What are the signs that stress has become severe enough to require hospitalization. How can chronic stress impact your physical and mental health. What treatments and self-care practices can help manage extreme stress.

The Reality of Stress-Induced Hospitalizations

Stress is often viewed as a normal part of life, but can it actually become severe enough to warrant a hospital stay? The short answer is yes. While not common, there are instances where stress can manifest in such intense physical and psychological symptoms that medical intervention becomes necessary.

Kathleen Kenehan’s story provides a poignant example of how cumulative stress can take a serious toll on one’s health. After enduring a series of major life events – including divorce, the loss of both parents, and sending a child off to college – all while single-parenting five children and running a business, Kenehan found herself in the emergency room with worrying cardiac symptoms.

When Does Stress Become a Medical Emergency?

Stress can become a medical emergency when it leads to:

• Severe chest pain or pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Intense anxiety or panic attacks
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Extreme physical symptoms like severe headaches or uncontrollable shaking

In Kenehan’s case, her stress manifested as chest pain and other cardiac symptoms, which, given her family history of heart disease, warranted immediate medical attention.

The Physiological Impact of Chronic Stress

Chronic stress can have far-reaching effects on the body, potentially impacting nearly every system. Understanding these effects can help individuals recognize when their stress levels have become dangerously high.

How Does Stress Affect the Cardiovascular System?

Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can:

1. Increase heart rate
2. Elevate blood pressure
3. Cause inflammation in blood vessels
4. Lead to irregular heart rhythms

Over time, these effects can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Can Stress Impact Digestive Health?

Indeed, stress can significantly affect the digestive system. It may lead to:

• Increased acid production in the stomach
• Exacerbation of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Changes in appetite
• Nausea or digestive discomfort

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Severe Stress

Identifying the signs of severe stress is crucial for seeking timely intervention. While everyone experiences stress differently, there are common red flags to watch for.

What Are the Physical Symptoms of Extreme Stress?

Physical manifestations of severe stress can include:

• Persistent headaches or migraines
• Chronic fatigue
• Muscle tension and pain
• Sleep disturbances
• Changes in libido
• Weakened immune system, leading to frequent illnesses

How Does Severe Stress Affect Mental Health?

The psychological impact of severe stress can be profound, potentially causing:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Mood swings
• Feelings of overwhelm or inability to cope

The Importance of Self-Care in Stress Management

Kenehan’s story highlights the critical role of self-care in managing and recovering from severe stress. Her doctor’s prescription of “much-needed and ongoing self-care” underscores the medical community’s recognition of its importance.

Why Is Self-Care Crucial for Stress Relief?

Self-care is essential for stress relief because it:

• Provides necessary time for physical and mental recuperation
• Helps maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Promotes better overall health and well-being
• Can prevent stress from escalating to dangerous levels

What Are Effective Self-Care Practices for Stress Management?

Effective self-care practices can vary from person to person, but may include:

1. Regular exercise
2. Meditation or mindfulness practices
3. Engaging in hobbies or creative activities
4. Spending time in nature
5. Maintaining a healthy diet
6. Ensuring adequate sleep
7. Seeking social support

The Concept of a ‘Me-cation’ for Stress Relief

Kenehan’s experience introduces the concept of a ‘me-cation’ – a solo vacation focused entirely on self-care and rejuvenation. This approach to stress management can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with chronic stress or recovering from intense life events.

What Are the Benefits of a Solo Self-Care Retreat?

A solo self-care retreat or ‘me-cation’ can offer numerous benefits, including:

• Uninterrupted time for rest and reflection
• Opportunity to disconnect from daily stressors
• Freedom to focus solely on personal needs and desires
• Time to engage in health-promoting activities
• Space to gain new perspectives on life challenges

How Can One Plan an Effective ‘Me-cation’?

Planning an effective ‘me-cation’ involves:

1. Choosing a peaceful, preferably nature-rich location
2. Disconnecting from work and daily responsibilities
3. Planning activities that promote relaxation and self-discovery
4. Bringing materials for personal growth (e.g., self-help books)
5. Remaining open to new experiences and self-reflection

Long-Term Strategies for Stress Management

While a ‘me-cation’ can provide immediate relief and inspiration, managing stress effectively requires ongoing commitment to self-care and lifestyle changes.

