Physical Illnesses Related To Stress

Stress can induce all sorts of physical illnesses. Because no two individuals react in the same way to a given stressor it is often hard to know if stress is causing a physical illness or if it is something else.

It is safe to say, however, that prolonged and chronic stress is bad for the health. Here are some common physical illnesses that may result from chronic stress, starting from annoying to seriously bad for the health.

Annoying physical illnesses

People under constant stress will be more susceptible to colds and flu's and other infectious diseases.
It is thought that their immune system is weakened by too much stress hence, coughs and colds will be picked up and will take longer to shake off.

Aches and pains in muscles and joints are often down to unrelieved stress. Chronic stress can change the condition of the blood and this can impact the circulatory system which causes the aches and pains.

Grinding of teeth is another symptom of stress that can facilitate the need for dental work.

Tension headaches and profuse sweating are often brought on by sudden stress.

Unpleasant physical illnesses

Insomnia and an inability to maintain deep sleep could be considered a physical consequence of stress. A lack of sleep can cause more physical illnesses as the body becomes more run down.

The stomach often suffers due to stress. Stress might cause diarrhoea, constipation, cramps and bloating. It can also lead to irritable bowel syndrome and exacerbate peptic ulcers.

A loss of sexual desire is not uncommon, this can include temporary impotence in men and intensified PMS or shutting down of the menstrual cycle for women.

Serious physical illnesses

Heart disease can be caused by chronic stress. Constant irregular heart beats caused by stress can affect the heart and inner linings of the arteries. An increase in hormones and amino acids in the blood  precipitated by stress can lead to blood clots and strokes.

Summary

In reality, if stress is not addressed, many annoying illnesses of stress will lead to more serious consequences. It is better to be consistently addressing the causes of every day stresses or at least having an outlet for them that can help to defuse the stress. By being proactive you will defuse any issues that might lead to serious or fatal illnesses like heart disease.

In this respect, there are two ways to treat stress.

The first is to identify the cause of the stress and then develop a method or strategy that gives you more control over the stressor or situation.

The second approach is to have an outlet from any stressors that you cannot control. You will never be able to completely control a situation so doing something that gives you a break from the situation is just as important. Do something you enjoy as an antidote to the stressful situation.