How Chronic Abdominal Pain Affects Your Brain — and What to Do About It Everyday Health Menu NewslettersSearch Digestive Health News How Chronic Abdominal Pain Affects Your Brain — and What to Do About ItChronic pain can actually rewire your brain so you experience even more suffering and distress, but there are techniques to help reverse these effects. By Quinn Phillips June 14, 2019 Everyday Health Archive Fact-Checked When it comes to chronic abdominal pain, the mind-body connection can be a vicious circle.iStock If you experience chronic From Pain to Trauma Szigethy defines trauma as the brain and body’s reaction to anything that threatens someone’s safety. Often, perceived threats that lead to trauma come from the outside — such as the threat of violence from another person or group. But they can also come from within the body. There’s a strong neurobiological connection between the brain and the gut, which may help explain why chronic abdominal pain — lasting longer than about three months — can be so traumatizing. This ongoing pain can actually rewire your brain, with different brain systems mounting a greater response to what’s seen as danger. “You not only have the continued signal coming from the gut, but now you have secondary responses from the brain that perpetuate the negativity,” says Szigethy. “So now you have worry, catastrophic thinking, you emotionally become very NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Digestive Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Digestive Health Gut Check: Can Cookie Dough Really Harm Your Gut? It’s not just the raw eggs that can make you sick.By Kaitlin SullivanOctober 4, 2022 Gut Healthy Foods Worth Trying — or Not Are you plagued with gut problems and looking for a solution? The answer might be in your diet. Read on for expert advice on which foods might be worth...By Jane OkojiAugust 23, 2022 Are Bidets Good for Your Bum—and the Planet? Here’s all you need to know about the clean tush movement.By Jordan M. DavidsonAugust 22, 2022 Gut Check: Is Coffee Good for Your Gut Microbiome? Drinking coffee comes with a number of health benefits, and now some studies suggest that may be because it supports a healthy gut.By Ashley WelchAugust 17, 2022 Mom, My Tummy Hurts: Common Digestive Issues in Kids Stomachaches in kids can come and go, but frequent tummy troubles may need medical attention.By Stacy KishJuly 22, 2022 The Consumer’s Guide to Biologics for Eosinophilic EsophagitisBy Maria MastersJuly 21, 2022 Can You Get Sick From a Swimming Pool or Lake? Find out about the germs that lurk beneath the surface at swimming holes — and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.By Sandra GordonJuly 19, 2022 What to Know About Elimination Diets for Eosinophilic Esophagitis An elimination diet can be challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. In the end, though, it may reveal exactly what’s triggering your symptoms.By Johanna NeesonJuly 18, 2022 Dealing With Dysphagia When You Have Eosinophilic Esophagitis Difficulty swallowing is a common symptom of eosinophilic esophagitis, but there are some simple ways to mitigate this side effect and ease discomfort...By Jennifer Kelly GeddesJuly 18, 2022 4 Natural Remedies for Reflux Due to Eosinophilic Esophagitis When conventional medicine isn’t enough, the addition of a complementary treatment or two may be the key to relief from heartburn caused by EoE.By Jennifer Kelly GeddesJuly 18, 2022 MORE IN Dementia: What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms? Dementia Causes and Risk Factors Chronic Pain Relief Checklist: 9 Places to Look for Affordable, Effective, Low-Risk Treatments Wellness inspired Wellness enabled FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestYoutubeTikTok About Us Careers Editorial Policy Newsletters Meet Our Health Expert Network Privacy Policy Health News Accessibility Statement Terms of Use Contact Us Feedback Do Not Sell My Personal Information Popular Topics AdChoices NEWSLETTERS Get the best in health and wellness SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. A PROPERTY OF EHGLogo More From Everyday Health: Castle Connolly Top Doctors DailyOM Diabetes Daily Everyday Health Care Migraine Again 1996-2022 Everyday Health, Inc. Everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Badges Badges Badges