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Symptoms of stress, long-term or very intense, can affect the he alth and condition of the entire body. Living in constant nervous tension causes serious ailments, which sometimes only worsen after the stressful situation is over. Heart attack, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, alopecia - these are some of the undesirable symptoms of long-term stress.

Chronic stress symptom: headaches and chronic headaches

Headaches are the result of excessive and prolonged tension and muscle contraction triggered by adrenaline and stimulation of the nervous system. The pulsating pain in the temples appears already in a stressful situation and slowly increases, covering the entire head.

Patients feel as if they have a tightening hoop on their heads. This may be accompanied by a stiff neck (neck), photophobia, sensitivity to noise. Tension pain is usually not too severe. It lasts a few minutes and repeats itself several times a day, or it lasts for weeks. Then we have the impression that our scalp or hair hurt. Chronic pains last for months and years. Then the slightest stress intensifies a dim headache.

Chronic stress symptom: heart and circulatory system diseases

Under the influence of cortisol and adrenaline, the tone of sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers increases, influencing the work of the heart and peripheral blood vessels. The stimulation of sympathetic fibers speeds up the heartbeat up to 3 times, while the parasympathetic ones slow it down. This leads to palpitations, arrhythmias (magnesium metabolism disturbed in stress also contributes to this), and even cardiac arrest. Stress hormones are also responsible for increasing the level of an inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (CRP), which promotes cardiovascular disease, from the formation of atherosclerotic plaques to a heart attack.

High levels of cortisol, adrenaline and aldosterone (this hormone disrupts the water and electrolyte balance) promotes high blood pressure, which can lead to a heart attack and stroke. Cortisol raises triglyceride levels and lowers good cholesterol (HDL), leading to a build-up of cholesterol and other fats in the vessel walls in the form of plaque. Eventually, the vessel narrows so much that the blood cannot reach the heart. Retention of blood in the veins (due to increased clotting)leads to vascular damage and the formation of blood clots, which obstruct blood flow and lead to blockages.

Chronic stress symptom: digestive problems

As a result of emotional tension, the autonomic nervous system is disturbed. It sends commands that disturb the functioning of the digestive system, even though it is built properly and performs its function properly, i.e. digestion and absorption are normal. Growls and pains in various parts of the abdomen, gas, feeling of fullness, diarrhea or constipation may be signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (disruption of bowel movements). Heartburn (acid reflux disease) is often the result of abnormal muscle contractions in the esophagus or stomach.

Chronic stress symptom: duodenal and stomach ulcers

High levels of adrenaline strain the mucosa of these organs, obstructing the blood supply and impairing the regeneration of epithelial cells, thereby increasing their susceptibility to hydrochloric acid. All this leads to a weakening of the epithelial immunity and mucositis, erosions or the development of peptic ulcer disease. There is even talk of stress ulcers, which, under the influence of strong tension, can appear overnight.

Chronic stress symptom: skin problems

Sometimes it is red spots on the face and décolleté, other times it is hives. Stress also promotes the onset and exacerbates the symptoms of rosacea. All skin changes are the result of a hormonal vascular play. Androgenic stress hormones do not help the skin.

Chronic stress symptom: backache

Backaches are the result of muscle tension and overload, which become as hard as a stone under the influence of adrenaline. In the moment of danger, we hide our head in our arms and tilt it back. The cervical and thoracic vertebrae bend. To maintain proper posture, other muscles have to work. This usually causes pain in the cervical or lumbar region.

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Chronic stress symptom: mycosis of intimate places

The development of mycosis is favored by the reduction of the body's immunity and, at the same time, by the excess of androgenic hormones. This leads to the disturbance of the natural bacterial flora of the mucosa of female organs and the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria.

Chronic stress symptom: hair loss

Excess androgenic hormones often cause hair loss and alopecia areata in women. Strong stress can contribute to hair loss overnight.

Chronic stress symptom: tightness in the throat

The feeling of choking, difficulty swallowing, the sensation of a lump in the throat - occur not only in times of stress, but also when the causes of nervousness are long gone. They are the result of muscle tension in the throat and larynx.

Chronic stress symptom: diabetes

Disorders in the work of neurons regulating body weight and high levels of adrenaline, cortisol and growth hormone, responsible for the increase in blood glucose levels and impairment of its use by body cells, contribute to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Chronic stress symptom: cycle dysregulation, infertility

This is due to the disturbed work of the hypothalamic "generator" producing hormones that control the monthly cycle, i.e. stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete tropic hormones, which in turn affect the work of the ovaries producing estrogen and progesterone - in various concentrations depending on the cycle phase.

There is a hormonal game, as a result of which menstruation becomes less frequent and abundant. In addition, as a result of stress, the pituitary gland produces prolactin, a hormone that is naturally released during pregnancy and breastfeeding to inhibit ovulation. Then, with the balance of the other sex hormones, fertilization is impossible.

Chronic stress symptom: obesity

During chronic stress, the amount of NPY hormone acting only in the brain, which is responsible for storing fat in cells, increases. Together with cortisol, they trigger obesity, the so-called abdominal, and not only because of the greater appetite. The adipose tissue around the abdomen has the most cortisol-sensitive receptors, which "opens" fat cells, allowing them to accumulate fuel. In stressful situations, the production of leptin - a hormone produced in adipose tissue, which has an opposite effect to NPY (gives a feeling of fullness) decreases, so that is why we gain weight.

Chronic stress symptom: osteoporosis

Excess cortisol impairs calcium metabolism and its storage in bones. In addition, it increases the excretion of the mineral by the kidneys. All of this may give rise to an illness or make it worse.

This is how stress works on the body!

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Category:

Psychology