Stress is a given. It’s ubiquitous. Many people in today's society have a great deal of stress in their lives, possibly more than ever before. Stress can come from many different sources, including your job, family, car, house, money, and health.
When it’s prolonged, it can cause a great deal of both emotional and physical symptoms. How do you know when your stress is "just stress" and when you should go see a doctor? Check out these five warning signs, and you can get a better idea of when your stress is more than "just stress."
Severe, Localized Headaches
Stress can often cause headaches, especially at your job where you may be sitting in front of a computer screen in a poorly lit office all day. That being said, consistent, localized headaches could be a sign that you need to visit the doctor.
Seek medical attention immediately if you have loss of vision of blurry vision in one or both eyes, trouble speaking, or loss of sensation on one half of your body. This could be a sign of a stroke.
The high blood pressure often associated with stress could increase your risk of stroke. This is a very serious medical condition and should be treated immediately.
Chest Pain
Many people will write off their chest pain as simple heart burn or a reaction to stress. Chest pain, however, should never be taken lightly. Seek medical attention if you are experiencing unusual chest pain, especially when accompanied by tingling or pain in the hands and arms.
Sudden and prominent chest pain indicates severe stress
Losing Consciousness
Being overworked and not receiving proper nutrition can lead to fainting. This is fairly common among those working with extreme deadlines where they may not be sleeping enough or eating properly. That being said, it is important to always be medically evaluated after losing consciousness. Your fainting episode could be caused by something more serious.
Abdominal Pain
Again, improper eating and stress can often cause stomach aches. Many people tend to overeat or eat foods that are not healthy when they are under stress.
If you are experiencing extreme abdominal pain, it is important to talk to your doctor and have it evaluated. An upper endoscopy may be necessary to see if your stress has caused you to develop an ulcer.
Severe Mood Swings
Stress may make you unhappy, but extreme levels of anxiety and sadness should be discussed with your doctor.
You may be confusing your usual amount of stress with depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Your fibromyalgia doctor can help you to determine if your stress is actually caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain that can be corrected or helped by medication. Also, counseling may be recommended to help you cope with your stress more effectively.
What's Your Say?
Stress is an unavoidable part of life. It is important, however, to always keep your health and well-being in mind, no matter how demanding your job, family, or economic situation may be. Don’t push it off. Get the help you need. It’s the most worthwhile investment you can make. And, by putting your health first and seeking medical attention when needed, you can help yourself to live a happier and healthier life. Let me know your thoughts on this.