 |
Deadly Stress - Seven Ways in Which Too Much Unrelenting Stress Can Kill You
Author: Elisabeth Kuhn  | Posted: 30-06-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 11 | Rating: (139)  (?) 
Maybe this sounds a little overdramatic, but unfortunately the reality is that excessive, untreated stress can actually kill you. When you're stressed, your body produces the hormone cortisol, which is designed to get your rear in gear as part of the fight-or-flight mechanism. However, this hormone is meant to be released only occasionally in small doses - when stress causes it to be secreted for long periods of time, the body reacts with a variety of different health consequences.
The following are seven of the major health effects caused by stress. If you're experiencing any of these conditions and believe they may be linked to stress, seek medical counseling as soon as possible:
1. Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when the body produces too little insulin to process all the sugars in your body. As these sugars build up, you may experience a number of health problems including thirst, headaches and weight loss. Over time, the condition can cause complications ranging from heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage, nerve damage, diabetic neuropathy, skin conditions, and gastrointestinal problems.
2. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is often referred to as a "silent killer" because there are few actual symptoms that present with the disease. High levels of stress can bring on this condition, which can result in an aneurysm, coronary heart disease, enlarged heart, damage to the brain and even heart attack. If that isn't a good enough reason to learn to manage your stress - I don't know what is!
3. Weight Gain
People under high levels of stress often experience fluctuations in weight - as anyone who's ever taken comfort in candy bars knows all to well. However, if your weight gain gets out of control, you could be putting yourself at risk for developing cancer, heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, liver disease and gallbladder disease. If you notice that you've put on a few pounds, try hitting the gym - exercise is also a natural stress reliever.
4. Susceptibility to Disease
Your body can only do so much - when you're under constant pressure, its resources are being diverted to help respond to stress. This leaves the immune system compromised and susceptible to infection by viruses and bacteria. If you've ever noticed yourself coming down with a bug when you're at your most stressed, it isn't just a coincidence - it's your body letting you know that you're under too much stress to handle safely.
5. Depression
Constant stress can make you feel like there's no way out of your predicament, which can eventually lead to feelings of hopelessness and depression. Depression is a serious disease - it's nothing to take lightly. If you find yourself feeling trapped by feelings of despair and despondency, seek professional help immediately.
6. Heart Disease
Type A people beware - stress can and does cause heart disease and heart attacks. Stress contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries. As the arteries narrow, the heart has to push the blood even harder to distribute it throughout the body. Over time, this extra stress on the heart can have devastating effects.
7. Cancer
While there's no proven link between stress and cancer, it's widely accepted that excessive stress is a risk factor for developing a type of this deadly disease. Overall, stress weakens the immune system which may allow cancerous tissues to develop and flourish. If you feel that excessive negative stress is causing your immune system to break down, seek help to learn effective stress management techniques that allow you to cope properly.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/deadly-stress-seven-ways-in-which-too-much-unrelenting-stress-can-kill-you-467668.html
About the Author:And if you recognize yourself or someone you care about in this article, you are invited to get Elisabeth Kuhn's FREE report with seven stress-reducing strategies. If you want Elisabeth's full-sized version instead, with lots more strategies (including an introduction to EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique), here's instant stress relief.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Foods That Fight Health Problems - Part III
By: Kevin Pederson | 23/03/2006 | Health
- Blackberries - Blackberry is packed with catechin and epicatechin. These two compounds neutralize free radicals that damage cell's genetic material and provoke cancer. Catechins help to lower cholesterol levels which in turn reduces the risk of heart di
Which Exercise Suits you Best?
By: Sitagita.com | 12/02/2008 | Fitness
The answer to this depends on what your motivation is – are you aiming to lose weight? Are you wanting to maintain your weight after you have achieved your target? Do you simply want to enjoy all the health benefits of exercise or is it your intention to just increase your fitness levels? Is it all of these? ....
Foods That Fight Health Problems - Part II
By: Kevin Pederson | 23/03/2006 | Health
- Bananas - Mother Nature's perfect snack. No preparation, no washing or refrigeration. They are prepackaged in a biodegradable wrapper for perfect enjoyment.
Dangerous Denial
By: Carol Mason | 22/02/2008 | Wellness
Many people live in a state of denial regarding their health, ignoring chronic problems such as hypertension, elevated cholesterol and high blood sugar. This can lead to disability and premature death and is totally unnecessary.
Foods That Fight Health Problems - Part I
By: Kevin Pederson | 24/03/2006 | Health
Research shows that most people who eat the widest variety of foods are more likely to meet their nutrients requirements and remain healthy than those who get stuck in the food rut.
Which Exercise Suits You Best?
By: Sitagita.com | 10/03/2008 | Art and Entertainment
The answer to this depends on what your motivation is – are you aiming to lose weight? Are you wanting to maintain your weight after you have achieved your target? Do you simply want to enjoy all the health benefits of exercise or is it your intention to just increase your fitness levels? Is it all of these? Well, whatever your answer, you must remember that the choice of exercise ...http://www.sitagita.com/view.asp?id=9707
The Epidemic of Obesity
By: Kadence Buchanan | 29/08/2006 | Non-Fiction
One of the most serious problems dieticians have to encounter is that of obesity. According to the American Obesity Association (AOA), general and regional trends, urbanization are the primary causes that led to the recent increase in obesity rates.
