Stress Health Channel

	Feature Article 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 versus anxiety (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
The following are common questions about stress and anxiety. Question: What is the difference between feeling stressed and having an anxiety disorder? Answer: Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, ner...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: 08/10/2009
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (2 Videos, 3 Images) 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.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 (3 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. See also: Stress in childhoodReviewer: 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)
Question: Can exercise help reduce a person's stress level? Answer: 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...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 (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Childhood stress can be caused by any situation that requires a person to adapt or change. 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 negativ...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 (16 Videos, 7 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 pr...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 (4 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Biofeedback is a technique that measures bodily functions in order to help control them.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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