What causes digestive disturbances?

Foods

Our digestive system functions as a tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. Everything inside this tube is technically outside the body until nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream. Problems arise when the gut lining becomes compromised, allowing “wrong” or partially digested molecules to pass through, triggering an immune system. This response manifests as food allergies and intolerances, with common allergens including wheat, gluten, dairy and eggs.

Emotions

Stress is another common cause of digestive upset. Homeopaths recognise the link between emotional well-being and physical health, particularly in the digestive system. Many people experience an urgent need to visit the toilet during periods of worry, such as the morning of an exam. For those susceptible, long-term worry or suppressed emotions can lead to digestive complaints like IBS and more severe conditions such as Crohn’s or Colitis.

In homeopathy, we use the word “susceptibility” to describe an individual’s weakness or tendency to develop a particular pathology. Often, but not exclusively, these “susceptibilities” can be seen in a family history, e.g., a tendency towards stomach complaints or respiratory infections, in a family with a history of Tuberculosis.

Emotional suppression, the strategy of hiding or avoiding one’s emotions, is particularly prevalent in cultures where expressing emotions is subtly discouraged. In the UK, for example, maintaining a “stiff upper lip” can prevent emotions from being expressed. In many cultures, openly expressing anger or grief is frowned upon, while sobbing quietly into a handkerchief is deemed more acceptable. However, other cultures expect more vocal displays, such as death wails or Irish “keening”.

Emotional suppression doesn’t diminish the intensity or duration of emotions; instead, it keeps them bottled up, preventing resolution. This suppression can have detrimental effects on mental and physical health, including increased stress, anxiety and depression

When a child presents with a “stomach ache”, emotional burden is often a likely cause. Symptoms that worsen in the mornings before school can indicate anxieties related to school or even school phobias, which are sadly common today.