Signs of stress

Sometimes stress is inevitable in life, but chronic stress can harm your health. Experts have listed 10 stress signs that need attention.

Headache weekend. According to Todd Schweldt of the University of Washington (USA), sudden stress reduction can lead to migraine. It is not surprising that you have a headache after a stressful working week. But if this happens often, schedule meals and sleep in moderation.

Menstrual pain is worse than usual. Research by Harvard University (USA) shows that most stressed women suffer twice as much pain than non-stressed people. Experts detect stress that makes hormones become unstable. This increases women's pain 'in those days'.

Meet strange dreams. According to Dr. Rosalind Cartwright of Rush University (USA), dreams will be better when you get enough sleep. Thus, you will be in a better mood when you wake up. However, when you are stressed, you wake up more often, and so easily have strange or unpleasant dreams.

Bleeding gums. According to an analysis of experts from Campinas State University (Brazil), people with chronic stress are at risk of dental problems. That means that the cortisol hormone that causes stress in the body increases, weakens the immune system and facilitates bacteria to attack the gums.

Sweet cravings. When a person is stressed, he or she tends to like sweet foods. Research by the University of Pennsylvania (USA) shows that women eat more chocolate not because of the effects of hormone progesterone during menstruation, but because of stress. Be careful if you have diabetes or do not want to have it.

More severe allergies. In an experiment conducted in 2008, a team of Ohio State University (USA) found that people with allergies had more severe symptoms when stressed. 'Stress hormones stimulate the production of IgE, a blood protein that activates allergic reactions,' said Dr. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, lead researcher.

Stomachache. Stress can cause stomach pain, along with headaches, back pain and insomnia. Research by the University of Missouri-St. Louis (USA) shows that the most stressed people are 3 times more likely to have abdominal pain than those without stress. According to the researchers, it is possible that the intestine and brain share the same neurotransmitters. When the brain responds to stress, the gut also catches the same signal.