A majority of the people around the world feel stressed over issues both small and large. The reasons for stress may vary, but the aftermath is undeniably devastating. So what actually is stress? It is nothing but the way a human body reacts under threatening or unexpected situations. One can also say that stress is a warning signal that makes the mind to react according to the situation at hand. Being stressed for a long period of time is hazardous to health and preventive measures must be taken to rectify the issue. Before knowing how to control stress, one must be aware of the factors that trigger it. Knowing your stress triggers can help a lot in curing problems related to stress. Given below are a few of the stress triggers. 1. Fear and uncertainty 2. Social issues 3. Unforeseeable events 4. Life changes 5. Environmental changes These above-mentioned factors affect people both physically and mentally. Further, these can lead to various health issues including emotional imbalance, poor concentration, migraine, stomach disorders, and more. Stress - The Trigger of all Human Diseases In general, stress can be classified into two types – acute and chronic. Acute stress, also known as the short-term stress is one of the common types experienced by many people. In most of the cases, acute stress does not cause harm as it is temporary. A few of the examples include attending a job interview, meeting a deadline, witnessing an accident or a life altering event, etc. These situations are temporary and the effects will not last for more than a month or so. Chronic stress on the other hand is permanent and causes more damage than acute stress. It causes severe damage to the body and leads to various health ailments such as insomnia, heart problems, headaches, etc. Some reasons for chronic stress include loss of a loved one, financial problems, broken relationship, and so on. By taking the necessary steps, one can prevent stress and lead a healthy and happy life. One needs to be aware of the major health problems caused by stress. Some of the diseases related to stress include 1. Asthma 2. Heart problems 3. Overweight 4. Migraine 5. Depression 6. Premature death 7. Alzheimer’s disease 8. Insomnia 9. High blood pressure 10. Stomach ulcers Women's health facing greater risk from stress Men and women deal with stress differently. Studies show that more than men, women are affected by stress. Research shows that over the past few years the stress levels in women are increasing and many fall ill frequently due diseases accompanied with stress. This is an alarming issue that needs to be addressed. Most women ignore the early symptoms of stress that lead to further health problems. Some of the common symptoms relating to stress include • Stomach bloating • Anxiety • Food craving • Insomnia • Loss of concentration • Alcohol consumption • Frequent headaches • Moodiness • Depression Even though these symptoms may relate to other diseases, it is mandatory to keep a check of the changes. Stress eating is another common thing found in women. It may seem relaxing at first but has many adverse effects that will affect your physical fitness. Stress gravely affects women's heart and body Both men and women undergo stress at some point in their life. Stress affects both the genders in an entirely different way. Women are prone to hormonal changes that make them an easy target for stress related changes. How does stress effects a women's mind and body? Stress affects women in many different ways of which a few are explained below. • Menstrual cycle problems: Irregular menstruation, stomach cramps and PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) are some of the common problems faced by women with chronic and acute stress. If untreated, it may lead to issues relating to delayed pregnancy and in some cases infertility. Studies show that women who are stressed are less likely to get conceived than those with lower stress levels. • Obesity: There is always a direct relationship between weight gain and stress. Those who are stressed tend to isolate themselves from others and some may start eating a lot to bring down the stress level. When a woman is stressed, the hormone cortisol increases, which leads to food cravings thereby leading to weight gain. • Heart problems: Women with higher stress levels tend to have high blood pressure, which leads to various heart problems. If proper steps are not taken on time, it may lead to severe problems that include heart attacks, cholesterol build up, stroke, and many other cardiovascular issues. Women with a history of heart problems are more vulnerable and are likely to get affected quickly by heart diseases. • Mood swings: Another common problem that comes along with stress is mood swing. This may include irritation, anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. Some women develop itchy rashes and acne's as a result of mood swings caused by stress. Since stress has a negative impact on your mental health, it is of utmost relevance to take the necessary steps to prevent stress.