Cause 9: Psychological Stress: The Mind-Gut Connection
The ninth cause of ulcerative colitis is psychological stress. While it may seem unrelated to a disease that primarily affects the gut, the connection between the mind and the gut is well-established and significant. This link is often referred to as the ‘gut-brain axis.’
Psychological stress can profoundly impact this gut-brain axis. When under stress, our bodies respond by altering various physiological processes, including those in the gut. Stress can affect gut motility (the movement of food through the digestive tract), increase gut permeability (leading to a ‘leaky gut‘), and disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome.
Each of these stress-induced changes can contribute to the development and progression of UC. For instance, altered gut motility can lead to constipation or diarrhea, common symptoms of UC. Increased gut permeability can allow harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation. Lastly, disruption of the gut microbiome can exacerbate the dysbiosis seen in UC. (9)