How Can One Incorporate Stress Management into Daily Life?

Incorporating stress management into daily life can involve:

• Establishing a regular sleep schedule
• Practicing daily mindfulness or meditation
• Setting boundaries in work and personal life
• Regular exercise or physical activity
• Maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet
• Seeking professional help when needed (e.g., therapy or counseling)

What Role Does Social Support Play in Stress Management?

Social support is crucial in managing stress. It can:

1. Provide emotional comfort during difficult times
2. Offer practical help with daily responsibilities
3. Provide different perspectives on stressful situations
4. Encourage healthy coping mechanisms
5. Reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness

When to Seek Professional Help for Stress

While self-care practices can be highly effective, there are times when professional intervention becomes necessary. Recognizing these moments is crucial for preventing stress from escalating to dangerous levels.

What Are Signs That Professional Help Is Needed?

Signs that it’s time to seek professional help for stress include:

• Persistent feelings of hopelessness or despair
• Inability to perform daily tasks or meet responsibilities
• Turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms (e.g., substance abuse)
• Experiencing panic attacks or severe anxiety
• Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Physical symptoms that don’t improve with self-care

What Types of Professional Help Are Available for Stress Management?

Professional help for stress management can come in various forms:

1. Psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy)
2. Stress management coaching
3. Medication (for stress-related conditions like anxiety or depression)
4. Alternative therapies (e.g., acupuncture, biofeedback)
5. Support groups

Stress, while a normal part of life, can sometimes escalate to dangerous levels that require medical intervention. Kenehan’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing stress overload and taking proactive steps to manage it. By incorporating regular self-care practices, being attuned to our bodies’ warning signs, and seeking help when needed, we can better navigate life’s challenges and maintain our overall health and well-being.

Remember, investing in your mental and physical health through stress management isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Whether it’s through daily mindfulness practices, regular exercise, or occasional ‘me-cations’, finding ways to manage stress effectively can significantly improve quality of life and prevent stress-related health crises. As Kenehan’s story illustrates, sometimes the most powerful medicine is giving ourselves permission to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate.

Stress landed me in the hospital. The prescription was my first ‘me-cation’.

One Small Thing

After a devastating divorce and both parents dying within a year, I’ve learned that a vacation away from work and the kids is powerful medicine.

Kathleen Kenehan on a hike in the desert in Arizona.Courtesy Kathleen Kenehan

Nov. 15, 2018, 11:56 AM UTC

By Kathleen Kenehan

A recent divorce. The death of both parents in 3 months. A firstborn child heading off to her first year of college. A family pet dying.

I had dealt with all four of these life-altering situations over the past year and, coupled with me running a thriving business and single parenting five children, my stressful life had finally caught up with me. After dropping off my daughter Emily at college, my 47-year-old heart wasn’t feeling right. And, I don’t mean I felt heartbroken from missing her (which I did). I actually had some nagging chest pain and other symptoms that I kept putting off due to my hectic pace. With a family history of heart disease, I knew stress could be a factor in causing some valid cardiac concerns. After an unexpected ER visit and an overnight stay at the hospital to double check that running on emotional and physical “empty” hadn’t caused me actual lasting damage (which thankfully it didn’t), my trusted family doctor prescribed me something: some much-needed and ongoing self-care.

An offer I couldn’t refuse

Concerned about the compounding ramifications of my past few years of grief, a longtime client of mine presented a very generous offer. They booked a trip for me to get away from my busy agency and five kids over a long weekend. The condition? I needed to rest and recover for four days alone. The pragmatic side of me had avoided such luxuries of late because I have a second child beginning college next fall and self-care of this magnitude seemed frivolous to a working single mother. However, this kind gift and unusual opportunity was one that came at the most perfect time for me and I seized the moment. My kids were all in full support and some wonderful friends were more than happy to ensure my children were well cared for during my retreat.

