Chronic stress can be caused by a number of different things.  It may be something simple, it may be extreme situations, or it may be just a number of different factors that pile up on top of each other.  We’re going to look at the ten most common causes of stress.

What Causes Stress?

1. Health problems like diabetes or heart disease can be extremely stressful.  Worrying about your health, and the fear that your condition might kill you, is extremely stressful.
2. Emotional problems like guilt, grief, low self-esteem, anger, and depression are all very stressful.
3. Relationship problems can cause extreme stress, especially if you feel you have no one to talk to about it.
4. Dangerous surroundings such as living in a high crime area or in a violent home are very stressful.
5. A job you’re unhappy with is a huge contributing factor to stress.
6. Poverty or other financial issues can cause extreme stress.
7. Extreme lifestyle changes such as marriage, divorce, pregnancy, leaving home, or switching jobs are stressful.
8. Chronic pain can cause mental stress in addition to the physical symptoms.
9. Feelings of hopelessness can cause extreme stress.
10. Discrimination because of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or other issues is also very stressful.

If you are in any of these situations you should seek out someone to talk to as soon as possible.  One important key to reducing stress it to catch it and treat it before it becomes such an extreme problem.  If you wait, it can be much harder to treat.

Chronic stress can cause many health problems, some of which may eventually be fatal.  Stress is said to be the cause of as many as 70% of doctor visits, whether directly or indirectly!

Stress can cause many effects such as:

Poor Immune Function - When the body is under stress, it has less energy to devote to the immune system.  This makes the body more susceptible to colds, infections, and other illnesses.

Cardiovascular Disease - Stress has been linked to problems like high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and even heart attack!

Muscular Pain - Stress can cause all kinds of aches and pains, including neck, shoulder, and back pain.  These symptoms are probably caused by excess muscle tension.

Intestinal Problems - Stress can cause acid reflux, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome.  People who already have these conditions may find them exacerbated by stress.

Reproductive Problems - Stress can cause fertility problems, erectile dysfunction, and painful or irregular menstruation.

Breathing Problems - People who have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may find that excess stress makes their symptoms much worse.

Skin Problems - People who are under stress may find that they have more acne breakouts, as well as problems with psoriasis or eczema.

These are just a few of the problems that can be caused by or worsed by stress.  If you believe you have problems that are caused by stress, I highly recommend that you seek help immediately.  Stress is not only bothersome, it can be deadly.