Know these Physical Symptoms Of Stress

Here are the physical symptoms of stress to watch out for since we are all being affected by the environmental disasters and problems in our economy around the globe.

Many are suffering from severe stress which may result in having:

• - sleep disturbances,
• - muscle tension,
• - muscle aches,
• - headaches,
• - gastrointestinal disturbances, and
• - fatigue.

Emotional and behavioral symptoms are also physical symptoms of stress including:

• nervousness,
• anxiety,
• changes in eating habits including overeating,
• loss of enthusiasm or energy, and
• mood changes, like irritability and depression.

These physical symptoms of stress do not necessarily mean that you have a high level of stress since all of these symptoms can be caused by other medical and/or psychological conditions.

But, if you are under stress, watch out for these unhealthy behaviours, such as

• excessive use or abuse of alcohol and drugs,
• cigarette smoking,
• lack of exercise and
• poor nutritional choices

These unhealthy behaviors can increase the severity of your physical symptoms of stress, often leading to a "vicious cycle" of symptoms and unhealthy behaviors.

Each person handle stress differently. What may be stressful for one person may not be stressful by another. Likewise, the symptoms and signs of poorly managed stress will be different for each person.

People who are poorly nourished, who get inadequate sleep, or who are physically unwell have a reduced capacity to handle pressures and stresses of everyday life and may report higher stress levels.

There are certain age groups or life stages that are more vulnerable to stress. Children, teens, working parents, and seniors are examples of the groups who often face common stressors related to life transitions.

If you are suffering from undue stress at this point in your life, find out about a alternative therapy in relieving your body by using 100% natural herbs for stress.

It is important to understand the role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis when we are under stress.The HPA axis is a grouping of responses to stress by the brain, and the pituitary and adrenal glands.

1. First of all, the hypothalamus (a central part of the brain) releases a compound called corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), which was discovered in 1981.

2. Secondly, the CRF then travels to the pituitary gland, where it triggers the release of a hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH).

3. Thirdly, ACTH is released into the bloodstream and causes the cortex of the adrenal gland to release the stress hormones, particularly cortisol, which is a corticosteroid hormone.

Cortisol increases the availability of the body's fuel supply (carbohydrate, fat, and glucose), which is needed to respond to stress.

However, if cortisol levels remain elevated for too long, then muscle breaks down, there is a decreased inflammatory response, and suppression of the immune (defense) system occurs. Suppression of our immune system can lead to many illnesses

When our immune system is compromised, many doctors prescribe corticosteroids in measured doses which are used to treat many illnesses that are characterized by inflammation or an overactive immune system, such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.

For the same reason, they are used to help reduce the chances that our body will immunologically reject a transplanted organ.

Doctors have to be very careful in prescribing corticosteroids which can cause fluid retention and high blood pressure.

Therefore, it is critical that the response to corticosteroids be carefully controlled (modulated).

This control usually is accomplished by a feedback mechanism in which increased cortisol levels feeding back to the hypothalamus and pituitary turn off production of ACTH.

To read more information on stress, go to stress, symptoms, causes, signs, types of stress

NOTE: In addition, extremely high levels of cortisol can cause mental changes, including depression and psychosis, which disappear when the levels return to normal.

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