Definition

Stress can be physical/physiological stress or emotional stress.

Emotional stress is easily detected by the individual. It is defined as emotional disturbance where the individual experiences feelings of uneasiness, anxiety and nervousness. 

Physical/physiological stress is very common and often hidden as signs and symptoms of physical stress are subtle and often does not involve one's emotional status. However, physical stress has a wide impact on one's health and should be noted and managed accordingly.

Accompanying signs & symptoms

Key symptoms: anxiety, uneasiness, nervousness, agitation and impatience, food craving, binge eating, uncontrolled appetite, shallow breathing, snoring, rapid weight gain, fluid retention

Accompanying symptoms include: poor concentration, headache, neck and shoulder tensions, stiff neck and shoulders, poor sleep, insomnia, hair loss

Possible Causes

Pressure from work, family or relationship
Unpleasant event
Environmental factors
Accumulated physical and mental exhaustion
Poor diet and lifestyle

Physiological Mechanisms

Stress and anxiety are very common conditions seen in clinic. They often present among various health problems including fatigue, insomnia, food cravings, poor digestions, depression, general unhappiness as well as irritable bowels. 

When a person is under stress either physically or mentally, the body produced large amount of adrenaline, corticosteroids as well as other stress related hormones. As the result, this rapidly increase the blood sugar level, blood pressure and heart rate. This is known as the fight or flight responses. Consequently, the person becomes agitated, restless and hyperactive. This is also known as anxiety. 

With time, as the blood sugar drops, it creates an urge for sugar or energy boost. Thus the person experiences hunger and craving for foods. 

If the person is constantly under stress, these stress hormones stay in the body for a long time resulting in a vicious cycle of food craving and binging. 

Furthermore, corticosteroids are natural hormones produced by the body to suppress the immune system to cope with stress. These hormones also cause the body to retain excessive fluid and result in rapid weight gain. This type of weight gain is known as fluid retention rather than typical weight gain. Thus, it is not responsive to typical dieting.

Treatment Modalities

acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese herbal treatment for stress

Mechanism of action of the herbs used

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treats the condition by doing the following:
Releasing muscle tensions
Reducing harmful hormones in the body
Correction of hormonal imbalances 
Reducing physiological stress in the body
Promoting deep relaxation of the body
Calming the mind and body

Health Advice

Reducing the intake of caffeine and cigarette smoking
Eat a balance diet
Establishing a regular eating habit
Encouraging moderate, regular and outdoor exercises

References

Longman concise medical dictionary, 1994

Chinese-English Manual of Common-Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ou Ming, 1995