5 Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Stress
According to the American Institute of Stress, about 33% of Americans report high-stress levels annually. A majority of people experience stress that affects their mental and physical health. Stress is a psychological and physiological reaction to a condition, a situation, or an event that is challenging and threatening. There are various potential causes of stress Poway, including long-term unemployment, increasing debt, grief, loss of a source of income, a traumatic event, and marriage troubles.
There are different types of stress, including acute and chronic stress. Acute stress is the least damaging and most common type of stress, and it involves an immediate response of your body to a perceived threat or challenging situation. For instance, you may experience acute stress when an alarm clock goes off, you need to answer a particular phone call, you are to take a test, the police stop you, or you narrowly avoid an accident.
If you suffer constant acute stress, it may develop into chronic stress. Chronic stress is a prolonged feeling of pressure on the body. Consequently, below are potential signs and symptoms you may have chronic stress.
- Low libido
Chronic stress can interfere with hormone levels in the body, which causes low libido or loss of sex drive. Stress can make you less interested in sexual activity by keeping your mind distracted by other things.
Moreover, chronic stress may cause the narrowing of your arteries. Arteries help distribute oxygen-rich blood to different parts of your body, including the penis. You can achieve and maintain an erection due to the triggering of your blood vessels to expand to deliver sufficient blood to the penis.
- Insomnia
The Journal of Sleep Research established that chronic stress might make it harder for you to fall or remain asleep.
If you do not get enough sleep, you may feel tired and sleepy during the day. Avoid sleep disturbances or insomnia related to chronic stress by adhering to a strict sleep schedule, ensuring the bedroom temperature is comfortable, avoiding caffeine and nicotine before sleep, and regularly exercising.
- Unusual sweating
It is normal and healthy for you to sweat. Sweating enables your body to control its temperature and remove toxic substances.
When you encounter a stressful situation or condition, your body releases the adrenaline hormone to prepare your body for a fight or flight response. The release of adrenaline increases your sweating, heart and breathing rate, and blood pressure.
If you have chronic stress, you will sweat more than usual.
- Digestive issues
Chronic stress puts you more at risk of digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, heartburn and acid reflux, and digestive disorders.
You will feel the signs and symptoms of chronic stress on your stomach because it slows down digestion. That is because your body diverts its internal energy to your heart and muscles to prepare a fight-or-flight response.
Chronic stress may also increase acid secretions in your stomach, leading to digestive issues.
- Weight gain or loss
You may eat a little or too much without noticing when you have prolonged high-stress levels. As a result, you may gain or lose weight.
Other potential signs and symptoms of chronic stress may include persistent headaches, hair loss, and chest pain.
Contact Gain Wellness Center today to schedule an appointment with a specialist in stress management.