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10 min read
How can stress affect your body ?
Ah stress… we all feel it from time to time, but do we know how it can affect and impact our bodies ? Let’s find out together.
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Work related stress
Many of us spend a lot of time working which can be stressful at times. This stress can have a direct impact on your gut’s health. During these situations, the body releases certain stress hormones, which plays a role in the “fight-or-flight” response. It causes the body to divert blood flow from the intestines toward vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, and brain. As a result, intestinal movement slows down, and occasional constipation can occur.
Day-to-day stressors
Although I’m sure all of us try to avoid problematic situations as much as possible, they can happen – and when they do, we can sometimes expect the stress to impact our digestive health. Whether it be stress caused by personal relations, big life changes, or times of uncertainty, your body can react to the stress which can lead to occasional constipation.
Anxious feelings
Anxiety or depression can be factors that cause certain gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation. If you think you have anxiety or depression, please consult your doctor.
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Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep can also have an impact on your bowel functions. When the body is lacking rest, the outcome can be felt in your belly – you may feel bloated, or have a general sense of discomfort.
How does stress trigger occasional constipation ?
“How does stress trigger occasional constipation ?” Now this is a layered question. When you begin to feel stressed, there are hormones that are released by your body in response to the stress. These hormones may alter bowel functions which can contribute to occasional constipation. Also, when a person is under stress, they are more likely to change their lifestyle habits by following an unhealthy diet, doing less exercise and getting less sleep. These factors are big contributors in the disturbance of one’s typical bowel habits.
Second brain (gut-brain axis)
Thanks to science, we have discovered that millions of nerves line the digestive tract. These nerves help control the digestion of food. In periods of stress, disruption to the gut-brain connection (also known as the gut-brain axis) can reduce the speed your food is moving through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to constipation.
Abdominal fullness
When stressed, you may experience a bloated feeling. This could be caused by intestinal permeability: how easily substances pass through the intestinal wall. This permeability allows inflammatory compounds to come into the intestines, which can lead to a feeling of abdominal fullness — a common complaint among people who struggle with constipation.
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Body reaction
When you’re experiencing high levels of stress, your body releases adrenaline. This is the hormone that’s released when your body needs to make a fight-or-flight response. To do so, the body goes into survival mode and diverts the blood flow towards vital organs such as the heart, lungs or brain. As a result, less blood flow is being directed to your digestive system which in turn causes intestinal movements to slow down and potentially trigger constipation.
Tips and tricks to get relief
No one wants to feel overwhelmed or stressed – it’s no fun. If you find yourself constantly feeling stressed, well, there’s no secret: you may want to change a few things in your day-to-day life. Slowly, start noticing how your body reacts to all the changes you make. By reducing the stressors in your life, you’ll allow yourself to feel more at ease in your body and free your mind for the day !
DulcoLax® family of products
DulcoLax® products help your digestive system get moving with gentle overnight or fast relief solutions. Find the DulcoLax® product that’s right for you.
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DulcoLax® Liquid
DulcoLax® Liquid provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax® Liquid.
* relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours
DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids
DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably.
*suitable for kids 4 to under 11
** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.
DulcoLax® Soft Chews
DulcoLax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax®Soft Chews.
* relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours
DulcoLax® Suppositories
DulcoLax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. DulcoLax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly.
DulcoLax® For Women
DulcoLax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.
DulcoLax® Tablets
DulcoLax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.
-
DulcoLax® Liquid
DulcoLax® Liquid provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax® Liquid.
* relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours
DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids
DulcoLax® Soft Chews Kids help kids* to get fast and gentle constipation relief, so they can get back doing the things they love. This great-tasting chew works in as little as 30 minutes*, so parents can help their child with occasional constipation episodes. This laxative works by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools so kids can go comfortably.
*suitable for kids 4 to under 11
** relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours.
DulcoLax® Soft Chews
DulcoLax® Soft Chews provides gentle and fast relief of occasional constipation by increasing water in the bowels to soften stools for easy evacuation. When you need gentle and fast relief in as little as 30 minutes*, reach for DulcoLax®Soft Chews.
* relief in 30 minutes to 6 hours
DulcoLax® Suppositories
DulcoLax® Suppositories are suitable for dependable, fast, and effective relief of occasional constipation. DulcoLax®Suppositories stimulate the bowel muscles while also accumulating water in the intestines. The effect is to soften the stool to make it pass through quickly.
-
DulcoLax® For Women
DulcoLax® for Women are suitable for dependable and gentle overnight relief of occasional constipation.
DulcoLax® Tablets
DulcoLax® Tablets are suitable for dependable and effective overnight relief of occasional constipation.
Stay informed
Occasionnal constipation is a common condition with a wide range of possible causes. We know how unpredictable and frustrating constipation can be, so we are here to help identify the possible causes and teach you how to addres them.
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What are daily habits that can cause occasional constipation ?
Everything is connected and we mean this literally: our body, mind and habits can greatly affect our digestive health. Your daily habits, from the foods you eat to your daily activity level and sleep schedule can affect your bowel movements and the result may be that you get constipated. Fear not, making simple changes to your lifestyle habits can be a helpful first step in preventing occasional constipation.
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How to avoid occasional constipation while traveling ?
It is common for constipation to occur when your life or daily routine changes. Traveling can sometimes trigger changes to your digestive system and as a result your bowel movements. Adapting to new circadian rhythms, new foods and new environments can trigger occasional constipation. Jet lag can also disrupt travelers for several days.
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How can getting older cause constipation ?
About one-third of adults 60 years or older report suffering from constipation. Unfortunately, with age sometimes comes slower digestion. The bowel muscles in the digestive tract need a bit more time to move food and stool through the intestines. The resulting constipation is a commonly reported bowel symptom in the elderly and has a considerable impact on quality of life. It is important to understand how age can change your body and how to adapt to help yourself feel better.
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Occasional constipation during pregnancy
During pregnancy, there is a lot going on, to say the least. The new hormone levels can trigger many changes in the body. Pregnant women frequently suffer from difficult and infrequent bowel movements, hard and dry stools, and discomfort.
- Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School. Stress and The Sensitive Gut. August 21st, 2019. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/stress-and-the-sensitive-gut
- Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. Understanding the Prevalence and Impact of Constipation in Canada A Special Report from the CDHF. February 2014
- Kok-Ann Gwee. Disturbed Sleep and Disturbed Bowel Functions: Implications for Constipation in Healthy Individuals. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011 Apr; 17(2): 108-109
- Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA. Medical News Today. How is stress linked with constipation ? November 12th, 2019. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326970#stress-and-constipation