I packed 12 self-help books (that I wanted to read but never could in my “real” life), several swimsuits, some work out attire and definitely no makeup or stilettos and began my mini self-discovery trip.

Upon landing in Scottsdale, Arizona, I headed to a place called Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain. I was immediately transfixed by the hot dry air, the bright blue skies, cacti and vivid florals in every direction. I immediately felt myself exhaling for probably the first time in three long years of loss. In reflecting back about that first day, I had some anxiety and trepidation about my ability to just completely turn my brain off. Could I possibly like being by myself? In my entire life, I had never traveled for pleasure or self-care alone. I always had a spouse or children tagging along so this was quite foreign to me. The first night I was alone, I got a bit panicky. I texted a close girlfriend and told her I wasn’t sure I was cut out for solo vacationing. Her advice? She asked me what I would have been doing anyway that night if I’d been back at home in Chicago. I answered: likely watching a show on Netflix or reading. So, she said, get over myself and do it there. And that’s just what I did. I embraced her candidness and took a bath and watched TV in the tub and smiled. Maybe this wasn’t half bad?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnJe7dKgaOl

Coming back to life

Over the next several days, I began to notice myself coming to life again in a way I hadn’t in a long, long time. I started just being very grateful to be in a quiet, beautiful place. I ate delicious healthy breakfasts each day. I embraced (and somewhat feared) hiking up a mountain with a guide who kept me from falling over the edge and well-hydrated in the 100-degree heat. I read four (yes four!) books during the trip. I tried an aerial yoga class that sounded fun and different to me (let’s just say P!NK does it better than I do!). I meditated and prayed. I became my own favorite companion. It was incredibly freeing and just what I needed after my losses and busy life.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOeYlXghA4

As I was flying home, I began to create a list on my iPhone (I’m still type A when relaxed) and began to make personal commitments to myself. I would get more rest, I would exercise more, I would eat healthier foods. So what was top of the list, you ask? I would invest in myself and always plan to take a me-cation each year. I found that after my inaugural trip, I was more relaxed, reflective and inspired which has helped me immensely.

A ‘me-cation’ with lasting effects

In fact, in the month or two since returning, I have found myself being so much more peaceful and balanced in work and life. I have also had a renewed energy and joy about me that others are noticing both in photos and when they see me out and about. Considering a solo trip? I’d like to offer the following tips to anyone who has experienced loss, deals with anxiety or just has a stressful life like me:

• Don’t feel guilty. Of course my first reaction to the suggestion of my trip to Arizona was to say a firm no due to my responsibilities to my children and my employees. Guess what? Everyone was not only happy to help but admitted I needed to go. That gave me the self-permission to accept a blessing and just go enjoy myself.
• Document the journey. I promised myself I wouldn’t look at email or do any calls during my “me-cation” and I kept that promise. However, I did take tons of shots of beauty that I saw all around me. I have found myself looking back on those photos often since and it centers me and reminds me of why it was such a good idea to go in the first place. Document your trip in some way by journaling or photography so you can reflect later.
• Make a commitment to do it again. It had never occurred to me that I needed this trip so badly until I went. Now, I will always commit to better self-care and self-discovery to help me continue to evolve and become a “better version of me,” as one dear friend of mine likes to say. I also think it’s really good role modeling for my children to see the importance of self-care and nurturing for their future, likely stressful, lives.

I’ve continued to be busier than ever at work and my every-minute-of-the-day job as a mom of five wonderful kids. My kids weren’t sorry I went. My team felt thankful that I was more focused and happier than I was before I left. Ultimately, I feel more connected to myself and God than ever before because I took time to feed my mind, body and soul. Don’t wait until you are in the hospital to recognize you need to love yourself first before you can love others. Travel agents are standing by.

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• This daily gratitude routine can train your brain to be happier

Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Kathleen Kenehan

Kathleen Kenehan Henson is a contributor to NBC News BETTER and the founder and CEO of Agency H5, an award-winning public relations and integrated marketing firm based in Chicago. 

