Symptoms Of Stress And Its Effect On Cancer

Symptoms of Stress: Deal With It Before It Gets Too Late

Although it may be quite difficult to measure or define stress, it is something we experience on a daily basis, and often, we overlook the symptoms of stress as if it’s nothing serious. Every individual has their own coping mechanism against a stressful event – some deal with their problem head-on; some just don’t give a damn and continue to live co-existent with stress. However, the problem with stress is that it can make a person gravely ill.

How dangerous can symptoms of stress be?

Over the years of study about stress, medical researchers continue to discover more evidences linking stress to multiple diseases like obesity, diabetes, asthma, depression, Alzheimer’s and heart diseases among many others. One of the most recent clinical findings is that stress can cause, if not exacerbate cancer, particularly breast and prostate cancer.

What happens when we are under stress is that our adrenal gland releases more cortisol – a steroid hormone, also known as stress hormone – right into our body system during the “fight-or-flight” response to stress. Cortisol is an important hormone as it maintains our body’s homeostasis and has several other vital regulatory functions, including:

• Immune responses,
• Reducing inflammation,
• Maintaining blood sugar levels,
• Activating the central nervous system,
• Metabolising fat, carbohydrate and protein to maintain glucose levels, and
• Toning and contracting heart and blood vessels.

The fight-or-flight response is the body’s natural and immediate reaction to perceived and real threat. At this juncture, hormones like adrenalin and cortisol are released, jolting blood flow to our major muscles, slowing digestion, speeding heart rate, and altering a range of other autonomic nervous functions, resulting in a surge of strength and energy or physiological arousal. Once the perceived threat is gone, our body system returns to its normal function through the relaxation response. However with prolonged circulation of cortisol in the system, the symptoms of stress begin to manifest.

Symptoms of Stress and Cancer

Whatever your stress is caused by – a highly paid job, a difficult partner – remember you are paying a high price for it.

Dr. Patrick Kingsley, a retired medical doctor in the UK said, “I don’t remember ever meeting a patient with cancer who had not suffered from some degree of stress a time before the cancer declared itself. Often, it has been an illness in a loved one”.

The effect of stress is so important. According to Dr. Fryda, a German doctor, stress wears out our adrenal systems, affecting our immune systems. With the obvious symptoms of stress present, it is sometimes puzzling how some people are not able to deal with stress.

In addition, individuals experiencing symptoms of stress often don’t look after themselves. They may indulge in addictive compensating habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol. They eat whatever is available and convenient, which is often junk food. So, their immune system is even more affected. Is there any surprise that with today’s stressful lifestyle, cancer, which has probably been growing slowly for the past 5 or 10 years, suddenly increases its activity and declares itself?

Symptoms of Stress

Whether you are a cancer patient or not, knowing symptoms of stress brings total awareness of the fact that you are effectively under stress, enabling you to address the root cause of your stress. Remember that chronic stress is dangerous and you don’t want to get seriously ill. Symptoms of stress are manifested in 4 different areas of our lives – physical, behaviour, emotion, and cognitive.

Physical Symptoms of Stress:

• Lethargy
• Headaches
• Digestive problems, including nausea, upset stomach, and constipation
• Muscle pain and tension
• Chest pain
• Sleep disturbances or insomnia
• Teeth grinding
• Jaw clenching
• Dry mouth and problem swallowing
• Recurrent colds and infections
• Reduced sexual drive or ability
• Buzzing in the ear
• Cold and sweaty hands and feet

Behavioural Symptoms of Stress:

• Changes in appetite
• Avoiding responsibilities
• Exhibiting nervous behaviours like pacing, fidgeting, and nail biting
• Increased use of drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes
• Pessimism

Emotional Symptoms of Stress:

• Getting easily frustrated and agitated
• Becoming moody
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Thinking too much
• Exhibiting low self-esteem, loneliness, worthlessness, and depression
• Avoiding people

Cognitive Symptoms of Stress:

•  Forgetfulness
• Constant worrying
• Becoming less attentive
• Racing thoughts
• Poor judgment.

How to Manage Symptoms of Stress

While your immediate response is to cure the symptoms of stress, dealing with the stressor itself is more sustainable. The goal in managing stress is to lower your cortisol levels by relaxing your body. If you can’t directly deal with the source of stress, you can at least manage the symptoms of stress for a time being. Physical symptoms that include pain and muscle tension can be relieved by pain medicine and massage. Enough sleep, healthy food and exercise also helps the body relax.

Fight Stress with Food

According to Dr. Patrick Kingsley, a retired medical doctor in the UK, people who are under stress should take care of themselves, eat well and take some extra vitamins and minerals. Stress can strip off essential nutrients, particularly B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium, which need to be replenished. There are, of course, other nutrients you should consider taking , such as Omega 3 which improves the immune system. Food in general can calm stress; however, there are a few that have natural calming properties, which can help fight off stress.

• Asparagus – this is rich in folate, which you need for keeping your cool. You can steam or broil your asparagus.
• Avocados – your stress-proof fruit. It’s a very good source of glutathione, lutein, B vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E and folate. Individuals experiencing symptoms of stress benefit a lot from this fruit.
• Blueberries – this has the highest levels of anthocyanin – an antioxidant that produces good health outcomes like sharper cognition. This also has vitamin C, which is vital in lowering cortisol.
• Cashew nuts – these are a good source of zinc – an important mineral that keeps some symptoms of stress like anxiety and depression at bay.
• Garlic – this has powerful antioxidants like allicin – a compound that can fend off cancer, heart diseases and cold. It can also boost the immune system.
• Oatmeal – a complex carbohydrate that produces serotonin – a chemical that makes you feel good.
• Oranges – you can get your daily dose of vitamin C from oranges.
• Oysters – also a good source of zinc.
• Walnuts – these have a vital omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic, as well as polyphenols that help prevent memory loss.

Physical Activities that Relieve the Symptoms of Stress

Some of the physical activities you can do to relieve the symptoms of stress include:

• Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, decompressing, massage therapy, and meditation,
• Yoga,
• Tai Chi.

We often overlook the symptoms of stress. In fact, we may be unconsciously living with chronic stress and are not aware of the damages it’s causing to our body. Being able to identify the symptoms of stress is vital in taking necessary measures to deal with the root of the problem or manage stress effectively.