最近，與「胃」相關的一個話題直衝熱搜第一。原來胃是情緒器官，「氣到胃疼」真的存在啊！
生氣或焦慮會導致身體產生各種不同的問題，包括消化系統的病症，其中最常見的症狀之一就是胃痛。
The Stress that anxiety puts on your body can lead to various different issues, including those relating to the digestive system. One of the more common symptoms is stomach pain.
腸胃為什麼會對情緒敏感？
為什麼生氣、緊張時會胃疼（stomachache）？這是因為大腦和腸胃間存在一種「雙向影響」。腸道紊亂會向大腦發送信號，大腦紊亂也會向腸道發送信號。
The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines. This connection goes both ways. A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut.
具體來說，這種雙向影響與「腸-腦軸（gut-brain axis）」密切相關。「腸-腦軸」是由神經內分泌和免疫因子介導的、受心理社會因素調整的一個雙相整合系統。
The gut-brain axis (GBA) consists of bidirectional communication between the central and the enteric nervous system, linking emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions.
圖源：Harvard Health
腸神經系統 （enteric nervous system, ENS）有數百萬個調節消化的神經連接，是「腸-腦軸」的關鍵組成部分，通常被稱為「第二大腦」。它通過神經系統與大腦相連，因而當大腦發生變化時，腸神經系統也會做出相應的反應。
The enteric nervous system (ENS), a key component of the brain-gut connection, is often referred to as the "second brain." Within the ENS, you have millions of nerve connections that regulate digestion. The ENS is connected to the nervous system, which is, of course, connected to the brain. Therefore, when a change occurs in the brain, it affects the gut and vice versa.
圖源：Family Medicine Austin
外源性（景象、氣味等）或內感性（情緒、思維）信息通過高級中樞傳出的神經衝動影響胃腸運動、分泌和炎症。同時，胃腸道系統的刺激可能會向中樞神經系統（central nervous system, CNS）發送信號，從而引發情緒變化。
Psychology combines with physical factors to cause pain and other bowel symptoms. Psychosocial factors influence the actual physiology of the gut, as well as symptoms.
事實上，腸道含有比大腦更多的血清素，它是調節情緒的神經遞質。因此，一個人的腸胃不適可能是焦慮、壓力或抑鬱的原因或產物。
In fact, the gut contains more serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter that regulates mood, than the brain. Therefore, a person's stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression.
圖源：視覺中國
何種情緒更易影響胃腸健康？
憤怒、焦慮、悲傷、興高采烈——所有這些和其他情緒都會引發腸道症狀。常見的大致可分為兩種情況:
The gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, elation — all of these feelings (and others) can trigger symptoms in the gut.
❶ 壓抑性情緒
焦慮、抑鬱、恐懼等常常導致胃腸道動力低下。人會因此出現食欲不振、噯氣、打嗝、早飽、飽脹等不適。
Stress, depression or other psychological factors, can affect movement and contractions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
❷ 較為亢奮的情緒
憤怒、生氣、厭惡也會導致胃腸高動力反應。這類情緒活動容易引起胃酸分泌增加、胃腸蠕動增加，造成胃食管反流、胃炎，甚至消化性潰瘍，導致腹瀉、便秘和腹痛。「氣得胃疼」就是這個道理。
Most people with anger management issues often suffer from stomach ailments. Extreme anger will not aid in releasing chemicals that are required for healthy digestion. Intense anger also releases stomach acids that can irritate the ulcers and cause diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain.
圖源：Calm Clinic
除此之外，精神壓力大的人更容易抽菸或借酒澆愁，而二者都是引發胃癌的高危因素。吸菸會增加患胃癌的風險，食道附近是出現癌症細胞的風險點。吸菸者患胃癌的機率大約是普通人群的兩倍。
Smoking increases stomach cancer risk, particularly for cancers of the upper part of the stomach near the esophagus. The rate of stomach cancer is about doubled in people who smoke.
因此，想要對腸胃好一點，良好的心態十分重要。多項研究發現，與傳統的藥物治療相比，心理療法能更大程度地改善消化系統症狀。
Multiple studies have found that psychologically based approaches lead to greater improvement in digestive symptoms compared with only conventional medical treatment.
圖源：視覺中國
心情不好時，要通過積極健康的方式排解不良情緒，比如參加體育運動，做一些喜歡的事情轉移注意力，或是求助於專業的心理諮詢，保持良好心態。
如果你心態無法平靜，或是已經處在發怒的邊緣，不妨試試美國經營心理學家歐廉·尤里斯教授的平心靜氣三法則：
首先降低聲音，緩解向上的爆發力；
繼而放慢語速，給大腦時間緩和下來；
最後胸部挺直，拉開與別人的距離，吸入更多氧氣。
編輯：朱迪齊
實習生：李龍一 王雨凡
來源：生命時報 CalmClinic 美國癌症協會網站 英國國民保健署
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