Eureka! Gene research has demonstrated that IBS Anxiety isn’t “All in Your Head,” but in your genes.
At Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health, we see many patients that have struggled with IBS and anxiety for years. Many have had it implied or outright said to them that “it’s all in your head.” While anxiety certainly affects IBS (and vice versa), the relationship between them still isn’t fully understood. Research out of the United Kingdom may have one piece of the puzzle: genes.
In a study comparing the DNA of 50,000 individuals with IBS against samples from healthy individuals. In the study, published in Nature Genetics, researchers isolated several genes, mostly associated with the brain and nerve cells, that may account for signals in both the brain and the gut that result in IBS symptoms. Results also showed the heritability of IBS is low, and that people that are prone to anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, and some other mental health challenges share similar genetic makeup as those with IBS.
To read more about the study, please check out this article from the BBC Health Editor, Michelle Roberts at BBC online news. Highlights of the study, its results and some tips on coping with and improving IBS symptoms can be found therein: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-57821848
Jed is a licensed psychotherapist with Behavioral Health Specialists at CGH. Jed continues to be both amazed by and drawn to the mind-body connection, specifically improving the relationship between the mind and the gut with gut-directed hypnotherapy. Jed is actively accepting new patients and can assist in dramatically improving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other diseases of the brain-gut interaction.
Call 224.407.4400 today or visit compgihealth.com and begin your journey to better health and enhanced overall well-being.