Does anxiety really cause cancer in Hungarians?

Everyone has to deal with stress in their lives at one time or another. In fact, many people have to deal with stress on a daily basis. But having stress in your life and having an anxiety disorder are two totally different things. Anxiety disorders are characterized as persistent and excessive worry about one certain thing or worrying about many different things. Anxiety disorders affect approximately 264,000,000 people all over the world, which is about 4% of the population. One question that many people want to know is whether or not anxiety disorders contribute to the chances of getting cancer.

Is it Possible?

Although having cancer can cause anxiety, is it possible that anxiety causes cancer? According to many studies the answer to that is yes. However, it is not all black and white as some studies show that there is no evidence that links anxiety to cancer.

One study done in 2013 that was published in the journal of the Public Library of Science (PLOS) found that the overall cancer risk is elevated among individuals who have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Another study done on over 100,000 women in the UK in 2016 found that there is evidence that anxiety disorders increase your chances of breast cancer.

Experts Say Maybe

However, the cancer foundation and cancer.gov states that the evidence that stress and anxiety cause cancer is weak.

Although there are links between several psychological factors and an increased risk of getting cancer, the fact is that not all studies are getting the same results. But those who have cancer already and have anxiety disorders have a higher risk of dying from the disease or for the disease to spread. According to experts at Harvard, the increase in certain hormones and neurotransmitters as well as a rise in the amount of inflammation can aggravate cancer cells. This process speeds up the growth of cancer and slows down the ability for the body to heal itself.

The Physical Effects of Anxiety Disorders

Having an anxiety disorder means that your body is constantly producing an excessive amount of hormones and chemicals that your body does not really need to function normally. With this excess comes inflammation as well as an increase in heart rate, respirations, blood flow, muscle tension, and neurotransmitters that carry impulses to the brain. All of this excess can cause your body to be constantly on alert and this is counterproductive to good health. Your body need to relax to be able to heal itself and if your body is constantly on alert, it can never relax enough to heal. The increased heart rate and blood flow can also aggravate blood pressure and heart disorders that you did not even know you had.

Signs of Anxiety Disorder

All of this overstimulation can create the perfect breeding ground for infections, inflammation, and yes, even cancer cells to increase. Therefore, it is important that you treat your anxiety if you think you have an anxiety disorder. Some of the symptoms include:

• Increased aggravation or irritation

• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep

• Nightmares or flashbacks

• Isolating yourself

• Lack of concentration

• Inability to focus or make decisions

• Forgetfulness

• Weight loss or gain

• Increased or decreased appetite

• Chronic fatigue

• Lack of interest in pleasurable activities such as sex

• Rapid heartrate

• Increased breathing rate

• Heart palpitations

• Shaking or trembling

• Headache

• Muscle tension

• Dizziness or fainting

• Worrying about everything or one thing excessively

If you have any of these symptoms or have concerns that you may be suffering from any type of mental health disorder, talk to a professional at betterhelp.com today. You do not need an appointment and don’t even have to leave your house.

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.[/author_info] [/author]

Source: by Marie Miguel