rafael: Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chang Y, El-Zataari M, Kao J.Does stress induce bowel dysfunction?Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol.2014; 8(6): 583–585. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911659American Psychological Association.APA Dictionary of Psychology: Fight-or-Flight Response.Bringham Young University.Stress and the Digestive System.Lacy B, Patel N.Rome Criteria and a Diagnostic Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.J Clin Med.2017;6(11):99. doi:10.3390/jcm6110099Korzenik J.Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Psychological Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(4):856-857. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.013Ghassemi KA, Jensen DM.Lower GI bleeding: epidemiology and management.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2013;15(7):333. doi:10.1007/s11894-013-0333-5American Psychological Association.Stress Effects on the Body.Devanarayana N, Rajindrajith S.Association between Constipation and Stressful Life Events in a Cohort of Sri Lankan Children and Adolescents. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. 2010;56(3).144–148. doi:10.1093/tropej/fmp077Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Severi C.The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):203-209. PMID:25830558Additional ReadingChang L.The Role of Stress on Physiologic Responses and Clinical Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Gastroenterology. 2011;140(3). doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2011.01.032National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diarrhea.Sarna SK.Colonic Motility: From Bench Side to Bedside. San Rafael: Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chang Y, El-Zataari M, Kao J.Does stress induce bowel dysfunction?Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol.2014; 8(6): 583–585. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911659American Psychological Association.APA Dictionary of Psychology: Fight-or-Flight Response.Bringham Young University.Stress and the Digestive System.Lacy B, Patel N.Rome Criteria and a Diagnostic Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.J Clin Med.2017;6(11):99. doi:10.3390/jcm6110099Korzenik J.Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Psychological Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(4):856-857. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.013Ghassemi KA, Jensen DM.Lower GI bleeding: epidemiology and management.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2013;15(7):333. doi:10.1007/s11894-013-0333-5American Psychological Association.Stress Effects on the Body.Devanarayana N, Rajindrajith S.Association between Constipation and Stressful Life Events in a Cohort of Sri Lankan Children and Adolescents. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. 2010;56(3).144–148. doi:10.1093/tropej/fmp077Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Severi C.The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):203-209. PMID:25830558
Chang Y, El-Zataari M, Kao J.Does stress induce bowel dysfunction?Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol.2014; 8(6): 583–585. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911659
American Psychological Association.APA Dictionary of Psychology: Fight-or-Flight Response.
Bringham Young University.Stress and the Digestive System.
Lacy B, Patel N.Rome Criteria and a Diagnostic Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.J Clin Med.2017;6(11):99. doi:10.3390/jcm6110099
Korzenik J.Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Psychological Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.Gastroenterology. 2019;156(4):856-857. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.02.013
Ghassemi KA, Jensen DM.Lower GI bleeding: epidemiology and management.Curr Gastroenterol Rep.2013;15(7):333. doi:10.1007/s11894-013-0333-5
American Psychological Association.Stress Effects on the Body.
Devanarayana N, Rajindrajith S.Association between Constipation and Stressful Life Events in a Cohort of Sri Lankan Children and Adolescents. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics. 2010;56(3).144–148. doi:10.1093/tropej/fmp077
Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Severi C.The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):203-209. PMID:25830558
Chang L.The Role of Stress on Physiologic Responses and Clinical Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Gastroenterology. 2011;140(3). doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2011.01.032National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diarrhea.Sarna SK.Colonic Motility: From Bench Side to Bedside. San Rafael: Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences.
Chang L.The Role of Stress on Physiologic Responses and Clinical Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Gastroenterology. 2011;140(3). doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2011.01.032
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diarrhea.
Sarna SK.Colonic Motility: From Bench Side to Bedside. San Rafael: Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences.
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