Title: How Grief Can Affect Your Health
Headings: How Grief Can Affect Your Health
How Grief Can Affect Your Health
Sleep Problems
Fatigue
Immune System
Inflammation
Anxiety
Cortisol
Digestion
Aches and Pains
Heart Rate
Broken Heart Syndrome
Higher Heart Attack Risk
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Content: Swipe to advance
Anxiety
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The events that cause grief can make you feel like you don’t have control over your life. You might be concerned about your financial future or being alone or the possibility of losing someone else. Some worry is normal, but if your anxiety lasts longer than a few months or gets in the way of your normal work or home life, it may be time to talk to a mental health professional. Swipe to advance
Cortisol
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This is sometimes called the “stress hormone,” and your body may release more of it than usual into your bloodstream in the 6 months after the loss of a loved one. High levels of cortisol over a long period can raise your chances of heart disease or high blood pressure. Swipe to advance
Digestion
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Grief can lead you to stop eating on a regular schedule or to binge eat. And stress hormones can make you nauseous or bother your stomach and the rest of your digestive tract. You might have stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, and even irritable bowel syndrome. If you have stomach issues that won't go away, your doctor can help you find ways to treat them. Swipe to advance
Aches and Pains
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Grief may make you more likely to have joint pain, back pain, or headaches.