The Top 7 Health Problems Linked to Trace Mineral Deficiency or Imbalance
By: Dr. John Heinerman | 15/04/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
Here are the seven most serious health problems linked to trace mineral imbalance or deficiency (in alphabetical order)
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Health Articles
What Makes Smoke Inhalation Dangerous
By: Rachel Yoshida | 06/09/2008
Most would agree that it is not natural, but what really happens when smoke is inhaled?
Dealing With Menstrual Flooding
By: Rachel Yoshida | 06/09/2008
It is not a popular subject,but there are many that needs this information if you are having trouble in this area.
Treatments And Medications for ADHD
By: Paul Hata | 06/09/2008
There are mainly two types of treatment which is generally used to cure the ADHD types of treatment for ADHD; pharmacological and non-pharmacological. It is been found out in various studies that 70% to 80% children are benefited by the stimulant drugs.
How to Prevent Stomach Ache and Abdominal Pain
By: Robert Sifer | 05/09/2008
For stomachache in children, parents should notice habits and symptoms of their children. For adults, they also should notice themselves which food that they consume always cause stomach pain to them and try not to eat those food.
Improving Your Emotional Intelligence May Be As Easy As Getting More Sleep
By: Brenda Skidmore | 05/09/2008
Have you ever wondered how hard you should be working at solving a challenging problem in your life? No matter what the challenge may be, that little extra edge advantage may just lie in something that a lot of people seem to take for granted now days.
Cystic Acne - Pizza Face and Other Names
By: Jeremy Thompson | 05/09/2008
Cystic acne is one of the worst types of acne there is. Often people with serve cystic acne are called pizza face because to the redness which appears in their face.
How to Trim Your Medical Wait Time in Half
By: Jay Siva | 05/09/2008
Patients often wait months if not years for a medical transplant and other life saving surgery and time is not on your side when you're in dire need of medical care. Find out how you can cut that time in half.
Its a Social Service to Empower Those We Care For
By: John Mce | 05/09/2008
People with physical or psychological problems often need help with their everyday lives but still wish to be as free and self-governing as possible. Care workers can provide this practical support on a daily basis without stifling the person, and as the industry advances we are seeing very encouraging improvements from both the giver and receiver of social services such as care.
More from Elisabeth Kuhn
Stress Relief With Herbs: Discover How These Herbal Remedies Can Calm You Down In A Hurry
By: Elisabeth Kuhn | 19/08/2008 | Health
You've heard about herbs and that they might bring stress relief, but you may have hesitated. Are they safe? Which ones to take? How much? Which ones are the best ones?
Sure, there's Valium, but synthetic drugs can have so many side effects. How about something more...
Job Stress, Health, And Unexpected Consequences: How Stress-Caused Health Problems Can Kill Your Career
By: Elisabeth Kuhn | 19/08/2008 | Careers
In Japan they have a word for what happens when you work too much, so much until you fall over dead: Karoshi, which means death by overwork. But even in Japan, most people don't usually die from working too much - they just get sick and suffer. ...
Stress Relief Games Are Not an Oxymoron - How to Lower Your Stress by Playing Games Online and Off
By: Elisabeth Kuhn | 03/08/2008 | Self Help
Stress relief games? Not too long ago, I hadn't even heard of the concept. But then, life used to be a whole lot less stressful. Most people's daily routines gave them all the tension relief they needed. But times have changed. In the age of multi-tasking and ever-expanding workloads, we...
Favorite Stress Relief Gifts - Seven Perfect Treats to Soothe Your Harried Loved Ones
By: Elisabeth Kuhn | 03/08/2008 | Self Help
Figuring out what gifts to give used to be hard. It's getting easier lately, if only because there's one common denominator we all have: Way too much stress. Which means that just about anyone will appreciate a stress relieving gift.
And it's not hard to find them. The Internet is awash...
The Best Stress Relief Toys: For When You Want to Play Your Stress Away
By: Elisabeth Kuhn | 03/08/2008 | Self Help
Remember nerf balls? Back in the 'old days', they were the ultimate stress relief toys. You could bounce one off your annoying brother's head without fear of putting his eye out or giving him a cracked skull, regardless of how much you felt he deserved it.
In recent years, the...
Half-Price Hair Coloring: Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the Color You Love and Saving Money Too!
By: Elisabeth Kuhn | 10/07/2008 | Women's Issues
Love to color your hair or cover the gray but hate the price, especially if you have short, chin-length, or thinning hair and find yourself throwing out half the color afterwards? Ever wonder how to get more value out of a bottle? I did too. And I've figured out a...
Student Stress and Academic Performance: Seven Ways in Which Too Much Stress Can Affect Your Grades
By: Elisabeth Kuhn | 30/06/2008 | Education
You've probably been hearing the same mantra since elementary school - if you don't get good grades, you won't get into a good college, you won't get a good job and you'll end up living like a bum on the street...
All joking aside, your academic performance really does affect what...
More List Building Secrets - 7 Reasons Why You Must Build a Responsive List For Internet Marketing Success
By: Elisabeth Kuhn | 30/06/2008 | Internet
Everyone talks about how great list marketing is, but it sure is a lot of work! You've got to set up an autoresponder, develop free content to draw customers in and then get your message out where your prospects can see it! However, the old saying rings true - if...
|
|
Health 
