Study Suggests Infections May Lead to IBS and Chronic Indigestion

July 17, 2024 TruthUSA

Certain risk factors, including anxiety, may contribute to persistent gut symptoms in individuals who have had COVID-19 and certain bacterial infections.

A new study reinforces existing research indicating that irritable bowel syndrome can endure for months or even years in individuals with specific bacterial and viral stomach infections.

Published on July 16th in Gut, a review and meta-analysis pointed out that 14.5 percent of individuals with gastroenteritis developed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while 13 percent from the same group of 14,446 people experienced functional dyspepsia, also known as chronic heartburn.

Among those with IBS, symptoms persisted for one to four years in 52 percent of the population in three studies, and for over five years in 40 percent of participants in four studies. Common IBS symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, and irregular bowel habits leading to chronic constipation, diarrhea, or both.

Moreover, individuals in the study who experienced gastroenteritis were over four times more likely to develop IBS and three times more likely to develop dyspepsia compared to those who did not have gastroenteritis.

Specific Bugs Involved

The researchers acknowledge that while the causes of IBS and dyspepsia are not completely understood, approximately 179 million individuals worldwide suffer from gastroenteritis annually. Typically, these infections are triggered by a viral stomach bug or food poisoning, which could be caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, or other toxins.

The link between IBS/dyspepsia and gastroenteritis, particularly in relation to more aggressive and pro-inflammatory bacteria and the virus responsible for COVID-19, may be vital information for healthcare providers treating patients with ongoing symptoms following a recent gastroenteritis infection.

Disorders like IBS and chronic heartburn are sometimes viewed by healthcare professionals as primarily psychological conditions with less validity, potentially leading to underestimating patient complaints and expectations, as noted by the authors in the study.

“Since acute gastroenteritis is a prevalent condition worldwide, our findings may have implications for public health, and physicians should take notice if their patients exhibit recent infectious gastroenteritis.” said the authors.

The causes of gastroenteritis highlighted in the study included parasites at 30 percent, bacteria at 18 percent, and viruses at nearly 11 percent.

Individuals with the highest incidence of IBS following gastroenteritis had been infected with Campylobacter bacteria, which cause diarrhea. Moreover, individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or parasites were five times more likely to develop IBS.

About 10 percent of individuals experiencing functional dyspepsia had previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2.

A Persistent Tale

A study published in 2010 in Gut, which followed 742 individuals to examine the long-term effects of acute gastroenteritis, observed a similar trend. The participants were part of a municipal water contamination incident. Eight years after the initial assessment, over 28 percent of individuals still had IBS after two to three years, and 15.4 percent had IBS after eight years.

The association between campylobacter and post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS) is well-established, although it may not be widely known among clinicians, according to Dr. Madhusudan (Madhu) Grover, a gastroenterologist and researcher at the Mayo Clinic.

“Clinicians should be aware of this condition to properly counsel and treat patients, avoiding unnecessary tests.” Dr. Grover stated in a news release. “It’s important to note that females, younger individuals, and those who experienced bloody stools, abdominal cramps, and hospitalization during acute enteritis are at higher risk of developing PI-IBS.”

Post-infectious IBS is increasingly recognized with COVID-19 potentially contributing to cases. A 2023 review in Brazil suggested that the virus could be linked to IBS, partly due to its impact on dysbiosis or an imbalance in gut microbiota.

“Individuals who developed IBS may have had difficulty recovering from post-infectious dysbiosis,” the study noted. “Lastly, psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression are also considered predisposing factors for post-COVID-19 IBS.”

The risk factors identified in this research were: being female, the severity of COVID-19, presence of acute gastrointestinal symptoms, and depression/anxiety.

Specific Individuals at Higher Risk

Similar risk factors were highlighted in the recent review and meta-analysis. Specific risk factors for developing IBS following a stomach bug were being female, experiencing diarrhea lasting more than three weeks, and having a history of anxiety. The latter risk factor was associated with a three-fold risk.

Anxiety alone can alter the composition of the gut microbiome, according to the University of Chicago Medicine. The gut-brain connection involves the gut’s role in hormone and neurotransmitter release, a physiological response that can be negatively impacted when there are insufficient microbes to produce short-chain fatty acids essential for hormone and neurotransmitter production. This can affect gut motility and function, including strengthening the intestinal barrier against inflammatory toxins that may enter the bloodstream.

Temporary stress episodes may cause stomach pain and short-term symptoms that alleviate as stress diminishes. However, chronic anxiety can lead to troubling IBS symptoms like constipation, bloating, and diarrhea, as explained by the University of Chicago Medicine.

Reducing Risks

The University of Chicago Medicine offers the following suggestions for managing stress and anxiety:

Regular physical activity; avoid prolonged sitting
Practice relaxation breathing techniques
Take short breaks, especially during stressful tasks
Ensure seven hours of sleep each night
Consume whole foods rather than processed foods
Limit or avoid alcohol consumption
Spend time with others
Connect with nature
Engage in meditation
Discuss stressors with a friend, therapist, or social worker

Implementing certain precautions can also reduce the risk of stomach bugs. Frequent handwashing can decrease around 47 percent of gastroenteritis cases, according to a 2003 review in The Lancet. Additionally, following safe food handling protocols for storing, handling, and cooking raw foods can minimize contamination.

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