Stress Illness
Can You Get a Stress Related Illness?
Is there such a thing as stress illness? Absolutely. And, if the stress in your life is not managed well, you are a prime candidate for getting sick, from stress overload. The stress you have today may turn from simple stress symptoms into illness. Stress related illness occurs because your immune system and your nervous system are weakened over time by constant stress and tension. In time, your immune system becomes so run down that you are open to all kinds of stress related illness--from a simple cold to devastating illnesses like heart disease or cancer.
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Even a common cold can be a
stress related illness.
What does a stress induced illness look like?
Stress illness and diseases form due to the weakening of the immune system and the nervous system. Stress weakens the immune system, reducing the number of cells in the body which are responsible for defending it. A run-down immune system makes way for many different illnesses and diseases to develop. Increasingly, scientists believe that one of the major causes of breast cancer is stress, anxiety and tension. With greater amounts of stress, tests show that cancerous tumors show growth. When the immune system is not functioning properly, due to an overload of stress, the cancer itself may increase. There is also a strong association between stress and cardiovascular disease, and acute stress is associated with increased blood pressure. Chronic stress can lead to cardiovascular disease as its prolonged activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Chronic prolonged stress may contribute to the development of heart disease, cholesterol levels and stroke. Sometimes stress can affect the skin, causing acne or hives. The body’s natural reaction to stress, the 'fight or flight' response, may cause stress induced hives or a stress rash. When a person experiences stress for a prolonged period of time their immune system may not be able to defend the body from illness and disease and sometimes shows imbalance in form of hives or a rash. Stomach ulcers may be a stress related illness. Stress produces excessive stomach acids which can damage the lining of the stomach. Reducing stress reduces acids, promotes healing and good digestion. While the body is in its ‘fight or flight’ state all the energy is drawn away from the digestive system and prevents proper digestion. As you can see, stress illness can take many forms. However, taking control of your life and
handling stress in a positive way
, will help you avoid stress causing illness in your life!
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