Lucknow: Dr. Sumit Rungta, chairman of the Department of Gastroenterology at King George’s Medical University, said daily stress can disrupt brain-gut interactions, leading to gastrointestinal diseases. He made the remarks at a press conference at the opening ceremony of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology Congress 2023 in Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing the conference, Dr Rungta explained: “A sedentary lifestyle, consumption of junk food and increasing stress are leading to an increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).”
Dr Puneet Mehrotra, organizing chairperson of the two-day conference slated to begin on October 6, added: “Stress disrupts the normal communication between our brain and gut. This disruption affects normal digestion, causing people to have trouble eating during meals. Frequent needing to go to the bathroom afterward is one of the symptoms of an imbalance between the brain and the gut.”
Traditionally, fatty liver disease has been primarily associated with alcohol consumption or hepatitis B and C. Now, however, fatty liver disease is becoming more common in people who make poor lifestyle choices.
Dr. Mehrotra and Dr. Rungta also highlighted that changing dietary habits are an important factor in this trend. “Previously, millet was a staple in our diet, but now, with the emergence of fast food as a dietary option, stomach-related diseases have also emerged,” they explained.
The upcoming conference will feature physicians from across the country and will include sessions on eating habits and stress management.
As a serious consequence, stress can reduce blood flow and oxygen supply to the stomach, leading to cramping, inflammation, or an imbalance of gut bacteria. It may also trigger irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
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