Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 18 UCW APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2023 Stress poses a significant public health problem. ough work is often cited as a primary cause of stress, in 2022, socioeconomic issues contributed to a spike in stress levels, which serves as proof that there's no shortage of potential stressors. According to the Stress in America Survey 2022 from the American Psychological Association, 81% of respondents indicated they were stressed out due to issues affecting the supply chain. Inflation proved even more troubling, as 87% of participants in the survey indicated they were stressed out by the rising cost in living. at's especially noteworthy, as it marked a nearly 30% increase from the year prior. Stress is more than an inconvenience. ough the APA notes the human body is well-equipped to handle stress in small doses, chronic stress poses an entirely different problem, affecting various parts of the body. Musculoskeletal system e APA reports that muscle tension is almost a reflex reaction to stress. However, muscle tension for long periods of time can trigger a host of problems, including tension-type headache and migraine headaches, which are each associated with chronic muscle tension in the shoulders, neck and head. e APA notes that work-related stress in particu- lar has been linked to musculoskeletal pain in the lower back and upper extremities. Respiratory system Stress can present problems affecting the respiratory system as well. Shortness of breath and rapid breathing can occur when a person is feeling stress. ough the APA acknowledges this is often not a problem for people without respiratory disease, the group notes it can exacerbate breathing problems for people with preexisting respiratory condi- tions, including asthma and COPD. Cardiovascular system Chronic stress can contribute to long-term problems affecting the heart and blood ves- sels, which the APA notes are the two ele- ments of the cardiovascular system that work together to provide nourishment and oxygen to the body's organs. Chronic stress has many hallmarks, includ- ing a consistent and ongoing spike in heart rate. As a result, long-term ongoing stress increases a person's risk for an assortment of cardiovascular problems, including hyper- tension, heart attack and stroke. Gastrointestinal system e APA notes that hundreds of millions of neu- rons in the gut are in constant communication with the brain. is is why feelings of nervousness or anxiety often produce the sensation of butterflies in the stomach. When a person is dealing with chronic stress, that can affect communication between the gut and brain, potentially leading to pain, bloating and other discomfort in the gut. Stress is a public health problem that affects peo- ple from all walks of life. Individuals feeling excess levels of stress are urged to speak to their physicians and visit apa.org for more information. e American Psychological Association notes the human body is well- equipped to handle stress in small doses, but chronic stress poses an entirely different problem. HEALTH Chronic stress can affect your overall health a STAFF REPORT No. 1, Most Diverse University in North Carolina * methodist.edu • 910.630.7000 5400 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311 *Niche National Rankings and Reviews 80+ AREAS OF STUDY MU offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. 20 NCAA INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS MU students have won nearly 80 team and individual national championships. 100+ CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS MU has students from across the U.S. and more than 50 countries. ONLINE FORT BRAGG & AT MU offers flexible schedules perfect for working adults, active military, veterans, and their families. 97% RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID MU offers more than $25 million in scholarships every year. 1 OF 10 Must-Watch Universities in North America (Higher Ed Digest) Ad_Up & Coming Weekly_April 10 & 25.indd 1 Ad_Up & Coming Weekly_April 10 & 25.indd 1 4/11/23 4:32 PM 4/11/23 4:32 PM