It’s hard not to think of Elvis and the song “Viva Las Vegas” when talking about the vagus nerve. You can think of the vagus nerve as the “Strip”, a road that connects the brain to digestive system. So needless to say, the vagus nerve and digestion are intimately connected.
You may be able to improve IBS symptoms by activating your vagus nerve. It may help improve digestive symptoms associated with IBS, SIBO and GERD such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation and acid reflux. Poor vagal nerve function can cause or exacerbate these symptoms.
What is the Vagus Nerve?
- The longest cranial nerve connecting the brain to the rest of your body. It passes through the neck and thorax to the abdomen, including your heart, lungs, gut, liver and pancreas.
What Does the Vagus Nerve Do?
- It regulates functions of the autonomic nervous system. This is the part of the nervous system that operates without having to think about it. These are very important bodily functions that happen automatically.
- Beating of the heart
- Breathing
- Blinking
- Liver and kidney function
- Digestion
- Manages the inflammatory system
- Urination
How Does the Vagus Nerve Affect Digestion?
The vagus nerve springs into action only when the body is in “rest and digest” mode (also known as the parasympathetic state). This can only happen when you are not in a state of stress (or in a sympathetic state). The vagus nerve stimulates and regulates digestive organs:
Stomach
- Churns food in the stomach.
- Produces stomach acid.
- If the vagus nerve is damaged or not functioning optimally, then we can see low stomach acid, low enzyme production (which needs stomach acid to be activated), which leads to poor digestion. Keep in mind, stomach acid is our first line of defense against unwanted bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Liver
- Produces bile, transports it to the gallbladder and then to the small intestine to digest fat.
- Balances blood sugar through glucose production.
- Detoxify toxins.
Pancreas
- Produces enzymes that digest protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
- Balances blood sugar through production of hormones insulin and glucagon.
Small & Large Intestines
- Stimulates the muscles of the small and large intestine to push food and waste through the digestive tract.
- Serves as the communication pathway in which the collection of bacteria in our colon, otherwise known as the gut microbiome, communicate with our brain regarding the status of the digestive tract. Trippy!
Digestive Conditions Associated with Poor Vagal Nerve Function
Now that you know how the vagus nerve helps stimulate and regulate the organs of the digestive tract, it’s easy to see how poor vagal nerve function can be connected to the following conditions:
- Heartburn, acid reflux or GERD
- IBS – chronic constipation & diarrhea
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis
- SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth)
How to Improve IBS Symptoms by Activating the Vagal Nerve
What causes poor vagal function? The big culprits are stress, fatigue, overwhelm and anxiety – which all go hand in hand. Activating your vagus nerve has been shown to reduce anxiety and activate the “rest and digest” (parasympathetic nervous system).
There are numerous ways to activate, tone and improve vagal nerve function:
Eat Mindfully
It’s not just what we eat that helps improve digestion but how we eat plays a role in vagal nerve health.
- Chew food until it’s liquified before swallowing. This may be close to 20 chews.
- Eat meals mindfully and slowly, without rushing.
Take a Deep Breath
- Slow, deep breathing will activate the vagus nerve and stimulate the “relaxation response” otherwise known as the “rest and digest” mode. Remember, digestion can only happen in this state!
- Most people take 10-15 breaths per minute. How many are you taking? Slow down and take 6 breaths per minute.
Take a Cold Shower
- Take a cold shower, splash your face with cold water or blast your body with cold water at the end of your shower.
- It may seem counterintuitive but the exposure to colder temperatures improves your stress response and helps reduce anxiety.
Make Some Noise
- Singing, humming, chanting, and gargling will stimulate the vagus nerve by activating the muscles at the back of the throat and vocal cords connected to the nerve.
Meditate & Practice Yoga
- Meditation (which often includes breath work) stimulates the vagus nerve, reduces stress and anxiety.
