Stress Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Generalized anxiety disorder Stress and anxiety Definition Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious. What is stressful to one person is not necessarily stressful to another. Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel. Alternative Names Anxiety; Feeling uptight; Stress; Tension; Jitters; Apprehension Considerations Stress is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good -- it can motivate you and help you be more productive. However, too much stress, or a strong response to stress, is harmful. It can set you up for general poor health as well as specific physical or psychological illnesses like infection, heart disease, or depression. Persistent and unrelenting stress often leads to anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like overeating and abuse of alcohol or drugs. Emotional states like grief or depression and health conditions like an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, or heart attack can also cause stress. Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms, including: Twitching or trembling Muscle tension, headaches Sweating Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing Abdominal pain (may be the only symptom of stress, especially in a child) Sometimes other symptoms accompany anxiety: Dizziness Rapid or irregular heart rate Rapid breathing Diarrhea or frequent need to urinate Fatigue Irritability, including loss of your temper Sleeping difficulties and nightmares Decreased concentration Sexual problems Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety. They include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia. Common Causes Certain drugs, both recreational and medicinal, can lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or withdrawal from the drug. Such drugs include: ADHD medications Alcohol Amphetamines Bronchodilators for asthma Caffeine Cocaine Cold remedies Decongestants Diet pills Nicotine Thyroid medications Tricyclic antidepressants A poor diet -- for example, low levels of vitamin B12 -- can also contribute to stress or anxiety. Performance anxiety is related to specific situations, like taking a test or making a presentation in public. Continue reading this article

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Stress vs. anxiety (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
The following are common questions about stress and anxiety.What is the difference between feeling stressed and having an anxiety disorder?Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, nervous, or even anxious. Reviewer: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/27/2007
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (1 Video, 1 Image) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. It can occur after you''ve seen or experienced a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury or death.Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) may occur soon after a major trauma, or ...Reviewer: Paul Ballas, DO, Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/20/2009
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Stress management (1 Video, 3 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension.Emotional stress usually occurs when people consider situations difficult or unable to manage. Different people consider different situations as stressful.Physical stress refers to a physical re...Reviewer: Christos Ballas, M.D., Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/06/2008
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Exercise and stress reduction (4 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Yes. Research has found that there are mental health benefits from exercise, including reduced stress and increased confidence for those who exercise regularly-- even 20 minutes a day. Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/22/2009
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Stress in childhood (1 Video) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
The situation often produces anxiety. Stress may be caused by positive changes, such as starting a new activity, but it is most commonly linked with negative changes such as illness or death in the family.Fear in children; Anxiety in children; Chi...Reviewer: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 05/08/2008
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Blood pressure (7 Videos, 3 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped, and the size and flexibility of the arteries.Blood pre...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 05/02/2009
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Biofeedback (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Biofeedback is a technique that measures bodily functions in order to help control them.Blood pressure Breathing Heart rate Muscle tension Skin temperature.By watching these measurements, you can learn how to alter these functions by relaxing or h...Reviewer: Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/07/2007
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