Strange question - can stress cause upset stomach?

[Chickadee]

I am feeling very stressed because my hubby was rushed into hospital last night with a suspected DVT.

I have visited him today and he is much more comfortable (doped up to his eyeballs!!) but obviously I am still stressed.

My stomach is really upset after getting home this evening and as I haven't eaten dodgy I wondered if it could be the stress.

Does anyone know if it could be this?

Thanks all

[DTCwordfan]

Yes and It can be a nasty circle.

And you probably need to eat - something reasonably plain like scrambled eggs on crumpets???

[ummmm]

Yep, very much so. As soon as I get stressed I lose my appetite, feel ichy and get the runs...

[Chickadee]

Thanks guys.

At least I know that is what is causing it and not some nasty bug I picked up in A & E last night.

Shall try to calm down a bit knowing he is in best place and not in any pain.

[LoftyLottie]

I am like ummmm, get stressed, itchy and get the runs. Can't eat proper meals but can snack on salty crisps.
Very normal to feel unwell in some way if you are stressed.

Best wishes for your hubbie's swift recovery.

[tiggerblue10]

Agree with everyone. Prolonged stress can cause stomach ulcers to develope which can flare up at any time when you are stressed again.

[oopsydoopsy]

Hiya Chickadee - yes , as soon as anything upsets me or makes me really anxious I get this to the point where I often am physically sick too.
I also sympathise as my husband suffers from DVTs - had a suspected 3rd last month. Now on warfarin for life at 44 - so feeling the cold. Your hubby is in the best place and they will soon have his clotting factors sorted. Am guessing that if this is his first one then he will be on meds for a while. Good luck x

[Chickadee]

Thanks everyone for info and good wishes.

On the scan he had in A & E they found a massive clot in his vein, on scanning yesterday they couldn't find it! He is having another scan later on.

They are still giving him blood thinning injections tho - be on the safe side I suppose.

Again thanks all for good wishes,

[Scylax]

The physiology of stress and gastric function is rather complicated, but basically stress stimulates the 10th. cranial nerve, the Vagus. This, among other functions, stimulates oxyntic cells in the gastric wall to produce hydrochloric acid. The resultant acidosis is the cause of your upset stomach. Prolonged acidosis can result in gastric or duodenal ulcer, but this usually takes years. Antacids relieve the symptoms in the short term, but for longer term relief drugs such as Omeprazole may be required. Your GP could advise.

[boxtops]

Yes, absolutely - the nervous system affects the digestive system (scylax has put it much better than I could).

[philkool]

what is DVT

[ummmm]

Deep vein thrombosis.