- Yoga helps to reduce stress and improve our mood. Plus, yoga increases GABA, a neurotransmitter in your brain, by stimulating vagal nerve fibers.
Get Moving
- Low-medium impact exercise stimulates the digestive system and therefore the vagus nerve. Plus, it helps move waste through our body and it helps reduce stress.
Get Acupuncture or a Massage
- Certain acupuncture points have been known to improve vagal function, especially the ear.
- Massaging specific parts of the body especially feet or carotid sinus (right side of the neck) can help lower heart rate and blood pressure, which can improve vagal function.
Activating your vagus nerve can be simple, easy, and done at home. If you have digestive issues like IBS, SIBO and GERD then the benefits create a more relaxed state of overall well-being and smoother digestion. You can see how important it is to activate the vagal nerve to improve IBS symptoms. So, choose any option above and start stimulating!
Sara Kahn, MS, CNS, CDN is a board-certified nutritionist specializing in digestive health conditions like SIBO, IBS, acid reflux and more. She’s the founder of Belly Bliss Nutrition and the Solving SIBO Program.
Thank you so much for your information.
Hope it was helpful!
This is incredible information-thank you so much!
deep breathing really helped, thank you.
So glad this has helped you! Breath work really helps me and many of our clients, too.
My Sister has been told she will need a colostomy bag as she cannot empty her powers without manual stimulation. They say it is due to nerve damage. Is there anyway she could rectify this damage to save having a colostomy bag. Thank you
Hi Sylvia, she may benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy to help her regain nerve function.
Hi, how did your sister get on? I have same due to type 1 diabetes.
I had a vagatomy when I was 24 due to bleeding ulcers. I am now 75. Constipation seems to be a common problem for me and has been for years. Am I correct in thinking the vagatomy has something to do with that? Any suggestions besides prunes, laxative teas or Metamucil? I feel I’m stuck using these products, but if I don’t, then I get constipated.
Vagal nerve damage can absolutely affect digestion and motility. I recommend asking your doctor for a motility test. Some with poor motility function may benefit from a prescription prokinetic. Also, seeing a practitioner like a chiropractor can help improve the way the vagus nerve works.
I seem to have started a cycle of IBS – poor diet – and feel a bit faint when it happens which then gives me anxiety and I’m stuck on that cycle it’s really knocked my confidence. Happened 3 times in 3 weeks. Is this a vasovagel response? I get the shakes a bit and light headed prior to a bowel movement. Thank you.
Feeling faint, having the shakes and feeling light headed can be related to numerous conditions and situations such as nutrient deficiencies, an imbalanced diet which can lead to blood sugar dysregulation, or could be related to a panic attack. I think it’s important to determine just what is causing this so you can address it and start to feel better.
I have 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds every morning mixed with yoghurt and my bowel movements are so much better and i no longer have to use laxatives. Give it a try .
Hi Kris, flax seeds are high in soluble fiber and can be a great way to stay regular. Thanks for sharing what works for you!
I wake up every night with extreme nausea. I have a redundant colon but my doctor does not think this is causing the nausea. Does the Vagal nerve shut down at nighttime while sleeping in prone position? This has been going on for about 6 years and the doctors all say there’s really nothing that can be done for the nausea. I would love to find the root of the problem and fix it. Thank you!
Sorry to hear about the never ending nausea. That sounds miserable! Digestion slows down at night so it can do much needed repair work. This is why we don’t want to eat within 3 hours of going to bed. The vagus nerve doesn’t ever shut down, as it is a part of your nervous system. A redundant colon could cause constipation and chronic constipation can cause nausea.
Alice, try ginger powder for your nausea. I use 1/4 to 1/2 of a teaspoon: With a little water in my mouth, I put the powder in my mouth. Then, I swish & swallow. Ginger, like cinnamon, is hydrophobic meaning it doesn’t mix w/ water. That’s why you swish before you swallow. This is the fastest way I know to get relief. If preferred, you can buy ginger capsules ( may have take a bit longer to dissolve). Fresh ginger is Great, carve off a piece the size of 2 nickels stacked & keep chewing it. When chewed really finely, you can swallow if want. (The ginger “juice” is what seems to matter). All these methods work really well, better than any medication I’ve tried.
