Stress is the body's natural response to pressure. Stress can come from a variety of situations, including work, relationships, financial problems, relocation, marriage, and so on.
Although stress by itself is not harmful, improperly managed stress can have negative impacts on your health. Over time, stress accumulation can lead to illnesses or worsen pre-existing conditions.
What kinds of diseases can be caused by stress?
Stress can either cause or worsen a number of diseases, including:
Depression and other mental health conditions
Prolonged stress can be a risk factor for developing depression and other mental health conditions. Depression can have an impact on a number of aspects of life, including appetite, sleep patterns, concentration, loss of interest in favorite things or activities, and intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released as part of the body's reaction to stress. A long-term increase in cortisol can impact various bodily functions, including the immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. In addition to being a major cause of depression, unmanageable stress also breeds hopelessness, particularly if you feel helpless to deal with the triggers.
Insomnia
Stress can be one of the causes of insomnia. Stress on a daily basis from relationships, jobs, or other matters can cloud the mind and make it difficult to fall asleep. Anxiety and worry over different aspects of life can also lead to sleeplessness.
Cardiovascular disease
Prolonged stress can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in several ways, including:
- Stress can cause an increase in blood pressure due to the release of stress hormones. High blood pressure is one of the main risk factors for stroke and heart disease
- Stress leads to unhealthy behavioral changes that can affect heart health, such as smoking, overeating, inactivity, and excessive alcohol use
- Stress can impact the cardiovascular system by causing alterations in blood vessel structure and the release of catecholamine hormones, which can ultimately impair heart and blood vessel function
- Prolonged stress disturbs the body's hormonal balance, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and changes in lipid metabolism and vascular function
- Stress increases inflammation in the body, which raises the risk of heart disease and vascular problems
Common cold
Stress can weaken your immune system and increase your vulnerability to infectious illnesses like the common cold.
HIV/AIDS
Because stress has a substantial negative influence on mental health, it is linked to HIV/AIDS disease getting worse. People with HIV are more prone to anxiety due to discrimination, negative stigma, uncertainty about treatment side effects, and disease progression. Such anxiety can trigger depression, which can affect the effectiveness of treatment.
Digestive problems
Stress can have a negative impact on the digestive tract and lead to a number of digestive issues, including GERD, peptic ulcers, cramps, bloating, nausea, and disorders of appetite.
Cancer
Stress can affect overall health and increase the risk of cancer in several ways, including:
- Triggering hormonal changes that can affect cancer development
- Causing chronic inflammation in the body that triggers uncontrolled cell growth
- Triggers unhealthy lifestyle choices that are risk factors for various cancer types, like smoking, drinking alcohol, not exercising, and overeating
You should think about obtaining assistance from a counselor, therapist, or psychologist if stress is contributing to health issues like severe dyspepsia, insomnia, anxiety, or depression. They can offer guidance and assistance in managing stress and preventing it from causing further health issues.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
Looking for more information about other diseases? Click here!
- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
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Cleveland Clinic (2021). Stress. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11874-stress
Jon Cooper (2023). Stress and Depression. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/stress-depression
American Psychiatric Association (2020). What Is Depression?. Available from: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
Mayo Clinic (2024). Insomnia. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355167
American Heart Association (2020). Chronic stress can cause heart trouble. Available from: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/02/04/chronic-stress-can-cause-heart-trouble
Elizabeth Scott, PhD (2023). Common Signs and Symptoms of Too Much Stress. Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/common-symptoms-of-too-much-stress-3145238
National Institute of Mental Health (2023). HIV, AIDS, and AIDS health. Available from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/hiv-aids
Ashley Welch (2023). How Stress Affects Digestion. Available from: https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/united-states-of-stress/how-stress-affects-digestion/
Canadian Cancer Society. Does stress cause cancer?. Available from: https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/reduce-your-risk/myths-and-controversies/does-stress-cause-cancer
