7. Irritability and Mood Swings: The Emotional Toll of SSL
We usually think of digestive issues in purely physical terms, but there’s a growing body of research that links gut health to emotional well-being. When discussing SSL, it’s easy to overlook psychological signs like irritability and mood swings. However, neglecting this connection is like forgetting the last piece in a jigsaw puzzle; the picture remains incomplete.
The gut is often called the “second brain,” thanks to a dense network of neurons lining our gastrointestinal system. This gut-brain axis is so intimate that emotional turmoil can manifest as physical symptoms, and vice versa. In the case of SSL, as the lesion disrupts the gut’s microbiome, it may send alarm signals to the brain, creating mood swings.
But how does a gut lesion translate to irritability or emotional instability? In a twist of physiological irony, the body’s own defense mechanisms might be the culprit. Chronic inflammation, a common reaction to SSL, releases cytokines—small proteins that act as messengers between cells. Some cytokines can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are directly related to mood regulation.
What sets this symptom apart is its quiet subtlety. Unlike abdominal pain or fatigue, mood swings don’t make you double over in discomfort or force you to lie down. Instead, they subtly sabotage your social interactions, work performance, and overall quality of life. It’s a slow drip of emotional unrest that could be easily dismissed as stress or daily life pressures.(7)