Ginger is a fantastic way to help with nausea. Ginger tea or ginger chews can be helpful. The key to resolving chronic nausea is to understand what’s causing it and addressing the underlying root cause.
This is a great snapshot, thank you. Could you get an overstimilated VN causing diarrhoea, nausea (occ vomiting)?
I am not certain that the vagus nerve can be overstimulated. Rather, less than optimal vagus nerve function could be playing a role with chronic GI issues.
Sara, Help please! I have had diarrhea & gut cramping on & off for 5 days due to Anxiety from multiple issues. In the past, I started getting a response to vagal exercises after 5 days (mostly using forceful gargling, some singing & gagging). I can’t leave my house to see a chiropractor or acupuncturist. The 6 breaths a min. help some. Are the here particular combinations/ preferences of your great article recommendations I should focus on for better / faster results? (doesn’t help that I have an important med. procedure tomorrow am & I’m worried re even getting there due to diarrhea & cramping)! Definitely a vagal issue, not food poisoning…). I’m desperate, thanks So much for your recommendations!!
Hi Allison, I’m sorry to hear you are struggling with diarrhea due to anxiety. It’s amazing how much our mind and gut are connected. Breath work can be a very powerful tool to help signal to the brain to switch from sympathetic mode (fight or flight) into parasympathetic mode (rest and digest). Here is an article on a couple of different breathing techniques we often recommend to our clients. Some clients love the Calm and Headspace apps. And, some clients are working with a mental health practitioner to get more tools in their tool box to better manage anxiety. https://sarakahnnutrition.com/relaxation-techniques/
Hi Sara.
Since two years ago I am suffering gastrointestinal issues. I have SIBO methane, constipation,nausea,gastritis and GERD and also low stomach acid. All started when I started using a facemask for all day during all week at work. Doctors told me they don’t believe it’s the mask but I think that mask wearing change the breathing patterns and decrease vagus nerve estimulation so it produced me all this situation.
What do you think? Is there a way to bring all this back to normal?
Many thanks
Jordi
Hi Jordi – We have not heard of face masks causing GI issues. But many clients who experienced COVID have new GI symptoms. And many people who experienced stress associated with the pandemic have new or worsening GI conditions. Whatever the cause, we have worked with many clients with these symptoms and help them regain their health. I hope you feel better soon!
Hi Sara- My name is Kushal. I suffered from a Gastric infection 2 years ago and was hospitalized. When I was discharged from hospital I started to feel cramps and pain in my stomach accompanied with diarrhoea. My doctor told me that it is Post Infectious IBS- D. So I started to take medications. Sometimes my symptoms get better and sometimes t hey get worse leaving me with stress. Now I have started to experience GERD as well, for which I again take medicines. I really want to win over this illness which is becoming chronic. Does exercising Vagus nerve will help?
Sorry to hear you are struggling with post-infectious IBS-D. While vagus exercises can help support the digestive system, I recommend ensuring your doctor is giving you an accurate diagnosis. GERD and SIBO can be related to IBS. You may want to ask your doctor for a SiBO breath test and/or an H. pylori test.
Hi,, off an on for 20 years I have this flare up in the pit of my belly like gas is building up. It lasts for weeks and then I am ok for a year or two..i notice this happens when I feel grief or upset…i get full very fast which leads to weight loss..have had NUMEROUS tests..they find NOTHING..IS it possible this is a nerve issue??? Any answer would help.
Hi Maria, it seems like stress can be a trigger for you. Our gut and brain are connected through the vagus nerve. In many cases, we can’t make stress go away but we can change how our body reacts to stress. Deep breathing, mediation, walks in nature are not only great stress management tools but can help improve vagal nerve function.
