Daily HealthBeat Tip

Stressed out

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ray Sass with HHS HealthBeat.

If you’re stressed out, you may have more to lose than peace of mind.

Researchers examining German Health Survey data found panic and fearful anxiety disorders may cause physical health problems. The physical problems included allergies, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, arthritis, and migraines.

Dr. Jitender Sareen of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada:

"Having an anxiety disorder with a physical health problem led to poorer physical functioning and greater levels of disability." (Seven seconds)

Think being sick caused the anxiety? Sareen says no:

"The vast majority of individuals had the anxiety disorder predate the physical health condition." (Six seconds)

He says books and Web sites can provide some anxiety-reducing tips, and working out can help, too.

The study in Archives of Internal Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ray Sass.

Last revised: December 26, 2006

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