Many medical conditions can be caused by chronic stress. The effects of excess cortisol and glucocorticoids suppress immunity, increasing risk of infection, disease and inflammation. Stress-related medical conditions include gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, skin, psychological and reproductive disorders.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Gastrointestinal problems that can be caused or exacerbated by the presence of daily stressors include peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and esophageal reflux. According to Sapolsky, symptoms that accompany gastrointestinal problems can range from mild abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort and heartburn to diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting and acid reflux. Moderate and serious complications include increased frequency, changes in stool formation or color, weight changes, arthritis and, potentially, cancer.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders
The American Heart Association suggests that stress is among the top precursors of cardiovascular disorders. Hypertension occurs when tension raises pressure in the arteries which carry blood from the heart to the extremities. Too much pressure over extended periods can cause the arteries to harden and lead to organ failure, excess pressure in the eye, thickening of the heart muscle, heart attack and stroke.
According to the American Institute of Stress, allergies, bronchial asthma and hyperventilation problems are also highly attributable to stress. Stressors are often the culprit during attacks and can be linked to symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, profuse sweating and similar lung responses (similar to an asthma attack) induced by panic. These physical manifestations of respiratory disorders are often more attributable to personality, reactions to stress, and perceived threats than to the environment itself. Similarly, symptoms of stress can also mimic an allergic reaction via dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, rash, itching, and hives.
Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders
Davis, Eshelman and McKay's book, "The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook," approaches stress from multiple angles related to the musculoskeletal system. The presence of stress can be felt throughout the body, particularly in the neck and shoulder areas. Stress can cause spasmodic pain and tension, body aches, lower back pain, tics and muscle twitching. Symptoms can remain mild until higher stress is experienced, making them more noticeable and problematic.
According to Lavallo's "Stress and Health: Biological and Psychological Interactions," skin disorders such as eczema, acne, psoriasis and alopecia areata--hair loss not attributed to typical genetic causes or patterns--can result from daily stress. Symptoms can range from mild to moderate breakouts and hair loss. Skin disorders and alopecia areata are also stressors in their own right, being obvious to others, and can compound the stress level of the situation. What is occurring beneath the skin is an attack on the body's immune system. When the body is experiencing high levels of stress, the immune system reacts to the stress as it reacts to any foreign antigens. Inflammation occurs at the site of the invading bacterium, thus leading to skin irritation and flare-ups. In the case of alopecia areata, the body assumes the hair follicle is the foreign antigen that requires attack which leads to the hair loss.
Psychological and Reproductive Disorders
In "Foundations of Health Psychology," Friedman and Silver posit that stress can trigger somatic complaints such as body aches, pain and sleeplessness, psychological disturbances such as anxiety, self-medicating or eating disorders, and emotional problems. According to Sapolsky, the most commonly reported symptoms include insomnia, frequent headaches, personality changes, irritability, anxiety and depression. Stress can lead to concentration problems, low sexual desire or libido, performance anxiety, excessive worry or guilt, nervousness, anger, frustration, hostility, mood swings, changes in appetite, racing thoughts, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, social withdrawal, alcohol and drug abuse and impulse control disorder.
Sapolsky also notes that reproductive problems can be attributed to stress. These reproductive disorders include menstrual disorders, recurrent vaginal infections and premature ejaculation. These physical complaints, symptoms, and treatment methods are often stressors in their own right, and can compound the psychological problems.
References
- "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers (2nd ed.): An Updated Guide to Stress, Stress Related Diseases, and Coping"; R. Sapolsky; 2004
- "Foundations of Health Psychology"; H. Friedman & R. Silver; 2007
- "The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook"; M. Davis, E. Eshelman & M. McKay; 2008
- "Effects of Stress"; American Institute of Stress; 2010.
- "Stress and Health: Biological and Psychological Interactions"; Lovallo, W.; 2004.
