Pathophysiological mechanisms of stress-induced intestinal damage.

Stress has been shown to have both central and peripheral effects, promoting psychological illness (such as anxiety and depression), as well influencing peripheral disease in the intestine. Stress in humans can exacerbate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lowering visceral pain thresholds and decreasing mucosal barrier function. Studies in rodents have revealed that both acute and chronic exposure …