A person experiences stress when faced with too many tasks than usual. Although the mind and body has the natural ability to adapt to its environment, some things can be too much for the person to bear. Thus, stress occurs. During stress, the body acts as if it is in danger. It releases hormones that make the heart beat faster, make breathing faster and produce abnormal amounts of energy.

A study investigating the effects of stress to people's normal functions show that most individuals experiencing stress perform better at certain tasks. A person faced with a deadline, for example, will work faster and more efficiently than other instances wherein time is not an issue. Despite this, stress poses a great health risk for many people. The bad effects of too much exposure to stress include sleeping problems, back pain, digestive disorders and headaches. While stress can be normal and it may even be useful for some people, there are others who break down at the earliest sign of a stressor.

Stress also weakens the immune system. The hormones released during incidents of stress leaves residues that results to damage on a cellular level. Apparently, stress is more than just the dark circles around one's eyes due to the lack of sleep. It's the menstrual cramps, recurring headaches, bad dreams, gum disorders, breakouts, food cravings and bellyaches that are often left ignored. Mismanaged stress can lead to more serious health problems. People often mistake the physiological signs of stress as a symptom of another health condition. But by immediately identifying the correct symptoms, stress can be properly and effectively managed and treated. And if you have built a habit of taking pain medications to relieve weekend headaches, you might as well look at the root-cause of the discomfort instead of just relying on over-the-counter relief.

• Headaches Especially On Weekends

  The most stressful days in a working person's life is during the workdays when he is simultaneously bombarded with different stressors that can leave him tired and wanting for rest at the end of each day. But when you think you can finally have two days of rest during the weekends, it's when the headaches begin that leaves you restless and on the run for pain medications. A sudden fall in stress levels can lead to headaches.

  For five days, the brain has grown accustomed to the high work demands. But when the work load is dramatically reduced, migraines are triggered. One of the best ways to fight this is by managing stress every day. Having a stress management plan every incident will help in leveling down stress as it happens. Performing certain tasks during the weekends to give the mind something to work with instead of totally depriving it with work will also help in keeping the mind steady and headaches at bay.

• Really Bad Menstrual Cramps

  Severe menstrual cramps are a serious problem for most women. According to a study conducted by Harvard researchers, women with the highest levels of stress are two times most likely to suffer from bad menstrual cramps. The researchers say that the hormonal imbalance caused by too much stress triggers the cramps and can actually make them a lot worse than usual. They say regular exercise like going to the gym in most days of the week can reduce not only stress levels but also the severity of the cramps by decreasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

• Unpleasant Dreams

  Frequently getting nightmares? It can be the horror movies or it is most probably due to stress. Hormonal imbalance in the brain can result to disruptions in normal brain activities. You may not feel it while you are awake but you'll notice it in your sleep. The mind is subjected to different levels of sleep. They are classified as REM and non-REM sleep. Non-REM is a deeper level of sleep than REM where the mind is at a higher level of rest. Getting more non-REM results to a better mood in the morning. But getting to this stage may take some time. Stress can get in the way by disrupting sleep and producing bad dreams. People with high levels of stress have a harder time sleeping. And even when they do, the quality of their sleep may not be enough to make them fully recharged for the day. Good stress management and avoiding alcohol and caffeinated drinks before bedtime will help overcome this.

• Bleeding Gums

  A study based in Brazil analyzing 14 different previous studies show that people with high levels of stress are at a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can impair the immune system when produced at abnormal levels. Maintaining a good oral health may need more than just keeping your mouth clean and frequently visiting the dentist. Getting quality sleep and exercising regularly can help in lowering stress and in keeping the immune system in pristine condition.

• Skin Breakouts like Acne

  Breakouts are primarily caused by the accumulation of dirt and bacteria in the pores. But this wouldn't be if the sebaceous glands were not producing excessive amounts of oil. Hormonal imbalance caused by stress triggers the hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands. In addition, stress can increase the release of the inflammatory compounds that also result to breakouts.

• Sudden Love for Sweets

  The body will need more energy to overcome stress. The brain sends messages that translate into cravings for sweets like chocolate. Although it is true that eating sweets can make you feel happier, the extra inches on your thighs and waist won’t. When stricken with a craving for sweets, it's better to grab the healthier options like fruits. Grapes, for example, can quickly satisfy your sweet cravings without bringing too much glucose and calories in your system.

• Itchy Skin

  A study published in the November 2008 issue of the American Journal of Pathology show that stress can result to the production of inflammatory enzymes that result to chronic itching. If you are frequently experiencing itch for no apparent reason, it is recommended that you find ways to manage stress. Researchers from Japan also suggest that stress can trigger existing skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

• Stomachaches

  Severe stress can often lead to an upset stomach. A study consisting of more than 1900 male and female participants found that high levels of stress can increase people's likelihood of getting stomachaches. Although the researchers are yet to determine the connection, they think that it may be because the brain and intestines share the same nerve pathways in reaction to stress.

Sources
online.prevention.com
webmd.com
healthmad.com