Fascicolo Monotematico "Stress e Malattie Gastrointestinali"
Alberto Ravelli
1U.O. Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Ospedale dei Bambini, Clinica Pediatrica Università di Brescia
Diarrhea, abdominal pain and digestive problems are often associated with alterations of the emotional state induced by stress. Stress can determine various modifications of intestinal motility, and these changes vary according to different emotional states. However, both clinical and experimental studies have shown that the most recent major GI disorders induced by chronic or repeated stress – both physical and psychological – are alterations of visceral sensitivity, and in particular visceral hyperalgesia. The concept of “brain-gut axis” is now widely accepted as the basis for the anatomical and functional study of the bidirectional interactions between the brain and gastrointestinal system.