Anxiety is something that comes naturally to everyone, mostly as a response to stress. It is often defined as persistent worry that leads to a fast heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and feeling tired. Interestingly, being anxious can trigger various sensations in the body that can sometimes cause unusual symptoms like nausea. But what exactly is the link between the two? And how does the brain-gut connection work? Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Sanjay Garg, Consultant - Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, sheds light on the same.
Also Read: Mental Health A-Z: Expert Explains Anxiety And How To Deal With It
How Anxiety Triggers Nausea: Understanding The Brain-Gut Connection
Anxiety can induce nausea through a complex physiological response, explains Dr Garg, who shares that when an individual experiences anxiety, the body activates the "fight or flight" response, releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
He adds that these hormones divert blood flow away from the digestive system to prioritise functions crucial for immediate survival. Consequently, decreased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract can lead to reduced digestive motility and impaired nutrient absorption, manifesting as nausea, he notes.
Explaining the brain-gut association, Dr Garg further highlights that the brain and gut are intricately linked. According to him, anxiety signals from the brain, transmitted via the vagus nerve, can stimulate the enteric nervous system, disrupting gastrointestinal motility and secretion and leading to symptoms like nausea.
Besides nausea, other symptoms associated with anxiety include:
- Faster heart rate
- Abnormally rapid breathing
- Excessive sweating
- Trembling
- Gastrointestinal disturbances like diarrhoea or constipation
- Feelings of apprehension
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
Are Certain Types Of Anxiety More Likely To Cause Nausea?
While anxiety in general can trigger nausea, certain types, such as panic disorder with its intense, sudden onset or generalised anxiety disorder with chronic worry, might be more strongly linked to gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea due to sustained physiological stress, says Dr Garg.
Management Tips
The key is to manage anxiety effectively.
According to the expert, addressing anxiety-induced nausea involves a multifaceted approach, which includes relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and, for severe cases, anti-nausea medications and anxiolytics, which might be prescribed, though these should be used under medical guidance.
Understanding Anxiety Triggers
From genetic predisposition to underlying medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism or cardiac arrhythmias to substance abuse, several factors can contribute to anxiety.
Psychological stressors, including trauma, loss, or significant life changes, may trigger anxiety, whereas chronic stress, personality traits, and neurochemical imbalances, particularly those involving serotonin and norepinephrine, can also play a role, says Dr Garg.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your own doctor if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]