Benzo belly can manifest in several ways, with symptoms often resembling those of other digestive disorders. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs and take the first step toward a healthier, substance-free life. If you or a loved one is struggling with benzodiazepine dependence and experiencing benzo belly, The Recovery Village Salem is here to help. Our programs include medical detox, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient services tailored to meet your unique needs. Effective management of benzo belly is crucial for restoring an individual’s quality of life and facilitating a successful transition away from benzodiazepine dependence. Symptoms may interfere with social interactions, work productivity, and mental health.
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When you’re being weaned off benzos, your health care provider will monitor your symptoms and provide you with a general timeline for recovery. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines will feel physically and psychologically uncomfortable, but it’s rarely lethal. The only other symptoms of withdrawal from benzodiazepines that involve the GI tract or the nearby organs are nausea and inconsistent breathing. It’s slightly less common than other symptoms but still prevalent, and it’s little-understood by both the people experiencing it and the medical community. Effective benzo belly treatment options can help alleviate discomfort and improve your well-being during withdrawal. To avoid worsening benzo belly symptoms, it’s important to gradually taper off the medication under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Our specialized benzo detox program alleviates symptoms, eases the benzo belly discomfort, and guides you toward lasting recovery. Those who go through benzo withdrawal often experience intense, debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms include nausea, cramps, and abdominal pain, and some people are likely to experience worse symptoms than others.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and are concerned about your benzodiazepine use, seek help. The symptoms of benzo belly can be severe and long-lasting. You don’t have to face the pain of benzodiazepine addiction or withdrawal alone.
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Seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room. In most cases, these annoying symptoms can be triggered by eating and drinking. As a result, you’re less likely to experience pain and cramps. Eating smaller meals and sticking to a healthy diet will make digestion easier.
- It’s essential to consult healthcare professionals before making any changes to medication regimens or attempting to manage withdrawal symptoms.
- The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.
- Our specialized benzo detox program alleviates symptoms, eases the benzo belly discomfort, and guides you toward lasting recovery.
- These symptoms can adversely affect the gut microbiome and lead to long-term digestive issues.
Effective management of benzo belly is crucial for restoring a person’s quality of life and facilitating a successful transition away from benzodiazepine dependence. Symptoms may affect their social interactions, work productivity, and overall mental health. It is essential for individuals experiencing benzo belly to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any medication. These medications aim to address the specific symptoms of benzo belly.
Managing Benzo Belly Symptoms
They bind to GABA-A receptors to decrease nerve cell excitability and produce calming effects. Benzodiazepines are psychoactive prescription drugs that enhance the effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. In the event of a medical emergency, call a doctor or 911 immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
It’s also not uncommon for people addicted to prescription drugs to try to detox on their own. Don’t hesitate to seek help—professional support can make a huge difference in your recovery. Treatment programs, medical detoxes, and therapy options provide essential support. Staying patient and focusing on self-care will help you through this difficult time.
- Here are a few things you can do to manage the painful symptoms.
- Healthcare professionals evaluate the patient’s medication history, including dosage, duration, and frequency of benzodiazepine use, along with any other substances that may influence withdrawal symptoms.
- Their severity can depend on numerous factors, such as the duration of use and the specific benzodiazepine medication involved.
- When the drug is reduced or stopped, the sudden change in GABA activity can lead to disruptions in the digestive process, resulting in benzo belly.
- Unfortunately, after using these drugs for a few weeks, your body will stop producing these hormones naturally.
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The condition stems from the body’s complex reaction to the discontinuation of these medications, which affect gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain. While the exact cause of ‘Benzo Belly’ remains unclear, it is widely recognized as a withdrawal-related phenomenon. These medications work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to calm the nervous system.
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The gut-brain axis relates to the connection between the emotional and cognitive areas in the brain to the digestive tract. Some research suggests that the benzo belly is related to the brain-gut connection. Crucially, unsupervised withdrawal can also lead to life-threatening complications like seizures. They can help you manage your symptoms, so you don’t have to consume larger amounts of the drug to feel better. Some people report that drinking and eating usually worsen the pain. After the acute withdrawal phase, pain can last for a few months.
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Physical symptoms include abdominal pain, irregular bowel movements, and severe stomach discomfort. Benzodiazepine medications such as Xanax often cause gastrointestinal disturbances and digestive health issues. By treating anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health issues alongside addiction, we prevent one from intensifying the other. Many of these services are part of our dual diagnosis treatment, which simultaneously what is benzo belly addresses substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Ardu’s drug detox services prioritize safety while addressing the physical and psychological effects of withdrawal. Detox is the critical first step in overcoming benzodiazepine addiction, especially when dealing with the challenging symptoms of benzo belly.
A study published in “The Journal of Clinical Investigation” explores the existence and the effects of something called the gut-brain axis, a system of nerves and reactions that tie these two regions of the body directly together. A few scientific theories seek to explain the link between breaking dependence on these psychiatric drugs and the unique symptoms that affect the gastrointestinal tract, or the gut. These symptoms are more acute, meaning that benzo belly symptoms can last much longer than these initial side effects, so it doesn’t seem like there’s a strong link between these factors. Putting a stop to your benzo use will improve your day-to-day life, but the withdrawal process will need to be a slow taper closely monitored by a doctor. In order to find the source of benzo belly, we first have to reexamine some of the other symptoms of benzo withdrawal. Many people report that it worsens when they eat or drink anything at all, sometimes to the point that it can restrict or cause pain while breathing.
What Is Benzo Belly? Causes & Symptoms
Benzodiazepines, commonly known as “benzos,” are a class of prescription medications used to treat anxiety, insomnia and other conditions. Implementing lifestyle modifications can significantly aid in managing benzo belly. A thorough assessment is necessary to differentiate benzo belly from other conditions with similar presentations.
At The Hope House, we offer personalized care to help you manage withdrawal and build a strong foundation for long-term recovery. If you’re experiencing benzo belly, it’s important to be gentle with yourself and focus on healing. This is because the central nervous system and digestive system are both trying to readjust at the same time.
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This suppresses neural activity, resulting in soothing and calming effects. This is a class of drugs primarily used to manage anxiety and seizures. In some cases, symptoms may resolve once the medication is discontinued or adjusted.
While their primary use is for conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and seizures, benzodiazepines also play a significant role in managing gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Managing this condition requires a gradual tapering process under medical supervision to minimize symptoms and improve recovery outcomes. ‘Benzo Belly’ is a more distressing gastrointestinal symptom of this withdrawal, characterized by bloating, abdominal discomfort, and digestive disturbances. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can cause a range of symptoms, from mild anxiety to severe complications like seizures.