The Six Signs That Stress is Affecting Your Health

June 15th, 2018

Feeling stress is not unusual. Eight out of ten Americans feel stress during the day according to a 2017 Gallup Poll. Stress is the way our brains and bodies react to any demand whether it is work, family, finances or life changes. Sometimes stress is helpful as it pushes the body to meet the challenge but if stress is not controlled, it can affect your health. Here are six body reactions that can be brought on by long-term stress.

Pounding heart

One of the common signals of stress is a rapid heartbeat. This can lead to increased blood pressure. If not addressed, this increased demand on your heart can produce an irregular heartbeat. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can also increase the chances of a heart attack or stroke.

Heavy breathing

When you are under stress, there is a tendency to breath heavily and rapidly which can put strain on the lungs. This rapid intake of air brings in more oxygen than the body needs and causes a drop in the normal levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. This imbalance puts a strain on the heart to work harder.

Upset stomach

Being stressed affects your gastrointestinal system and sends it out of balance. The longer the feelings of stress continue, the more likely symptoms will increase. The symptoms include indigestion, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea and nausea. If left untreated, stress can also increase the chances of developing ulcers or irritable bowl syndrome.

Clenched muscles

The way each person reacts to stress can vary but many people react to stress by contracting different muscle groups in the back, face or neck. The longer the tension on these muscles continues, the harder it is to relax the muscles even after the stress has been relieved. Tension headaches, grinding of the jaw muscles on the teeth and neck pain are some of the consequences of uncontrolled stress.

Inability to fight disease

When you are under stress, your immune system goes on high alert. However, the immune system cannot continue to operate at this high level for a long time. When stress is present over a long period of time, the immune system wears down and is able to rally when a real threat like disease germs are present.

Gaining weight

The body has hormones that are released when your body needs more energy in a hurry. One of these hormones is cortisol. This hormone increases the level of sugar in the blood while suppressing the immune system which gives your body a boost of energy and makes it less reactive to other issues. While this is an ideal situation for someone about to run a marathon, it isn’t ideal for daily living. The cortisol can lead to a weight gain which can increase high blood pressure and cause heart issues.

Controlling stress during recovery after a medical event

There are many ways to reduce and control stress in daily life which helps in overall health. But controlling stress after a major medical event can be more challenging. The body is dealing with a variety of stressors from pain to healing. For the best recovery outcome, it is important to reduce stress so that the body can operate properly. Recovering after a hospital stay at a short-term rehabilitation facility is an effective way to reduce the negative effects of stress and return as quickly as possible to an active lifestyle. Having access to professionals around the clock who can control pain, address concerns and administer proper care is both comforting and effective. Instead of worrying about accidentally falling, getting dressed or preparing meals, your focus can be on recovery with supportive staff helping every step of the way.

Glenview Terrace can provide this reduced stress environment where there are experienced staff members meeting your every need. Guests who choose Glenview Terrace, which has earned Medicare’s highest five-star rating, will have access to board-certified medical directors and physicians from local hospitals to ensure a safe and effective recovery. Guests work one-on-one with licensed therapists seven days a week on outcome-focused strategies designed to develop strength and endurance and range-of-motion. A clinical nurse liaison can complete a personalized assessment even before you leave the hospital to make sure all is ready upon arrival at Glenview Terrace. A nurse practitioner is on-site to work directly with your physician to help quickly diagnose and manage your medical needs.

This effective period of recovery is set in elegantly appointed surroundings. Comfortable rooms with deluxe walk-in showers, satellite television and daily housekeeping services make your stay comfortable. Morning coffee and the newspaper are delivered to the rooms daily. An attentive concierge team is available to help fill special requests to make the stay as enjoyable as possible.

To help reduce stress during recovery after a hospital stay, consider Glenview Terrace. With its outstanding clinical outcomes and acclaimed therapy, you can expect to get back to the independent lifestyle you desire. For additional information or to arrange a tour, visit glenviewterrace.com or call 847-729-9090.

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