Estimates have revealed that over 43% of adults suffer adverse health effects due to stress. The figures are alarming especially in the present day when stress has become a part of daily existence. Although the human body is capable of dealing with stress, when stress continues without any relief it might lead to negative reactions or distress.

Your body is prone to internal and external stress. While internal stress is a result of various emotions which you might have experienced in the past, external stress could be a result of various triggers in your daily life. Both cause a number of physiological changes in your body which may vary. For example some individuals experience shooting headaches when stressed while others complain of severe back pain. However, these aches might be temporary. On the other hand, chronic stress might affect people who experience stressful situations on a daily basis.

Effects of Stress on Your Body

Extreme stress can cause indigestion, gas, diarrhea or constipation and chronic symptoms will increase your risk for ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. Women might experience longer or shorter menstrual cycles and painful periods. Most importantly, stress can lead to narrowing of arteries, rise in cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Hence, the next time you are faced with tight deadlines at work or feel caught in financial troubles remember that it can wreak havoc on your physical well-being. In reaction to the stress, our bodies release the hormone cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones could interfere with your immune system, heart and metabolism also. 

Want to beat stress? What can you do to deal with internal stress? Please visit the Atlanta Medical Institute and read tips on how to reduce stress.

If you think that by staying away from the sun, you are saving your skin, think again. Protecting your skin with hats and sunscreen might is a good idea after, but total lack of time in the sun can lead to vitamin D deficiency. It is the only vitamin produced by your body. However, to produce it, your body needs sufficient exposure to the sun. The amount of Vitamin D produced in your body depends on a number of factors including the time of the day, season, age, and amount of exposure to the sun. The vitamin is fat soluble and can be stored for days and months when you don't are not exposed to the sun. In its absence, and consequent deficiency, you could be at the risk of certain cancers and weakening of bones.

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

Experts recommend 800 to 1,000 IU daily for adults, which is quite hard to get unless you choose to consume pills. The government safe upper limit is 2,000 IU and recommends 200 to 600 IU per day. The government approved amount per day is the amount you need to avoid rickets. Since it plays such a key role in cell growth, bone health and the central nervous system, it is important that you include D in your list. And if you want to know how much of the vitamin is optimal for health, it helps to get tested to find your current range and upon consultation with a physician, take the right type and amount of Vitamin D. You need to monitor the status of the vitamin levels until it is an optimal range, or take as per the doctor's advice take vitamin rich foods, such as fish liver oils, sardines, and whole eggs.

If you are looking for a medical institute to help determine your Vitamin D levels and find doctors who are specialists in the area of physician-assisted weight loss, stress reduction, and anti aging who will use treatments which are proven to be safe, please visit Atlanta Medical Institute.