#Health 13 Facts About Stress You MUST Know

Every Nigerian whether rich, average or struggling can not
run away from stress . The ones in the last two category can
relate more to stress . The economy is bad , the rent is due,
school fees , feeding and other bills keep pilling up. You tell
yourself everyday that you need a miracle but what
you really need is to calm down and take a break. WHAT?!
Who ’ s going to put food on your table when you do that ,
but did you know that stress poses a great threat for
diabetes and heart attack by altering blood sugar levels?
This can cause fatigue, impulsive mood changes , and
hyperglycemia. Just so no one becomes a victim of any
medical condition induced by stress ,

We bring you 13 illuminating facts about stress you
must know …

    –Stress is one of the main
factors causing insomnia and other sleep disorders. When
stressors are present, the body naturally heightens its
response system , thus , leading to wakefulness.

   – Laughter is usually the best natural medicine. 

It lowers levels of cortisol, adrenaline , and epinephrine, which are
stress - aggravating hormones ; and it releases feel - good
hormones , such as , dopamine.

   – Chewing gum eases , not only the jaw , but stress as well .
Ancient Mayans and Greeks chomped on resin gum ; stress
sure had been around a long time.
   – Stress causes chest pain, high cholesterol, cardiac
problems , depression, and a host of assorted problems. It is
not the culprit that causes gray hair ; but it does cause hair
loss .
   – In the 1930s , Hans Selye , an endocrinologist, first used
the term stress in an organic framework . He used the term
in his study with animals which, he concluded , had similar
responses to stress as humans, e . g. , hypertension, lingering
back pain , and chronic abdominal problems.
   – Highly stressed women have a higher tendency for
suicide , particularly working mothers who lack substantial
support and understanding from others, than most women
with moderate levels of stress .
   – Bringing up a family in a highly developed and urbanized
city – where everyone has to put up with the high costs of
living , rising crime rate , traffic congestion and air pollution,
is highly stressful .
   – General causes of stress include major life changes ,
threats , fear, uncertainty , excessive worries, lack of
adaptability , personal life events and conflicting thoughts or
behavior.
   – Signs and symptoms of stress include memory problems ,
lack of concentration , moodiness, irritability , low
temperament , anger , body aches , diarrhea or constipation ,
changed eating patterns , nausea, etc .
   – Affecting the body & the mind, stress deteriorates the
overall well - being of a person and takes a heavy toll on
one’ s health. Some of the stress -related disorders include
bodily pains, cardiovascular diseases , digestive problems,
sleep disorders , autoimmune disorders, depression and
weight problems .

   – In times of stress , the muscles become tensed and can
trigger migraines , headaches , and other musculoskeletal
problems . Premature aging and susceptibility to depression
and anxiety are also important effects of stress .
   – Stress can negatively impact the reproductive system . In
men, sperm count reduces and stress can even cause
impotence. In women, irregular menstrual cycles and more
painful periods are commonly experienced .
   – Chronic stress may trigger Telogen effluvium , a scalp
disorder , leading to hair loss .

-This publication was first seen in INFORMATION NIGERIA.