Ok, now I think you’re full of it. I thought this was going to be something “new”. It’s not. I do eat slowly, chew my food well, prefer it on the cool side. I crochet and listen to audiobooks for relaxation. Trust, me, I breathe slow. I get plenty of exercise. The problem is, exercise kicks in the diarrhea. You’re full of it. It’s simply hypermotility unless I test positive for an infection. Late 60’s and thinking about stopping eating to control this. Sick of it. FIND A CURE. THIS ISN’T IT.
Hi Mona, I totally understand your frustration. I wish there is a cure for IBS! We now know that IBS is an umbrella term for several different types of digestive issues such as dysbiosis, SIBO, gut-brain dysfunction, food intolerance/sensitivity and more. The key is to determine which type of IBS you have, what’s causing it and address the root cause (if possible). High intensity exercise can shunt blood away from and jostle the digestive organs which can cause hypermotility. This is a common issue with runners (they call it “runners trots”). You may want to explore lower intensity exercises that won’t cause digestive issues.
Hi Sara! My 16 YO daughter has been diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), Gastroparesis and low intestinal motility, EDS Type 3, AMPS (Amplified Musculoskeletal Syndrome), and Fibromyalgia. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of POTS, but her entire Autonomic Nervous System is on the fritz basically. There are several things that are out of control right now, but her digestive system is our biggest hurdle right now. She is in constant pain all day and excruciating when she eats anything! She said to me tonight she’d rather be malnourished than keep going with the pain. Have you had any luck or experience with a Vagas Nerve Stimulator? I know there are big expensive ones, but also know there are some more affordable “at home options”. Can you help with some suggestions, PLEEAAASSE?
I am so sorry your daughter is struggling with all of these issues. I have a client with EDS and she has many of the same conditions. Since digestion is the biggest issue, you can speak to her doctor about using a prescription prokinetic to help with motility and ask if a gastroparesis diet is appropriate for her. My client with EDS will be trying the atlas orthoganol chiropractic approach (it’s been studied to help EDS). It may help with vagal nerve function. It may be something to look into. I hope she gets some relief soon!
Hi Dece, You might want to consider having your daughter checked for gastroptosis, Enteroptosis and maybe even nephroptosis. (Organs dropping more than they should when a person stands up.) Some people with EDS can also suffer from one or more of those conditions. If any of her abdominal pain symptoms are worse when she sits up or stands up that could be an important clue to ptosis problems. It takes radiology studies that are done when a person is standing to diagnose these conditions. Upright barium test for GI (stomach/intestines) and IVP for the kidneys. You can google EDS with the ptosis conditions listed above. I would google each ptosis condition separately along with EDS.
Also, if weight becomes low and a person is thin it can lead to having/developing Left Renal Vein Entrapment syndrome (aka-Nutcracker Syndrome) and/or Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (aka-SMAS). Also, Nutcracker Syndrome can lead to pelvic congestion syndrome and reproductive problems at reproductive age.
Also, if you haven’t had her checked for a Chiari Malformation I would highly consider that too, but, by a Chiari specialist familiar with Chiari in EDS patients. Many EDS patients also have a Chiari Malformation. Furthermore, many people that’s been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia actually turn out having a Chiari Malformation (LIKE ME). Also, POTS is a common symptom of a Chiari malformation and gastroparesis happens as well. Chiari CAN cause over 100 different symptoms depending on the severity of the Malformation and if there is a Syringomyelia caused by the Chiari. Syringomyelia’s in the spine can also occur in Chiari patients. Just google Chiari malformation and EDS if you don’t know about it.
I pray she has none of the above but with what you wrote I suspect you’ll find one or maybe more of the conditions if checked appropriately for them.
I’m not a doctor, just a patient that’s had to learn a lot about the above conditions. I hope the above information helps you in your research.
