13 diseases caused by stress that affect physical and mental health | High blood pressure | depression | | welfare

Modern world a Fast pace of lifeVarious standard requests and TechnologyUndoubtedly it has become a favorable environment for exposure mental stress. It is a universal fact that affects people of all ages and manages to overcome any kind of barriers in contemporary society. Lifestyles. First Work pressures Family and social concerns, stress can manifest in different ways and thus have a significant impact Health Y Mana.

“Mental health is at a state of urgency and is one of the biggest current and future concerns in the health sector. Today, it is estimated that 5% of the world's population suffers from anxiety and depression, and when the factor of stress and overweight is added, it creates the perfect equation for the development of physical and mental illnesses. Mental It is necessary to acquire the necessary knowledge about the tools to manage stress, to try to lead a healthy life as much as possible, which allows to establish positive personal relationships, meditate and connect with nature from time to time. Internist Dr. Jorge Martinez of the International Health Clinic said.

What is stress?

Stress is the body's natural response to situations that are perceived as real or imagined threat. As Karen Perez Marawi, a psychologist and professor at the Graduate School of Continental University, said, stress can be of two types: on the one hand, acute stress, which is an immediate response to a stressful situation, which usually disappears during the event. has passed Meanwhile, chronic stress is a prolonged form of this reaction that can last for weeks, months, or even years, with long-term negative effects on physical and mental health.

“Stress can be triggered by various factors such as work pressure: tight deadlines, conflicts at work, job insecurity, long hours and excessive responsibilities, as well as concerns related to lack of money: debt and financial insecurity. They can also be significant sources of stress: family, friend or relationship conflicts, As well as various important life changes such as moving, starting a new job, getting married, divorcing, having children, losing a loved one or facing a serious illness.”

What are the symptoms of stress?

According to the psychologist, stress can manifest itself in different ways and affect physical and mental health, some common symptoms are:

• Mood changes: These include irritability, anxiety, sadness, sudden changes in mood, or feeling overwhelmed by emotions.
• Sleep problems: Difficulty falling asleep, feeling tired falling asleep or waking up.
• Changes in appetite: There may be a loss or increase in appetite, which may lead to changes in body weight.
• Fatigue: A persistent feeling of tiredness or lack of energy, even after adequate rest.
• Body aches: Experiencing muscle aches and headaches, neck or back tension, abdominal pain, or other physical symptoms without an obvious medical cause.
• Psychiatric problems: Chronic stress can contribute to the development or worsening of anxiety disorders, depression, or other mental health problems.

“It's important to remember that stress can create new symptoms or exacerbate chronic health conditions. Deterioration from chronic illnesses are indicators of high levels of stress.” The internist noted.

What physical and mental illnesses can be caused by stress?

Dr. According to Martinez, stress can cause or worsen health problems such as:

• high blood pressure: When a person experiences stress, the body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline into the bloodstream. These hormones have physiological effects that can raise blood pressure.
• Hyperglycemia: Helps increase blood glucose levels. If stress is chronic or persistent, changes in these levels can become more pronounced and long-lasting, increasing the risk of developing hyperglycemia in people with diabetes or a predisposition to it.

• Cardiovascular Diseases: In addition to increasing blood pressure, it also increases cholesterol levels, thereby increasing the risk of developing heart diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
• Chronic pain: Stress can increase pain sensitivity and contribute to the development of chronic pain conditions such as acute headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, and chronic muscle tension.
• Neurology: Excessive stress can trigger an inflammatory response in the body and increase the sensitivity of the nervous system, making people more likely to experience or worsen nerve pain.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Stress can lead to problems like irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers, heartburn and diarrhea.
• Immune System Suppression: This prolonged reaction can weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections.

At the same time, at the mental level, an expert from Continental University highlighted the following conditions:

• Anxiety disorders: Chronic stress can trigger anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Depression: Stress increases the risk of developing depression. Symptoms include: persistent sadness, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, changes in appetite and sleep, fatigue, and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
• Sleep disorders: This can interfere with sleep quality and lead to the development of sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome.
• Eating disorders: Chronic stress can cause or worsen eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
• Impulse control disorders: Stress can promote the development of impulse control disorders such as pathological gambling disorder, kleptomania, and trichotillomania.
• Substance Abuse: This natural reaction can increase the risk of substance abuse, such as alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription drugs. Specifically, substance abuse may be a way to cope with perceived stress.

“It also has an important impact on a cognitive level, as people may have problems with concentration, memory, rumination or rapid thinking, thus affecting their ability to think creatively or find effective solutions to problems.”

What are the risk factors that increase the chance of developing these diseases?

Among the most determining risk factors are the following:

• Genetic predisposition: This factor can affect how a person responds to stress and their vulnerability to developing stress-related illnesses such as anxiety disorders, depression, and cardiovascular disease.
• Previous traumatic experiences: Past traumatic experiences such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, violence, serious accidents or traumatic events in childhood can also be a determining factor.

• Lack of social support: Poor interpersonal relationships, social isolation or lack of support networks can increase vulnerability to stress and contribute to the development of mental health problems associated with this natural response of the body.
• Unhealthy Lifestyles: Factors such as unhealthy diet, lack of regular exercise, tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use can increase the prevalence of developing stress-related health problems.

“Although all people are affected by stress, there may be persistent differences between genders and age groups, which are usually related to psychological factors, living conditions and family environment. For example, women experience more stress than men, and young people may be more vulnerable to some of the effects of stress.Jorge Martinez said.

What strategies can help manage stress and prevent the development of these diseases?

First of all, as emphasized by the expert of the International Clinic, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes habits such as a balanced diet, regular physical activity, achieving good quality sleep and how to. Avoid consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. Undoubtedly, these features help to strengthen the body and mind, better cope with daily stress and therefore, reduce the negative effects on general health.

“Another great strategy for reducing stress and improving mood is to practice self-care, which means dedicating a moment each day to activities that enhance your overall well-being, such as pleasure and hobbies, reading, art, music, or time outside. Likewise, practicing relaxation techniques can help your So we can consider techniques like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi, visualization or progressive muscle relaxation.”Recommended by Karen Pérez.

Finally, if stress becomes overwhelming or makes daily functioning difficult, it is important to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor who can provide support, guidance, and various tools to effectively manage stress. Additionally, a mental health professional must conduct a thorough assessment to understand the nature and severity of stress and its effects on a person's physical and mental health.

“This includes identifying specific triggers, assessing symptoms, and determining the impact on quality of life. Basically, a treatment plan or personalized intervention should be developed, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, etc. Prevents health problems from worsening over time.