Gastrointestinal disorders are often related to dietary issues or some underlying medical condition that the person has, however, another factor that can cause problems in this area is work stress.
In fact, according to the Latin American Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, the highest incidence rates are among young people between the ages of 25 and 35.
Dr. Francisco Rodríguez, gastrointestinal surgeon at La Serena Hospital and Red Salud Elqui Clinic and professor at the University of Alba, noted that “mental changes are common in digestive diseases, with a prevalence of 42% respectively. and 61%”.
According to experts, research shows that about 60% of patients who suffer from anxiety or depression due to work are the most likely to experience changes in intestinal function.
A statement from the University of Alba said that stress, anxiety or being overwhelmed may trigger or exacerbate gastrointestinal disorders, which mainly affect the stomach due to inflammation of the mucosa.
- Irritable bowel syndrome: This disorder can present with abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease: This is a type of acid reflux that can cause heartburn. In this case, stress can increase the production of stomach acid, which can worsen symptoms.
- Gastritis: One of the most common stomach diseases. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach wall that can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- Constipation: Stress can make bowel movements difficult, leading to constipation.
The same statement from the World Labor Organization (ILO) noted that competition for jobs among young workers can lead to workplace stress.
The main call from experts is to see a doctor if these types of problems persist, as intestinal disorders can also be caused by other factors.
somatization of disease
Andrea Godoy, a psychologist at Bupa’s Santiago Clinic, explains that many times physical illness has its roots in the mind, which is called somatization of illness.
This occurs when people experience stressful, stressful or excessively worrying situations, causing the body to show signs of saturation.
“Somatization occurs as a result of the interconnectedness between the mind and body. When a person is chronically exposed to stress, negative thoughts, mood disorders, and anxiety, cortisol and adrenaline are released, and these hormones trigger a series of physical reaction.” The psychologist pointed out.
Professionals add that the somatization of the disease can manifest as chest pain, muscle tension, difficulty breathing, the aforementioned gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, fatigue, etc.
A profile of the people most likely to somatize is as follows:
- They worry and become anxious easily.
- They tend to meet perfectionistic and self-demanding standards.
- They have experienced traumatic events in the past or present.
- They have low self-esteem or lack of self-confidence.
- They often worry excessively about their health and develop hypochondriasis.
- They are very impatient, competitive, goal-oriented and forget about the balance between different areas.