Hi Sarah, Thank you for the information. I have a diagnosis of IBS-C which flares up a lot during periods of stress. I have had to cut so many foods out of my life that never bothered me before and makes it very difficult to eat with friends or out. Even when I do and eat everything correct, my motility and bloating is still sometimes a huge issue. Is there a way to totally heal IBS through healing/toning the vagal nerve? Is it possible, or is IBS chronic and forever like my GI doctor said?
It’s amazing how much stress can affect our digestive system! We have found that adding in the “right” foods (which is personalized for each client) can be helpful. A limited diet ends up doing more harm than good. For chronic constipation clients, finding the right stress management technique can be helpful (which helps improve the tone of the vagus nerve) but some clients may need pelvic floor physical therapy. Some clients have benefited from a motility study to see if they are a good candidate for prescription prokinetic. There are lots of tools in the toolbox. It’s about finding the right tools for your situation. Addressing the root cause of your constipation is the key to resolving it.
Hi Sara,
After a prolonged period of severe stress , I was prescribed an SSRI(Prozac). One month into the treatment , I felt much better wrt anxiety but started having chronic digestive problems(which was diagnosed later as IBS-D).I’ve always wondered if I suffered damage to my Vagus nerve during this episode.
If this were to be true , I’m not sure what caused this damage was it the stress or the medication. I would really appreciate your inputs on the same , thanks in advance !
PS :This GI issues have now lasted for many years post the onset that i described above
Please check Medline Plus for a list of potential side effects associated with antidepressant use. There are numerous digestive-related side effects that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Thanks so much for your response
Hello Sara
I go night over night not able to sleep because of severe cramps in my stomach which cause me to have to move continually. I am 69 yrs old and have been intermittent fasting for a long time (I don’t eat after lunch). I eat fish and vegetables and stay away from all allopathic drugs. I have ginger, garlic etc., as often as I can. I do eat wheat sometimes because it is in everything and it does affect me. I drink lots of water. In the morning normally I go to the loo and I am fine. Just recently I have been taking activated charcoal for gas but this has made me constipated. At night I do exercises, deep breathing, stretching, praying… you name it. Any suggestions? Thank you. Best wishes Ginny
Hi Ginny, sorry you have been struggling with stomach cramps. That sounds miserable! The first step is to get the right diagnosis from your gastroenterologist. Stomach cramping is associated with so many conditions. If it is IBS, the low-FODMAP diet may help as it is one of the most studied diets for IBS. Garlic and some vegetables are high in FODMAPS and can cause GI distress. You can learn more about the diet in this article – https://sarakahnnutrition.com/about-fodmap-diet/
I’ve been plagued with IBSC for years. I’m also a cancer survivor and have neuropathy from chemo. I worked with a nutritionist to go on the Low FODMAP Diet which has helped. I am aware of the track of the Vagus nerve and I am a Speech Pathologist. I noticed bowel movements are stimulated while talking on the phone. Have studies been done regarding speaking and digestion?
Hi Rosemary, you noticed an interesting connection! We know that signing, changing, humming can activate the vagus nerve so it makes sense that talking can do it to. I am not aware of any studies that specifically look at talking and digestion but sounds like it could be a good study.
Hi Sara, 2 weeks post gastric bypass I developed an ulcer ( diag. By a scope).
I am on 40 mg Prilosec 2x’s a day & a watered down type of Pepto 4x’s a day.
It’s been 5 weeks & any liquid still causes pain & nausea.Any type of food is basically out of the question, except perhaps a tiny amount of mashed banana. Even ice chips will cause nausea.
Is there a particular area to stimulate the vagal nerve to help?
Hi Lesley, I’m sorry to hear about the ulcer. I think it’s important to understand if this was caused by the surgery or by a bacteria called H. pylori. If it’s caused by H. pylori, then it can be treated with antibiotic therapy.
