understanding how does stress affect health | Health

By AnnTriune
Total views: 5
Word Count: 561

Asking how does stress affect health is a top priority. Most of us may already be aware of the various studies that point to stress as a major factor in certain conditions. The question is whether there is any truth to the news that stress can be harmful to our health.

The truth is that researchers are still trying to determine the exact effects of stress. There are several studies that show a tentative but strong connection between stress and certain health problems. Some things are already certain though. Studies show for example that at the most, 90% of complaints in clinics are due to stress with 43% of people suffering badly from stress. The OSHA itself has said that stress is a major work hazard.

Ongoing studies seem to show that people are often more prone to certain conditions. Here are some of the possible health problems that people under stress may have to face:

- Stress may be responsible for certain heart ailments. The hormones produced during a state of stress increase blood pressure and heart rate. This increase will in turn put too much pressure on the arteries. This could harm them, cause them to thicken, and eventually lead to heart disease.

- One major answer to how does stress affect health has something to do with the immune system. People under stress tend to be more prone to colds and infections. This is because the hormone cortisol which is present in large amounts when under stress also tends to hinder the work of the immune system.

- You could experience weight problems because of stress. Stressful situations could result in more energy getting consumed. This means you probably need to eat more than you usually do. This could result in putting on more pounds. Your weight could also take a down turn. This could happen if you become too focused on stressful situations to eat. In this case, you are putting yourself in even more danger by depleting your energy and nutrient resources.

- Stomach distress is a common bedfellow of stress. You may feel like wanting to discharge when you are tense. This is caused by the speed up of the digestive process that is brought about by the effects of the stress hormone. You could also develop hyperacidity if you make it a habit to prioritize your responsibilities over your meal schedule.

- People who are too tense are in danger of developing mental disorders. This can only be expected since too much anxiety can naturally lead to an anxiety disorder or to depression. When mental problems surface, the social and physical aspects of oneself can also become affected and potentially neglected.

- Naturally, stress can also cause insomnia. If you tend to worry over your concerns until way after the day is done, you could lose valuable sleep time. Sleep is a must have for everyone. If you can't get enough of it, your body and its organs won't get enough rest too. You end up performing poorly and feeling fatigued.

- Stress also translates to a variety of body problems that don't seem to have any other clear cause. You could experience muscle aches, headaches, gum disease, hair loss and many more.

So how does stress affect health? As these conditions would show, it can affect it in various ways. Make it a point to learn to manage stress to ensure your health.

About the Author

Avoid stress-related diseases. Find answers to questions on how does stress affect health and on how to manage stress effectively.

You are here Articles > Health