Symptoms of Stress - Are You Sure?

There are many different symptoms of stress. Many of us focus only on the mental symptoms or feelings of being "stressed-out". But there are also many symptoms that are physical as well. This can become confusing because without the help of a doctor, it's difficult to know if the physical symptoms you are experiencing are caused by stress or something more serious. For this reason, it's critical to always seek your doctor's advice, especially if you have any of the symptoms listed in this article.

Some of the most common symptoms of stress are:

Poor Sleep. If you have a lot on your mind, and a lot going on in your life, sleep may be hard to come by. Tossing and turning at night, or simply the inability to get good sleep can be a sign of stress.

Digestive Problems. There are many different types of digestive issues that can be caused by stress. Such as heartburn, diarrhea, and stomach aches.

Loss of appetite or Increased appetite. You should know yourself well enough to know if your normal eating patterns have changed. If you are feeling less or more hungry, or if you simply have been eating more or less often, this could be a symptom of stress.

Chest Pain. This symptom can be one of the more serious. There are many times when chest pain is caused by stress, however, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to rule out more serious conditions.

Decreased Immunity. If you've noticed that you have become more susceptible to colds and the flu than usual, this could be caused by your immune system being less able to fight off illness due to stress.

These are just a few of the many physical symptoms of stress. There are also many different mental symptoms. The key is to pay attention to your body and your emotions. Take notice when there are changes and see your doctor.

There is no reason to be afraid to discuss stress and it's symptoms with your health care professional. Your doctor will be able to tell you if your symptoms are stress related, and also give some great advice on learning to manage your stress as well as your symptoms.