When to Go to the ER for Chronic Stress Treatment
Stress & Anxiety
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Apr 15, 2023
If the stress of day-to-day life begins to affect your ability to function, it may be time to seek chronic stress treatment from a medical professional. We all experience stress — commonly known as acute stress which, in small doses, can actually be healthy — but if stressful symptoms persist over a long period of time, it can be classified as chronic stress. People suffering from chronic stress could face health struggles in the future if their symptoms are ignored.
We want to shed some light on when chronic stress can become detrimental to your overall health and well-being and when to seek medical treatment.
What can chronic stress do to your body?
Before diving into the impact chronic stress can have on your body, it’s important to first understand what normal, healthy stress does to your body. In a nutshell, stress is our body’s natural response to feelings of pressure as a means of protection. Using adrenaline (energy hormone) and cortisol (stress hormone), our body kicks into fight or flight mode in order to help us solve problems or tackle certain challenges.
Signs and symptoms of stress include:
- Chest or stomach pain (Keep reading: How to get rid of chest pain)
- Jaw clenching and grinding
- Fatigue or low energy
- Frequent colds and infections (which are signs of a weakening immune system)
- Headaches
- Muscle tension and body aches
- Sweating
The symptoms posed above typically refer to the temporary symptoms of stress. If nothing is done to help manage these stress symptoms, it could be detrimental to your overall health over time.
Why is chronic stress dangerous?
Constant feelings of stress and burnout can cause our bodies to become overtaxed. Because stress and mental health are so interlinked, chronic stress can have dangerous effects on the mind as well, sprouting a variety of health issues.
If chronic stress is not treated and ignored, you could potentially face the following health and mental health issues and conditions:
- Increased symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Increased risk of cardiovascular issues (rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, etc.)
- Decreased desire to exercise or be active
- Increased drug and alcohol use
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Overeating or undereating
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Sexual dysfunction
- Dermatological issues including hair loss
When should I seek chronic stress treatment?
Here is the truth: people suffering from chronic stress often wave off their symptoms as feelings of stress appear normal to them. Because of this, it is very important to regularly check in with yourself to assess whether you are experiencing any of the items listed above. When those scenarios affect your everyday life, it is time to seek help.
The kind of help you may need will depend on the symptoms you’re experiencing. For example, if you seem to be struggling with your mental health, seeing a psychologist could help you to unpack your feelings and even point you in the direction of helpful medication. Alternatively, a nutritionist or fitness expert could assist you in getting your physical health back on track whereas a cardiologist can manage any signs of an unhealthy heart.
Your treatment plan will all depend on what you personally need to manage your stress symptoms, helping you to live a long and happy life.
How do you treat chronic stress naturally?
The good news is that a majority of treatment options for chronic stress are natural remedies. For some people, chronic stress treatment may be as simple as prioritizing a healthy diet, exercise, and quality sleep and maintaining boundaries to eliminate stressful situations.
Obviously, it is never as easy as it sounds, but chronic stress can be managed with any combination of medical and natural remedies. Ask yourself what route you think will be best for you in the long term. What benefits others may not benefit your particular situation or lifestyle.
Seeking chronic stress treatment? Complete Care cares.
Chronic stress treatment can look different for every person based on their unique needs, but managing stress in a healthy and effective way is attainable. If you find that you are in need of help with stressful symptoms, Complete Care is here to care for you.
Our emergency room facilities are open 24/7 and are staffed by teams of wonderful and qualified individuals who can assist you with any of your health needs. Whether you are searching for preventative care or existing chronic stress treatment, we are here to help you through it. We have ER locations throughout both Texas and Colorado Springs that provide quality care with low wait times.
This Stress Awareness Month, remember that you’re not alone. The medical staff at Complete Care is here to take complete care of you.
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