How Stress Can Affect Your Health

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it wreaks havoc on every part of your mind and body. Although that may sound daunting, the silver lining is that there’s a lot within your control. 

You can learn about how stress affects your health, identify your specific triggers, and take action to manage your stress levels. Stress management is so important that we include it in our wellness services here at Philadelphia Center for Anti-Aging.

Take a moment as Stephen Ficchi, DO shares more about stress, its effect on your health, and how wellness services can help.

The physical effects of stress

When you're stressed, your body goes into "fight-or-flight" mode, which triggers your body to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Even though this response is helpful in short bursts, chronic stress can lead to problems like:

Heart problems

Chronic stress can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks.

Weakened immune system

Prolonged stress suppresses your immune system, which makes you more vulnerable to illnesses such as colds, infections, and even chronic diseases. An infection is the last thing you need when you’re already stressed! 

Digestive problems

Mental stress can disrupt your digestion. That’s because your gut and brain are linked through your “gut-brain connection.” This also means that when you’re under heavy stress, you might experience nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. You may have referred to this feeling as a “nervous stomach.”

If you already have a digestive condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stress can intensify those symptoms and trigger flare-ups.

Weight gain

Elevated cortisol levels due to stress can increase your appetite, particularly for high-fat, sugary foods — all the comfort foods. Not only do you have cravings, but the stress also slows down your metabolism. This combination can quickly lead to weight gain.

To compound matters, the added weight gain can increase your risk of fatigue, hypertension, joint pain, and obesity-related cancer.

Increased risk of health conditions 

If left unmanaged, stress can contribute to the development of serious long-term health issues. For example, stress can increase your blood sugar levels, which raises your risk of type 2 diabetes.

The mental effects of stress

Stress doesn’t just affect your body—it also impacts your mental and emotional health. Some common psychological symptoms include:

• Anxious thoughts
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Brain fog
• Trouble with short-term memory

Long-term exposure to stress can lead to chronic mental health issues, including anxiety disorders, depression, and substance abuse.

Stress management strategies to try

Though you can’t avoid all stress, you can implement stress management strategies to help your mind and body cope.  Physical activity, for example, is a great way to reduce stress hormones and improve your mood — thanks to those endorphins! 

Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins supports your body in managing stress. Certain foods and herbs — called adaptogens — help your body adapt to stress and lower cortisol levels. 

Connecting with friends, family, or a therapist can provide emotional support and help you manage life's challenges.

How we can help

At the Philadelphia Center for Anti-Aging, we offer a range of wellness therapies designed to help you manage stress and improve your overall health, including:

Intravenous (IV) hydration

Dr. Ficchi uses IV hydration to deliver essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly into your bloodstream, so you can feel rejuvenated and energized. This treatment nourishes your body quickly and efficiently. 

You might also consider IV hydration if stress has left you with a depleted immune system and are feeling under the weather.

Vitamin injections

Vitamin injections, including fat-burning injections, can boost your metabolism, slow down the aging process, and improve your vitality. Fat-burning injections can help you lose stress-related weight gain, while vitamin B injections can help replenish your energy stores.

Hormone treatments

Hormone treatments like testosterone replacement therapy and peptide therapy can help address hormone imbalances that may contribute to feelings of fatigue, irritability, and stress. 

Our team at the Philadelphia Center for Anti-Aging will assess your needs based on your medical history to create a personalized treatment plan.

Don’t let stress get the best of you. Schedule your wellness consultation and find out what we can do for you.