Q When I'm very stressed, my stomach seems to hurt more. Why is that?
A The brain and gut are directly connected by the autonomic nerves, so emotional tension leads to abnormal bowel motility and increased visceral hypersensitivity. This is called a brain-gut axis abnormality.
Detailed Answer
The gut has hundreds of millions of nerve cells and is called the "second brain." When you're stressed, signals from the brain are transmitted to the gut via the autonomic nerves, making bowel motility irregular and raising sensitivity to visceral pain. As a result, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation appear together, even from stimuli you normally wouldn't feel.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, this is seen as liver-qi stagnation (肝氣鬱結)—a state in which emotional tension suppresses the digestive system. Treatment that releases the liver's qi to revive the gut's circulation and motility is effective for stress-related abdominal pain.
Related FAQs
-
Q
I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Does Korean medicine treatment actually help?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
What exactly is the Detox Pill (Haedok-hwan)? Is it different from ordinary laxatives?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
Along with abdominal pain, my stomach is bloated and I have recurring diarrhea. Are these the same problem?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
I have an elderly mother in the Dongincheon area who suffers from digestive problems. Is Korean medicine treatment possible for her?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
I get abdominal pain frequently. How should I manage it in daily life?
#Lifestyle Management