Does stress cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

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Many people who experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome note that stress often causes them to have an attack. So they ask – “Does stress cause IBS?” In fact, emotional changes cannot cause someone to develop IBS; however, they are known to trigger the symptoms if the condition is already present. And this overreaction of the bowel is not just limited to stress; strong changes in emotions such as strong excitement or sadness can also bring about a reaction.

With IBS, the bowels overreact to all sorts of things: food, exercise, stress, hormones, and other things. If you are experiencing frequent IBS symptoms and wonder if it is stress-related, consider the other factors in your diet and lifestyle. If you are eating milk products, fatty foods, or just large meals, or if you are consuming alcohol or caffeine – know that these foods tend to cause symptoms. Also, women on their menstrual cycle often have more symptoms associated with their Irritable Bowel Syndrome than they do during any other time of the month. Stress can cause the symptoms of IBS to spike; however, it is by no means the only factor in the problem.



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