When Stress Becomes a Medical Concern

November 22, 2016

— Health & Safety Tips

Did you know that to a certain extent, stress is actually helpful to every single one of us?

Stress is a normal part of life. Simply put, stress is our body’s reaction to a challenge or a demand. It serves as a signal for us to react and respond appropriately, and make adjustments in relation to our environment.

Stress, in short bursts, can help one to meet a deadline, or avoid danger. However, when stress occurs over a prolonged period of time, it can be harmful.

Excessive stress that is constant and persistent for long periods is called chronic stress. When left untreated, it may cause a wide range of debilitating psychological and physical effects.

Unlike acute stress (which is stress in short bursts), chronic stress is more difficult to manage with typical stress management techniques.

Stress becomes a medical concern if it is already beginning to affect a person’s function and way of life. If stress renders one incapable of working or functioning at home because of the recurrence of physical symptoms even in the absence of the stressor, it is best to immediately seek medical help from professionals. Examples of these physical symptoms include feelings of dizziness, rapid breathing, or racing heartbeat.

Stress also becomes a medical concern if it is beginning to contribute to the development or exacerbation of already existing illnesses such as heart diseases and depression. It likewise becomes a medical concern if it is starting to bring forth symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, edema, high blood pressure, and a very weak immune system. These are considered to be symptoms of an underlying serious health condition.

Other than physical illnesses, stress can also give rise to psychological illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and panic, which are all valid medical concerns. Especially if the depression, anxiety, or panic attack is accompanied by suicidal thoughts, it is automatically considered as a medical emergency.

If you’re looking for an emergency facility within the Corpus Christi area, consider Physicians Premier. Physicians Premier is your 24-hour emergency care center in Corpus Christi, TX. This Corpus Christi ER is able to cater to all kinds of emergencies, whether major or minor.

Physicians Premier ER has a state-wide presence. To know the specific locations of each Physicians Premier immediate care center, visit: https://mdpremier.com/locations/. For more information about Physicians Premier, you may also visit https://mdpremier.com/contact-us/.

Other Locations:

• Saratoga Emergency Room
• Staples Corpus Christi Emergency Room
• Ennis Joslin South Padre Island Emergency Room
• Portland Texas Emergency Room
• Calallen Texas Emergency Room

Saratoga Emergency Room

Fear and fear. How to cope. Neurologist’s advice

At any time, stress has always been in the life of every person. In moderation, their presence is even beneficial. But what if the stress in our lives goes off scale?

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What to do in such situations? There are effective ways to improve your condition. Here are some of them.

1. Mental hygiene .
Limit yourself, at least partially, from the flow of information, especially negative and unreliable. Minimize the time you spend in front of the TV screen, computer monitor, with gadgets. Try to communicate less with people who are fixed only on the negative, have a pessimistic attitude.

2. Increase physical activity .
Go in for sports, walk a lot. Choose the type of physical activity that you enjoy. Exercise regularly, preferably daily, for at least 20-30 minutes. Be sure to include aerobic exercise in the complex of exercises: brisk walking, running, squats, jumping, cycling, walking up the stairs. Neurotransmitters released during exercise have been shown to significantly reduce anxiety.

3. Drink enough water
Dehydration impairs brain function, increases anxiety. Drink regularly even before you feel thirsty. thirst indicates that the body is already in a state of dehydration.

4. Get enough sleep .
Lack of sleep negatively affects the brain: anxiety levels increase, irritability occurs, mental abilities and mood decrease, and depression can begin. In order to effectively deal with stress, you definitely need to get enough sleep.

Try to eat as varied as possible, choose more healthy products that have undergone minimal industrial processing. Increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your diet, preferably raw. Eat enough protein daily, as stress increases its consumption. Reduce the amount of sugar and “fast” carbohydrates, as well as coffee and strong tea. Eat plenty of dairy products. It is desirable to completely exclude alcohol intake.

6. Distract for any classes .
Take on any routine household chores: laundry, cleaning, putting things in order in the house. Do what you usually don’t have enough time for: sort out in the pantry, on the balcony, put things in order in the cabinets, get rid of the old, unnecessary. Listen to music, watch movies, do needlework, learn a foreign language.