Hi Sara, I am currently going through extreme stress. I have changed jobs after 15 years. My new job is so perfect it’s stressing me that my belly won’t allow me to keep it and I won’t be good enough. Topped with the unpredictable belly and topped with anxiety as too whether I need to pass wind or will I follow through. Means I end up going to the loo just in case. Which is resulting in me not eating. I’m booked for some reiki tomorrow. Will this help?
Hi Jan, it’s amazing how much stress, anxiety and overwhelm can affect our digestive system. Anything that helps your body better respond to stress will help. If reiki helps you then that’s great! If not, then try another modality and/or seek out a therapist.
Hello Sara,
I am find this article in one of the darkest points in my life. Eight months ago, I was snowboarding when I slammed my chest into the ground at about 30 miles per hour. Ever since then I have been dealing with bouts of nausea and poor sleep every day without end. I went to the ER directly after the injury and was told there is nothing they could do, I then went to the chiropractor six months later and he found that my ribs had knocked one of the vertebrae that hold the Vagus nerve. He has tried to get it in position but still every time I lay down, stand up, sit, or eat I nearly fall to the floor with nausea. Do you know of anyways I could possibly heal this pain?
I hope this finds you well..
Noi
Hi Noi, I am sorry to hear about your accident. Nerve damage and concussions can affect the vagus nerve. You may want to see a neurologist, since you seem to have a complex case.
Hello. Although a gastroenterologist looked at me like I had two heads, I’m convinced when my stomach is even a little bloated it keeps me from falling asleep. It’s not painful, thus I think it’s possibly a vagus nerve issue. I take simethicone WAY too much, and lately even that’s not doing the trick. Often I have to take Ambien in order to fall asleep. I’ve tried deep breathing and other tricks, but nothing seems to work well. If you have heard of this condition before, I’d love to know I’m not crazy. And of course any advice is helpful, although I’ve tried lots of things with and without a naturopath.
Thank you!
P.S. My mom had the same thing and took Bisodol every night for years.
Hi Laura – We have many clients who have digestive symptoms and find it hard to sleep. There are lots of potential reasons for this. We would want to address the bloating but also address anything stimulating in the diet (ie. caffeine, chocolate, etc.) or any stimulating medications/supplements. We also see imbalanced blood sugar causing sleep issues, as well.
Hi Sara,
My situation is that I have IBS heavily fueled by anxiety.
The connection between my stress and my digestive system is propably the strongest one I’ve ever heard of, since I can throw my stomach over for the day just by thinking about stressful stuff for few minutes.
It’s clear to me that I’m a person that gets a little nervous over smaller stuff, and that I cannot remove that part of me completely, and I’m fine with that. The problem is how little I have to be anxious to start the digestive problems.
The problems started 4 years ago, and so far I have tried everything I can do myself to reduce anxiety, but nothing has been succesful. Now I’m ready to start relying on other options. What treatment should I try? Is it possible to disable very specific parts of nerves from working?
Frans
Hi Frans, there is a strong connection between the gut and the brain. Gut-centered hypnotherapy can be very helpful for those with IBS.
I know I’m commenting pretty late but I just found this article. Are you an HSP (highly sensitive person)? your heightened sense of sensitivity to stressor sounds very familiar and I just recently, at 38, found that this is a thing! It’s a trait, not a condition, and means you perceive stimuli/stressors at much higher level than normal person, thus, leading to physical ailments. I am still learning more about this newly discovered trait of mine and have learned there are many others going through the same thing. I joined an HSP support group on Facebook and it’s been eyeopener. The discovery of this trait is accredited to physchologist Dr. Elaine Aron. She wrote the book “The Highly Sensitive Person”, which I highly recommend if you are an HSP (her site has several questions that can pinpoint this out).
Good morning, Sarah, thank you for this column. I just had a vasoval episode. Thank goodness I was home. Dizziness, super sweaty, had to lie down before I could relax to have the BM. Realize now that my Delicious big breakfast was not a great idea since I didn’t hydradrate well yesterday. Still lying down underdressed the fan sipping Gatorade. When will I learn. Thanks for the reminder about gargling.
