Stress has been linked to all the leading causes of death: cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. 43% of all adults suffer stress-related adverse health effects and 75-90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints or disorders. An estimated 1 million workers are absent each day with stress related complaints, resulting in more than 25 billion workdays lost annually because of absenteeism.
Effects of Stress
Stress may increase blood pressure, heart rate, heart contraction, blood flow to active muscles, muscular strength, mental activity and metabolic rate. At the same time stress may decrease blood flow to areas not needed for rapid activity, such as the kidneys and intestines. It may dilate pupils and bronchial tubes, release glucose from the liver, shunt blood from the gastrointestinal (GI) system and decrease the function of the immune system.
Mental effects of prolonged Stress
Stress directly affects our mental health. Prolonged stress may lead to metal fatigue and a loss of spontaneity and creativity, as well as confusion, including forgetfulness and difficulty making decisions. Stress also may cause anxiety including feelings of panic, tension, frustration, irritability, anger, resentment, depression, decreased feelings of self worth, decreased intellectual functioning and boredom.
Social ramifications of prolonged Stress
The social implications of stress may include loss of health, love, position, and security. Prolonged stress may lead to procrastination (avoiding responsibilities at work and home), lack of concern for others (which may result in deterioration of relationships), reduced effectiveness in communication (including an inability to listen to others), emotional hypersensitivity with a tendency to overreact to others, or feelings of isolation and alienation with a tendency toward suppression of feelings resulting in withdrawal. You may feel as though you have lost control, be quick to anger and aggressive; many people become involved in high risk behaviors such as gambling, drug use and alcohol abuse.
Stress related illnesses
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Other Ailments: |
- Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- Cancer
- Depression
- Angina pectoris
- Diabetes mellitus
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Hypertension (high Blood Pressure)
- Ulcers
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Oral Conditions
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- Muscle related conditions (tension headaches, body aches and pains, etc.)
- Allergies (asthma, hives, hay fever)
- Common colds
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Warts
- Skin rashes
- Herpes
- Graying of hair, dandruff
- Gout
- Loss of hair
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Cortisol deficiency: "Adrenal Fatigue"
Adrenal fatigue is usually preceded by a prolonged period of excess cortisol symptoms caused by prolonged stress or chronic illness. Thyroid may reduce cortisol levels so one should take caution when using Thyroid supplements with low cortisol levels. The main symptoms of cortisol deficiency are:
- Extreme fatigue
- Allergies
- Feeling cold all the time
- Can't get started in the morning
- Low sex drive
- Feel "flat" or "burned out"
- Depression
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- Unstable blood sugar with sweet cravings
- Chemical sensitivities
- Symptoms of low progesterone
- Irritability
- Symptoms of hypothyroidism
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How are my hormones tested in urine?
A 24 hour urine collection will reveal how your body is metabolizing and using your hormone. We will be able to detect what happens to your hormones in a 24 hour compared to blood, which is just a snapshot of what occurs in your body at that time when the blood is drawn. In other circumstances, we might choose to use overnight urine collection (urine collected during the night or first void in the morning). The 24-hour and the overnight correlate well. We work very closely with the laboratory to assure accuracy in order to obtain adequate interpretation. In other circumstances we do choose to do saliva testing. We might choose to use both blood and urine in order to help out for interpretation. Medicine is an art and not a cookbook recipe and every individual is different and unique.
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