1. Stress and the Immune System
Scientists don't understand the exact mechanism, but they do know that stress prevents the immune system from functioning properly. This decreased functioning may lead to stress-induced diseases or at least diseases that are exacerbated by stress. The immune system may also falsely believe that it is fighting off diseases that are not real due to the constant high levels of the stress hormones. Either way, prolonged stress may cause short-term or long-term damage to the immune system and result in sickness.
2. Gastrointestinal Issues
The stomach and gastrointestinal tract may suffer from too much stress hormone being present in the body on a continual basis. Stomach acids may be released in too high a quantity and cause damage to the lining of the stomach. The body's ability to digest foods may be affected, and ulcers can occur. Overeating may be linked to chronic stress, because it stimulates appetite at the wrong time of the day. Many people who overeat at night report high levels of stress.
3. Diabetes and Stress
Diabetes is not directly caused by too much stress, yet it is adversely affected by stress levels in the body. The diabetic patient already has difficulty recovering from physical ailments, and that alone may be a source of stress. Stress signals the body to produce more glucose, but the diabetic patient cannot produce enough insulin to compensate, which results in high blood glucose readings. Uncontrolled diabetes leads to a variety of other health issues, such as heart or kidney disease, poor vision and even high blood pressure.
4. Stress and Heart Disease
Experts don't totally understand how stress causes heart disease. What they do agree on, however, is that stress and heart disease are somehow linked. Chronic stress may affect the heart by keeping heart rate elevated at high levels over a long period of time. Blood pressure tends to increase during stressful episodes and may result in heart disease after a prolonged period of time. For those who have a family history of heart disease or have been told that they have heart disease, it is important to find ways to reduce stress to avoid further complications.
5. Mental Health Diseases
Depression and anorexia are both viewed as treatable diseases or disorders that are linked to stress and the body's ability to manage it successfully. Increased anxiety over time can cause depression to worsen. Anorexia is also viewed as a disease that is strongly linked to stress. Girls with anorexia tend to manage stress by controlling their eating habits in destructive ways. Controlling stress in healthy ways can alleviate both diseases in conjunction with medication and therapy.
