So you’ve got a little stress in your life. No big deal, right? You’re tough and
you can handle it. Maybe you’ve got it under control, but stay alert — stress can
cause many different problems. Here are a few things stress can lead to:
Sleep disorders, leaving you fatigued and more prone to accidents and illness
Anxiety, nervousness and irritability, making it difficult to get along with
people Loss of concentration, making you perform poorly at school or
on the job Weight gain or weight loss A weaker immune system,
making you more susceptible to colds, illnesses, minor infections and diseases
Abandonment of healthy habits, such as exercising and eating well, which may,
in turn, create other health problems A contributing factor in many conditions,
such as heart disease, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, headaches,
and arthritis Muscle pain; including neck, shoulder, and low back pain,
often caused by constant tension in the muscle because of stress. Stress also affects
rheumatoid arthritis Stomach, digestive and intestinal problems such
as gastro esophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease and irritable bowel syndrome
Painful menstrual periods, decreased fertility, and erection problems
Worsening symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Increased skin problems, such as acne or psoriasis