What to Know About Stress

Stress affects our bodies in many different ways. Even though you don't work on Wall Street doesn't mean you don't suffer from stress if you're a housewife. As a matter of fact, motherhood and the daily stress of raising children can raise anyone's blood pressure. Does that make their stress any different from that experienced by a stockbroker? School students experience extreme stress and pressure as well as a high-powered corporate attorney. Stress these days isn't measured by any job description. Stress is stress, no two ways about it. But stress caused by different factors can affect the body in different ways. Stress from a high pace job may result in ulcers while stress caused by daily child rearing activities can result in a pounding headache.

Stress is a state of mind and one that our body reacts to and can affect all age groups at the most unexpected times. Some people thrive on stress while others freak at the least little bump in the road. Work related stress is familiar to most of us, but did you know there is also 'relationship' stress and 'child rearing' stress?

Stress is natural, to some degree. It's the way out body reacts to pressures or responsibilities that seem overwhelming. Stress is capable of causing irritability or depression if not eventually addressed. Stress is our ancestral way of dealing with danger. We react to stress in a 'fight or flight' response. Most of us deal with new situations in a calm, rational manner, but for some people, stress accelerates the heartbeat and causes sweaty palms and shaking hands. Those symptoms are caused by adrenaline being pumped into your bloodstream. Even if the situation isn't dangerous, glucose and fatty acids increase in order to provide our body with adequate levels of energy, just in case we need to run.

Most stressful situations won't demand that we make a hasty escape, even if we want to. Finding ways to deal with stress, one that works for you is the key to managing stress before symptoms affect your health.

Stress can present itself as restless sleep or severe stomach pains that result in ulcers. A stress symptom can lurk beneath the surface of your conscience until it strikes as a heart attack. A stress symptom doesn't have to include the obvious, such as shaking hands, upset stomach, and an increasing sense that you're riding an uncontrolled roller coaster. Stress can also present itself as difficulty concentrating and a growing sense of irritability that may cause people wonder what's gotten into you.

Dry mouth, restlessness, and tremors while sleeping and awake, are all stress related symptoms. While short periods of stress are normal, we usually, we all get over it. Chronic stress, however, is different than sporadic stress and can cause long-term health problems for those who don't identify and treat such symptoms. While stress doesn't typically cause injury or death, it can contribute to medical conditions that do, and when left untreated, can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, heart problems, including high blood pressure and heart attacks, and skin conditions and migraines.

If you suffer from stress related symptoms for more than a week, listen to your body. Try to identify the cause of your stress and take steps to resolve it. 'Waiting it out' doesn't work in most people. Feelings of despondency that may lead to severe depression can creep up on people, leaving some contemplating suicide. You know what's normal for your body and what isn't. So make sure you pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Be sure that if you experience any chest pains that radiate into the neck and left arm, that you have someone immediately take you to an emergency room. Also schedule a visit with your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing or if you experience a sudden weight loss or gain. Don't take stress lightly. Most stress symptoms can blindside you if you don't listen to your body.