What is the best stress medication ? 

The difference between stress and anxiety is not always clear. However, it is essential to know what these disorders consist of to treat them and prevent them from complicating your health. Dr. Eduardo Junco explains how to distinguish them and what you can do at all times.

Stress is defined as the mental situation created by the influence of external stimuli known as stressors, which, when presented, alter or modify the feeling of physical and mental well-being. This mood, if maintained indefinitely or increases progressively in intensity, can give rise to situations or states of anxiety in certain personalities.

Stress is a complicated adaptation system that helps us handle daily challenges.
Stress is common, especially in modern life, and can be useful in the proper quantity. It will be our ability to control these reactions that causes stress to affect us to a greater or lesser degree.

How does the body react to stress?

In the face of certain events or stimuli, we initiate the adaptation mechanisms by which both the autonomic nervous system and certain endocrine glands (the pituitary and the adrenal glands) produce secretions that help us respond adequately. This response is triggered by the autonomic or sympathetic nervous system, which stimulates the pituitary and adrenal glands and circulates increased amounts of cortisol and adrenaline in the bloodstream.

These hormones, secreted in stressful situations, have actions aimed at adaptation and survival in order to maintain integrity. They act on the brain by increasing the state of wakefulness and its oxygenation. In the blood, glucose levels increase and influence the heart and lungs by accelerating the pace and improving performance. They produce a peripheral vasoconstriction; to increase the oxygenation of the central organs, the pupils dilate, and there is an arrival of more blood and oxygen to the muscles.

Suppose we are unable to control and control thefor an extended period of time. In that case, consequences of this situation  our body and mind will become resentful, adding to the negative effects of stress on those who suffer from it.

Impact of stress on health

Stress can be an aggravating and triggering factor for many organic and physical changes, in addition to the changes it causes in the psychic sphere of the individual who suffers from it.

• Tendency to obsessive thoughts and depression.
• Feeling tired, having insomnia, and being irritable.
• Palpitations, loss of appetite and/or hyperphagia (snoring), increased sweating, and high blood pressure are all possible symptoms.
• Head, back, and neck pain.
• Reduced organic defenses, hair loss, and increased susceptibility to infectious and autoimmune diseases are all symptoms of a compromised organic defense system.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a psychological disorder that leads to an anxious mood, ranging from a feeling of psychomotor restlessness to a state of intense fear. Having anxiety sometimes in life is completely normal. But, when it gets so powerful and persistent that it distorts reality, restricts thinking, and affects normal activities, we must seek help and see a specialist for psychotherapy or medication treatment.

The presence of inner discomfort, irritability, unjustified fears, shocks, insomnia, and psychomotor agitation crises manifests anxiety. These psychic symptoms are frequently associated with organic disorders such as increased sweating, fine tremors in the extremities, palpitations, tachycardia, shortness of breath, precordial pain, blood pressure rise, digestive and intestinal symptoms, and extreme fatigue.

Anxiety has different levels of intensity, which result in different clinical symptoms, manifesting as progressive symptoms.

• Anxious character. Vulnerable and unstable personalities who have these characteristics throughout their lives
• I’m anxious. In a situation of insecurity, symptoms of restlessness and psychomotor agitation manifest.
• State of anxiety. At this stage, the patient feels tension, inner discomfort, illogical fear, hyperventilation, perspiration, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
• Crisis of anguish Maintained and uncontrolled anxiety can often lead to a state of anguish. This more serious situation is included in neuroses, so it requires treatment by a specialist in psychiatry.

Why does anxiety occur?

Personality, character, and temperament are the most transcendental factors in anxiety. The so-called constitutional and hereditary factors cause that there are individuals with a tendency to suffer it, and, therefore, they will have a greater propensity. On the contrary, others, such as the phlegmatic and calm, will rarely suffer from it.

Environmental factors also have a great influence on the appearance of this disorder. Competitive living, stress, the work environment, tight schedules, interpersonal relationships, and life in big cities are often triggers.

Other factors, such as lack of sleep, abuse of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or the use of substances and drugs, are elements that also tend to favor the appearance of anxiety.

How to combat stress and anxiety

Support from the family. Although it can be a source of anxiety at times, the support that a stable family can provide and the positive, protective, and safe environment it provides are very effective in reducing stress and treating the patient’s anxiety.

Positive attitude at work. Competitiveness and instability in the workplace, bad relationships with colleagues and bosses, and the stress of daily and routine work are triggers of stress and anxiety. A positive attitude, good relationships, and a taste for the work that is done can prevent these problems.

Take care of good habits. Quantity and sleep quality are very important factors in combating stress and anxiety. Sleeping well and for the necessary hours rests the body and mind and helps prevent its occurrence. Tobacco, alcohol, stimulant drinks, and other substances are harmful elements that increase the risk.

Life regime. Sedentary lifestyles and living in big cities are triggers for stress and anxiety. On the other hand, outdoor activities, regular physical activity, and participation in sports are very effective ways to combat them. Strenuous and periodic physical exercise is very effective in preventing and treating them.

Relaxation techniques.

They are all those procedures or attitudes that help patients improve their stress and anxiety levels. These techniques range from normal activities such as listening to music, laughing, or walking to self-hypnosis, yoga, meditation, or self-training.

Muscle relaxation exercises. There is a multitude of methods and gymnastics to achieve good muscle relaxation.Before practicing at home, it must be learned and supervised by a physiotherapist in a specialist center. .

Breathing exercises. Deep and conscious breathing is one of the best weapons against tension and stress. Learning to breathe well and doing it at the right time prevents the appearance of anxiety states. Slow, deep breaths using the diaphragm help significantly relieve stress.

Meditation. Several meditation techniques aim to calm the mind by removing anxieties and unwanted ideas. They all lower oxygen consumption, increase brain electrical activity, and lower pulse, heartbeat, and blood pressure. Leaving the mind blank and concentrating on the body’s proprioceptive sensations reduces tension and stress.

Pharmacotherapy and other treatments Before beginning medication, social-orientation therapies would be beneficial, evaluating and modifying the various situations of each patient. Psychotherapy is also effective in treating these situations.

Medication for stress and anxiety Anxiolytics are the most commonly used medications to treat stress and anxiety. They are drugs that relieve or suppress anxiety without causing sedation or sleep. This group of drugs includes benzodiazepines, buspirone, beta-blockers, and some antidepressants. Because of the possibility of drug dependence, doctors must monitor and limit this medication.