7. Breathing exercises .
Learn the breathing exercises. There are a large number of them, and they are good at helping to relax in a state of severe stress. Elderly people, as well as people with diseases of the cardiovascular system, are advised to consult their doctor before starting breathing exercises.
a) Belly breathing. Better lying down, you can sit. Put one hand on the upper abdomen to make it easier to follow the movements of the abdominal wall. As you inhale, inflate your belly as much as possible. As you exhale, draw your stomach in as much as possible. Take slow breaths in and out. Continue for 1-2 minutes, gradually increase the duration to 5-10 minutes.
b) Breathing to the count of 4-7-8. Slow breath in through the nose for a count of 4 (1-2-3-4). Hold your breath for a count of 7 (1-2-3-4-5-6-7). Exhale through your mouth for a count of 8 (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8). Repeat 4 times. Gradually, you can increase up to 8 times.

8. Support and help .
Support loved ones morally and do not refuse support yourself. Communicate more, share your feelings with others. Help those who are worse off than you. Do charity work. It can be not only material, financial assistance. It is enough to listen, give advice, reassure, share useful information. Helping others, we help ourselves even more, because. we begin to feel stronger.

9. Please yourself
During the day, find opportunities for activities that you really enjoy. Throw out emotions. If you want, get creative: draw, sing, play a musical instrument, write poetry or prose, embroider. Incorporate outdoor activities into your schedule whenever possible.

10. Daily stability .
Do your daily routine every day. Set up daily rituals and stick to them. This will add stability.

11. State “ here and now “.
Try to solve only pressing problems. In times of uncertainty, live in the present moment, “here and now.” Try to notice any positive moments in your life, even the smallest ones. For example, a sunny day, a delicious breakfast, a good movie, a call from a friend, etc.; the list is endless.

There is good news! Stress, paradoxically, plays a positive role in our lives. After solving the problem, we become stronger, more experienced, more resilient, self-confidence increases. Stress motivates us to build relationships with others, focus on solving problems, and achieve our goals.

However, there are situations when a person cannot cope with stress on his own.

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A qualified neurologist will help you get rid of the unpleasant effects of stress, both with the help of well-chosen drug treatment, and with the help of non-drug methods. A consultation with a specialist from our clinic will help you feel the joy of life again and gain a sense of inner harmony.

Neurologist Ignatova Evgenia Anatolyevna, medical clinic “Harmony”, Rostov-on-Don.

Doctor Zhito told whether a strong fright can provoke a heart attack

• Health

If a person with a heart attack is not treated in time, everything can end extremely tragically. Is it true that banal fear can be the culprit of a fatal disease? The doctor explains.

May 2, 20232

Source:

iStockphoto

There is not much time to save a person with a heart attack. Despite all the achievements of modern medicine, many patients with a heart attack die in the first 7 days of the disease. The fact is that people often ignore the alarm bells that appear before the development of an acute condition. Someone just doesn’t want to bother doctors “for nothing” once again, someone is sure that everything is in order with him, and there are those who are just scared.

Sometimes we think that the reason is too insignificant: can they really put me in the hospital because of such nonsense? It turns out they can, says Alexei Zhito.

“You scared me so much I nearly had a heart attack!” We use such expressions so often, sometimes not even suspecting how serious they are. As a cardiologist, of course, such statements cut my ear, but these are already my professional triggers,” says Alexey Zhito. a heart attack can really happen if a person is very scared!0003

Read also

“Patients who have various heart pathologies or other concomitant diseases are primarily at risk. When frightened, the heart rate increases, the pulse increases, and the heart needs more oxygen. If at this moment the blood vessels are clogged or the frightened person has another condition, such as anemia, then myocardial infarction is quite possible ,” Aleksey Zhito warns.

Factors that increase the risk of myocardial infarction

• Hormonal disorders and failures: menopause, diabetes mellitus.

• Misuse of certain medications.

• Bad habits.