It is normal to be stressed at times, such as in a traffic jam, in difficult situations at work or in an argument. However, if the problem becomes recurrent, it can start to affect the body. Thus, the physical symptoms of stress become increasingly frequent and long-lasting, requiring a little more attention.
To treat any disease, the first step is to understand its signs and recognize that there is a problem. Therefore, in this post we have separated 5 physical symptoms of stress for you to know if you need to see a doctor. Check out!
1. Headaches and body aches
According to a study carried out in Italy with 267 people with chronic headache, more than 45% of them reported the appearance of the problem after a stress crisis. Similar research has shown that focusing on the same concern contributes to headaches.
But the pain is not always restricted to the region above the neck. On the contrary, it is common for them to manifest themselves in other parts of the body as well, especially legs, arms and back. The result is a feeling of tiredness and generalized fatigue, which does not pass even after a long period of rest.
2. Acne and skin problems
The skin is one of the organs that most shows physical symptoms of stress. Small red pellets, acne, peeling and even bruising can appear. Incidentally, allergies without known causes can be caused by stressful situations.
The worrying factor is that these symptoms can be treated as isolated problems and unrelated to psychological and emotional issues. Thus, it is essential to stay alert and see a doctor, especially if the condition is persistent.
3. Common colds and flu
An Australian study showed a close relationship between physical symptoms of stress and respiratory infections, such as colds and flu. The researchers concluded that 70% of people in a group subjected to stressful situations had more health problems.
This is believed to be because stress affects immunity, reducing the body’s resistance to disease. It is not yet known exactly why this happens. However, it is often associated with a weakened immune system, as well as poor diet, insomnia and a sedentary lifestyle.
4. Digestive problems
Gastritis, ulcers, diarrhea and constipation are very common physical symptoms of stress. This happens for several reasons, such as greater irritation of the intestinal mucosa. Not to mention that many of the sphincter’s actions are activated by our brain which, unconsciously, can have its functions impaired in stressful situations.
5. Difficulty sleeping
Finally, it is important to note that stress is one of the main causes of insomnia. After all, excessive fatigue and constant worry about a problem can alter the sleep pattern.
Likewise, accumulated stress also causes more tiredness, fatigue and sleep during the day. That is, the person cannot sleep at night and is drowsy the rest of the time, in a vicious cycle.
These are just some of the physical symptoms of stress. Others that we can mention are loss in libido and appetite, hypertension , hair loss and even bruxism . If any of them arise, seek medical attention immediately for proper treatment.
