Stress is remarkable in its ability to cause or alter physical pain and diseases, and not for the better. Psychological stress can aggravate conditions such as migraine headaches, high blood pressure, diabetes--so, yes, stress can make your stomach hurt, along with other parts of your body.
Digestive System
According to Merck.com, the digestive system is greatly impacted by the mind and any anxiety, fears or depression that an individual might be suffering from. Emotions affect body functions, including sleep patterns, stomach acid secretion, bowel movement, heart rate, sweating and blood pressure. It is believed that depression can suppress the immune system. When that happens, a person is more susceptible to infections.
Anxiety
If you are under stress, this can cause anxiety. Anxiety then triggers the autonomic nervous system and epinephrine, which is a hormone, which accelerates the heart rate, increases blood pressure and produces sweat. Stress leads to tension in the body.
Stress Hormone
No one responds exactly the same way to stress. Some people tolerate stress better than others or may not find a particular situation worrisome, so that person doesn't respond as intensely. Others may react strongly. During a stressful situation, the pituitary gland releases cortisol, which is considered the stress hormone, according to Medicinenet.com. The purpose of cortisol is to increase the body's fuel supply, which is needed in order to respond to a stress. However, if an individual's cortisol levels remain too high for too long, muscle breaks down, the immune system is suppressed and there is a decline in inflammatory response. The cortisol is no longer helping you cope but is making you less able to cope. Your physical symptoms may increase.
Brain-Gut Axis
Scientists know that there is an important connection between the brain and the digestive system. Psychological factors can cause intestinal contractions and the secretions of digestive enzymes and can impact other digestive system functions as well. Susceptibility to infections can result in digestive disorders, and this is influenced by the brain. This is called the brain-gut axis. If you have chronic stomach pains, irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis, this is going to affect your behavior, your ability to function and your emotions. Your stomach pain causes stress; your stress causes stomach pain. It's something of a vicious cycle.
Contributing to the Problem
We may be our own worst enemies, compounding our response to stress by eating too much or eating the wrong things, or by drinking to excess and smoking. What we eat, how much we eat, when we eat it and maybe even what we don't eat, can foul up our digestive systems and make our stomachs cramp.
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