This article was featured on imom.com. Head over there to check out more great resources for moms!
Click here to check it out!
You're stressed. We're stressed. Everyone's stressed. No big deal,
right? Because it's so common, you might think that if you're not lying
on the floor from exhaustion, you're probably fine. But stress has an
insidious way of creeping up on you, and it's not just a mental or
emotional issue—stress symptoms can impact the body in some very visible
(and bizarre) ways.
"One of the biggest problems I see in my practice is women coming in
with multiple physical signs of stress," says Nancy Molitor, Ph.D., a
psychiatry professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of
Medicine. In fact, a new study found that stress and other negative
emotions were consistently linked to poor physical health in more than
150,000 people in 142 countries. That's because the mind and body are
intrinsically connected:
"Emotional stress alerts the body to produce stress chemicals such as
cortisol, which—if produced on an ongoing basis—begin to break down the
immune, gastrointestinal, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems,"
says Molitor.
What's worse, those physical symptoms you end up with (um, bald
patches) can bump up your emotional angst even more. If you don't break
the cycle, you're left with an ugly feedback loop that increases your
chances of serious issues such as obesity, depression, and heart
disease.
The best ways to reduce your overall stress is to get enough sleep
(seven to nine hours a night for most people), eat healthful food,
exercise, reach out to supportive pals, and focus on things within your
control. You can also learn to read your body and recognize the
not-so-obvious signs that you're
overstressed before it all snowballs into a long-term health condition. Keep an eye out for these red flags.
Stomachaches:
The brain's nervous system is linked to the gut's, so mental stress
can wreak havoc on your GI tract, says Bincy Abraham, M.D., a
gastroenterologist at Baylor College of Medicine. Depending on your
situation, your doctor may treat your tummy troubles with
over-the-counter drugs (stool softeners), prescriptions (such as
antinausea meds), or dietary changes (fiber can restore your gut's
stress-ravaged helpful bacteria).
In the meantime, the best natural remedy for stress-caused
constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting is. . .exercise. It may
sound like the last thing you want to do when your stomach is aching,
but heading out for a run can boost endorphins that make the mind and
gut feel better.
Hair Loss:
Roughly three to six months after a majorly stressful event, like
getting axed from a job or ending a big relationship, you might notice
more hair on your brush or in the drain than usual (shedding around 100
strands a day is normal). Super-high levels of sex hormones called
androgens, which zoom up during stress, could mess with hair follicles
to prompt temporary hair loss, says Roberta Sengelmann, M.D., a
dermatologist in Santa Barbara, California.
There's no one food or supplement that's proven to restore your
locks, but eating a balanced diet can help cell growth and healing.
Eyelid Twitching:
These annoying muscle spasms typically occur around one eye and last
for a few minutes. Stress is one of their most common causes, though
doctors aren't quite sure why.
When a twitch strikes, close your eyes, try to relax, and breathe
deeply. Inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds,
then exhale for eight seconds. Repeat this four times while using a
fingertip to put mild pressure on the lid that's twitching.
Over-the-counter artificial tears can also help ease the spasms,
which dry eyes can exacerbate, says Anne Sumers, M.D., of the American
Academy of Ophthalmology. If the twitching spreads to other parts of
your face, see a physician—it could be a more serious type of spasm.
Stress can short-circuit your immune system, causing dormant skin issues to act up.
Acne:
Just like your hair, your skin is sensitive to those
higher-than-normal androgens, which can bring on breakouts, says
Sengelmann. Talk to your dermatologist if your zits keep coming back—the
chronic inflammation can lead to scarring. (As hard as it is, resist
the urge to pop the suckers, which only adds to the inflammation. And
you're more likely to end up with scarring when you're stressed and your
body's ability to heal isn't at its peak.)
Oral and topical prescription meds, as well as certain soaps, can
help unplug pores and wipe out the bacteria that cause acne. Your
dermatologist might also suggest you go on birth control, or switch up
what you're already on, to balance out your hormones. And be sure to
stick to noncomedogenic (i.e., non-pore-clogging) makeup, moisturizers,
and sunscreen.
Back Pain:
The hormones your body pumps out when you're stressed produce a
fight-or-flight response, which—along with raising your blood pressure
and heart rate—tightens up your muscles. "If you're trying to outrun a
predator, that's good," says Joanne Borg-Stein, M.D., of Harvard's
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. "But if it's all the time, that sort
of chronic stress response can lead to pain." Plus, muscle aches are par
for the course if you're hunched over at your desk all day worrying
about deadlines.
Movement is the best remedy, so if your back is in knots, stand up
every hour and do some stretches, such as reaching your arms over your
head, touching your toes, and rolling your neck and shoulders. Also try
to get in a 10- to 15-minute walk around the office or outside once or
twice a day.
Rashes:
Stress can bring on mysterious rashes or flare-ups of preexisting
conditions. That's because it can throw your immune system—not to
mention your skin's defenses—out of whack. When these are lowered, you
could become susceptible to rash-causing skin infections caused by
staph. On the flip side, if your immunity goes into overdrive, your skin
will become more sensitive, making a dormant issue like eczema act up.
In either case, bland emollients, including gentle OTC moisturizers,
can help you heal. "If that doesn't help, or if the rash is accompanied
by a fever or other flu-like symptoms—chills, sweating—see your doctor
right away," advises Sengelmann.
The information provided in this article by Women’s Health is news that iMOM thinks you need to know. Recommendations are the opinions of the CDC and not necessarily those of iMOM.
Medical information within this site is not intended for use
in the diagnosis or treatment of any health condition. Please consult a
licensed health care professional for the treatment or diagnosis of any
medical condition
.JPG)
.JPG)