• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Ulcerative Colitis / How Stress and Gastro Issues Affect Kids With Autism

How Stress and Gastro Issues Affect Kids With Autism

gastrointestinal issues

For some children with autism, there’s a connection between gastrointestinal issues and stress, anxiety and social withdrawal, a new study suggests.

The findings could help efforts to develop personalized treatments for autism patients with gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pain and constipation, the University of Missouri researchers suggest.

Such problems tend to occur more often in children with autism than in those without the disorder.

“Research has shown gastrointestinal issues are associated with an increased stress response as well as aggression and irritability in some children with autism,” says Brad Ferguson, an assistant research professor at the university’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

RELATED: 15 Things Everyone Should Know About Autism

The link between stress and gastrointestinal issues

“This likely happens because some kids with autism are unable to verbally communicate their gastrointestinal discomfort as well as how they feel in general, which can be extremely frustrating,” Ferguson said in a university news release. “The goal of our research is to find out what factors are associated with gastrointestinal problems in individuals with autism so we can design treatments to help these individuals feel better.”

In the study, Ferguson and colleagues analyzed health data from more than 600 young patients who have autism with gastrointestinal issues. They found more evidence that the connection between the brain and the digestive tract — the gut-brain axis — plays an important role in gastrointestinal problems in people with autism.

“Stress signals from the brain can alter the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine in the gut, which control gastrointestinal motility, or the movement of stool through the intestines. Stress also impacts the balance of bacteria living in the gut, called the microbiota, which can alter gastrointestinal functioning,” Ferguson explains.

“The gut then sends signals back to the brain, and that can, in turn, lead to feelings of anxiety, depression and social withdrawal,” he adds. “The cycle then repeats, so novel treatments addressing signals from both the brain and the gut may provide the most benefit for some kids with gastrointestinal disorders and autism.”

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease

Solving this complex problem and developing treatments requires an interdisciplinary team of specialists, according to Ferguson.

He’s now involved in a clinical trial to assess how a stress-reducing medication affects gastrointestinal issues.

Tips for raising a special needs child

Parents of children with special needs face a number of challenges, so here’s some advice from an expert.

Continue Reading

The Latest In Ulcerative Colitis

antibiotics

Does Antibiotic Use Raise Your Odds For Ulcerative Colitis?

The more antibiotics that seniors take, the greater their risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a new study suggests. The findings could help explain some of the increase in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (common types of IBD) among older adults, according read more about Does Antibiotic Use Raise Your Odds For Ulcerative Colitis?
Crohn’s disease

Living With Stomach Pain for Years. He Never Imagined It Was Crohn’s.

Jarrell Williams was used to having pain in his abdomen. The 28-year-old Native of Chicago had experienced this pain for years, but one day in January 2021, the pain was more intense than usual.  It was sharp and consistent, but read more about Living With Stomach Pain for Years. He Never Imagined It Was Crohn’s.
bananas

Don’t Go Bananas – But Maybe Eat One

On the screen, bananas are a menace. Just ask Charlie Chaplin, Bugs Bunny or anyone who's played Mario Kart. In your diet, though, bananas can be a boon. Experts have a bunch of reasons to like them and see only read more about Don’t Go Bananas – But Maybe Eat One
stomach pain

6 Types of Stomach Pain You Should Never Ignore

It's normal for humans to push away or ignore things that we personally don’t think are serious. Sometimes living without a care in the world or allowing the saying “ignorance is bliss” to be your mantra of life can be read more about 6 Types of Stomach Pain You Should Never Ignore
drinking tea

5 Reasons to Start Drinking Tea Today!

Tea is praised for being one of the healthiest drinks on the planet. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants that have many health advantages, which may help those with ulcerative colitis. These benefits may include: improved brain function fat loss read more about 5 Reasons to Start Drinking Tea Today!
ulcerative colitis

5 Alarming Myths About Ulcerative Colitis in Black Americans

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The other type of IBD is Crohn’s disease. Discussing bowel disorders is not always a simple conversation, particularly when discussing racial disparities in the treatment of these disorders. A read more about 5 Alarming Myths About Ulcerative Colitis in Black Americans

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • The McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On LoveThe McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On Love
  • Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)
  • Black Don’t Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes ViralBlack Don't Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes Viral
  • Aleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech PathologistAleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech Pathologist
  • Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: “Unresponsive, But Stable”Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: "Unresponsive, But Stable"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.