Health problems that are linked to stress
Stress may contribute to or exacerbate health problems from A to Z (or at least to U). Among them:
- Allergic skin reactions
- anxiety
- arthritis
- constipation
- cough
- depression
- diabetes
- dizziness
- gum disease
- headaches
- heart problems, such as angina (chest pains), arrhythmias, heart attack, and palpitations (pounding heart)
- heartburn
- high blood pressure
- infectious diseases, such as colds or herpes
- insomnia and resulting fatigue
- irritable bowel syndrome
- menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes
- “morning sickness,” the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy
- nervousness
- pain of any sort, including backaches, headaches, abdominal pain, muscle pain, joint aches, postoperative pain, and chronic pain caused by many conditions
- Parkinson’s disease
- postoperative swelling
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- side effects of AIDS
- side effects of cancer and cancer treatments
- slow wound healing
- ulcers To the extent that stress worsens these ailments, the relaxation response (a state of profound rest) and other stress management methods can be healing.
Adapted from The Relaxation Revolution, Herbert Benson, M.D., and William Proctor, J.D. (Scribner, 2010)./ Content provided by Harvard Health Publications (
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