Being dehydrated can cause a drop in blood pressure. Hope you were able to recover quickly!
Thank you so much for this article. After over 50 years of cycles of real problems when I became so constipated I had to cut my food and liquid intake. I have had periods of years when I could barely function as I became so weak, and shaky. Two weeks ago I was rushed into hospital due to chronic and continuous pain all around my waist and under my ribs. Whenever I ate it just sat there for days, and left no room to eat or even drink. I was diagnosed with problems with the Vagus nerve, causing severe slow movement constipation. I was on morphine for a week before they were able to help get it under control. Now I am home my GP refuses to accept that this was cause such pain and has just told me to eat better. I am very emaciated and weak, but feel at last I have some understanding of the reasons for the decades of problems. Thank you for explaining it so clearly. I hope with research I can help myself to get better and not have to suffer endless nights and days with no sleep or food again. Warmest thanks Margaret
Hi Margaret, I’m so sorry you’ve been struggling with chronic constipation. Many of our clients in similar situations benefit from being evaluated by a pelvic floor physical therapist. Often chronic constipation is a muscle coordination issue within the pelvic floor.
Hi Sarah, I’ve had bouts of upper stomach bloating , often happens as soon as I get up it goes hard then softer . I’ve had chronic constipation but even after taking Movicol the uncomfortable feeling persists . I have massive amounts of stress in my life . My stomach is flat when I lie down. I feel sure it’s connected with my Vegus nerve . I had covid in October 2020 , it seems to have exasperated the situation. I’ve always had IBSc . Are there any supplements or ideas you suggest to stop this reaction.
Hi Emma, sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with IBS-C. We recommend being tested for SIBO. Methane type SIBO is often associated with constipation. Also, our chronic constipation clients benefit being evaluated by a pelvic floor physical therapist. Often, chronic constipation is a muscle coordination issue. And of course, your history of massive stress could have an affect on motility. Working with a therapist to retrain the way your body reacts to stress can be super helpful.
Hey this is all so interesting! Thrilled I found your page as I’ve been at my whits-end with 12 years of what I thought was unexplainable constipation. However, whilst I undrestand it, I still haven’t been able to really get a grip of it and feel “normal” (ie free of this issue). Tried everything in terms of breathing and food-related “cures”… If you had any specific pointers that you thought should help people like me, I’d really appreciate it.
Hi Ger – Sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with chronic constipation. We usually find that pelvic floor physical therapy can be helpful. It may be more of a mechanical issue rather than a food issue. Something to explore.
Hi Sara. I’m 65 and have always had. ‘Sensitive’ digestion. Was told it was IBS back in the 80s. I know I need to try to relax more. When I have digestive flare ups it comes in form of needing to go for a poo within minutes of waking, even if it’s 5.30 in the morning. I then go at least twice that morning and then later in day. It’s as if my gastrocolic reflex is on overdrive. Any tips on how to stop this early morning need for the loo. ( it’s normal, not the runs) thank you.
Hi Jan, we just posted an article based on new research on the top 5 causes of IBS. https://sarakahnnutrition.com/tips/2022/03/06/%ef%bf%bcwhat-triggers-ibs-5-surprising-root-causes/
For early morning diarrhea, we often look at what you ate the night before. It may be helpful to track what you are eating and notice any patterns. For example, every time you eat dairy or every time you drink wine for dinner, it triggers early morning diarrhea. We can also consider stress. Many people wake up stressed or are mentally running through their to do list. Hope you can determine your triggers!
Hi Sara, I’ve been suffering from IBSD type symptoms (usually worse when I’m on holiday!) for some time. These symptoms are inconsistent and don’t seem to be connected to what I eat as I’ve kept a food diary. I also suffer from balance issues although not necessarily at the same time as the bowel issue. I was wondering if both these issues could be connected and due to a damaged Vagus nerve?