What Are the Physical Symptoms Caused by Stress?

Stress is a mental state that can lead to physical symptoms. Photo Credit leichte kopfschmerzen image by Patrizier-Design from Fotolia.com

Stress is a mental state where you feel like you are taking on more than you can handle. It can be caused by situations in your family, at work or in the environment. Although stress is a mental or psychological situation, it can have physical symptoms that you should take seriously. According to the American Psychological Association, stress is linked to the six leading causes of death in the United States. Although everyone experiences stress in different ways, there are some common physical symptoms of stress.

Change in Appetite

Studies show that stress hormones can lead to cravings for sweets. Photo Credit donuts image by Silvia Bogdanski from Fotolia.com

Overeating can signal stress. This may even be a physiological response to cortisol, the "stress hormone." Researchers at the University of San Francisco found that women who released high levels of cortisol when stressed consumed more calories--and ate more sweets--than women who released lower levels of the hormone. Other people may react to stress by losing their appetites.

Back and Neck Pain

Pain in your neck, shoulders and back may be caused by stress. Photo Credit spine x-ray image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com

Emotions may play a major role in causing physical disorders, particularly neck, shoulder and back pain. According to John Sarno, M.D., back and neck pain is often associated with condition of mild oxygen deprivation, brought about when the brain alters the blood flow to the affected area. Addressing stress in your life could help relieve this pain.

Clammy Hands

Your hands may become clammy when you are nervous or tense Photo Credit hands in hands against sky, friendship concept image by JoLin from Fotolia.com

Clammy hands are a common physical reaction to stress and nervousness. This is caused by changes in blood flow to the extremities.

Headaches

Headaches are often related to stress. If you suffer from migraines, stress can trigger an attack. Most tension headaches will go away with relaxation, time and over-the-counter pain medication.

Jaw Clenching and/or Grinding Teeth

Grinding your teeth at night can cause pain in your jaw, neck and ears. Photo Credit Teeth and Mouth image by Sujit Mahapatra from Fotolia.com

If you often wake up with a sore jaw, neck or ears, it may be due to a condition called sleep bruxism, or nocturnal teeth grinding. A study reported in the January 2001 medical journal Chest reported that a stressful life is a risk factor for sleep bruxism. Doing yoga before you go to sleep can help you release tension in all parts of your body.

Sleeping Problems

Too many sleepless nights can have a negative effect on your quality of life. Photo Credit sleep image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com

According to the National Sleep Foundation, half of all people who have experienced insomnia blame the problem on stress and worry. If you are having difficulty sleeping, do some breathing exercises before bed, and establish a consistent, soothing nighttime routine. Sleep is a critical component of good health.

Stomachaches

For many people, anxiety and stress present as stomach pain. If you are having persistent stomachaches, they may be a reaction to a stressful situation in your life. Sudden abdominal pain or pain that does not subside for days is cause for concern, and you should consult a physician if you have these symptoms.

www.livestrong.com