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Stress is a common occurrence in everyday life. It can be a positive motivator at times and help you take on daily challenges. However, times get tough, relationships get rocky, and your work environment may seem unbearable sometimes. The feeling of stress often ensues, and this is not good for your mind or body. Have you ever thought about the impact that stress can have on your kidneys specifically? You may be surprised knowing the kind of damage that stress can do to your kidneys. If you are concerned about your kidney health, visit AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst for more information and resources.
How Does Stress Affect Your Kidneys?
When you are facing intense stress for an extended period, your body can develop physical reactions. It’s important to address the physical reactions to prevent them from breaking down your health. Some of the changes that occur when you are stressed include elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and an increase in the fats and sugar in your blood. These changes put you at an increased risk for chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Chronic conditions and poor maintenance can increase the risk of developing kidney disease. That’s why it’s necessary to control stress and your body’s reaction to the stress. The development of any problems with blood circulation and your blood vessels will affect your kidneys, which are responsible for filtering blood. Someone already suffering from kidney disease cannot afford to have elevated stress in their life because it could make a bad situation worse.
How Can Stress Impact the Rest of Your Health?
Stress can do more than just impact your kidneys. It can affect your overall health, having both emotional and physical consequences. Physical symptoms of stress may include headaches, an upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain, and sleep disruptions. Without relief from your stress, stress-related tension builds in your body, which causes the physical symptoms.
If you suffer from a chronic disease like hypertension, you may experience worsening symptoms. Stress can also have an emotional toll on you and cause you to develop feelings of anxiety, fear, sadness, frustration, and even anger. These feelings can lead to certain behavioral changes which could interfere with how you interact with the people around you and perform your work daily.
What Can I do to Manage My Stress?
It can be quite tough to get rid of stress, but you have to find the willpower and be committed to reclaiming your usual self. How can you manage stress and control your physical response to it? Consider these simple tips for reducing your stress:
- Realize that you have a problem with stress and identify the cause of the stress
- Eat a balanced diet that’s rich in nutrients that the body needs.
- Adopt relaxation exercises, like yoga and meditation
- Assess your lifestyle and ensure that you make time for yourself
- Start exercising
- Talk to a healthcare professional
- Rally your support team, whether family or friends or a combination of the two.
- Establish attainable goals and realistic expectations
- Get adequate sleep
- Maintain a positive attitude and outlook
- Limit drinking and smoking
- Practice mindfulness being aware of where you are and the things you are doing
- Take a vacation
Stress can have serious consequences on your overall health and affect organs in the body, like your kidneys. It’s crucial to manage your stress and the changes it may cause physically. Make time for yourself, meditate and relax, and if necessary, get professional help.
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