• How does stress affect our digestion?
• Where does the body store trauma?
• Why does past trauma increase your risk for IBS?
• What can you do if you think trauma caused your IBS?

It’s such a cruel statistic. Children who are abused or impoverished are more likely to experience numerous health problems when they grow up. Histories of trauma, sexual abuse, maternal neglect – they all get wrapped up in a category called “Early Life Adversities,” or ELA. And if you faced adversity while growing up, your risk for irritable bowel syndrome increases two- to four-fold.

Although IBS affects 12-15% of adults, doctors still can’t explain what causes this troubling disorder. In part, that’s because irritable bowel syndrome only describes your symptoms – and a great number of different problems can manifest as the same symptoms. However, the startling connection between childhood trauma, PTSD, and IBS has led scientists to ask this question: How can early life adversity lead to IBS?

This article explains how childhood traumas are physically stored by our bodies, what scientists have learned about the mind-body connection’s role in gut health, and how this could impact your IBS treatment.