Stress and Chronic Diseases

Chronic stress robs you of radiant health. It is dangerous to your life and detrimental to your general well-being. It is now scientifically established that chronic stress is a health risk and a major contributor to several life-threatening diseases and events, such as heart diseases, stroke, high blood pressure, lung diseases, and cirrhosis of the liver, suicides, and accidents. In the United States, the pressure to succeed and live the American dream is a key factor behind the chronic stress experienced by many people in this century. The causes of chronic stress include financial difficulties resulting non-payment of bills, long-term economic hardship due to unemployment, relationship conflicts such as separation from a sexual partner, or divorce and major life changes such as the loss of a loved one. Social issues, especially arguments about personal, political, and religious beliefs can also lead to chronic stress. Living in the ghettos in large crime-ridden cities and unsafe neighborhoods where violence is the norm and most residents worry over their personal safety, combined with feelings of discrimination because of your race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation may also lead to chronic stress. Scientific evidence has shown that the pressure to succeed and live the good life as well as office politics, and the daily pressure and conflict form a job is the main cause of long-term stress for many people. The daily stress of long commute to and from work, personal conflicts at work with your boss and colleagues at work, and spousal abuse may lead to chronic stress if allowed to continue for a long period of time. It is now well-established that chronic stress is a health hazard and plays a significant role in the initiation, development, and progression of chronic diseases and disorders.