Mega Doctor News
If you are struggling with the pressures of daily life, you are certainly not alone.
In the United States, about two-thirds of adults say they wrestle with stress at least weekly, according to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), while about 25% of U.S. adults say they’re so stressed most days that they can’t function.
A range of factors have led to the increase in day-to-day stress levels in a majority of U.S. adults, including health-related stressors (65%), money (63%) and the economy (64%), according to the APA’s 2024 Stress in America survey, while about one in three Americans have layoff anxiety.
While the human body is well-equipped to handle stress in small doses, it can have serious effects on your bodywhen it becomes persistent.
“Stress triggers the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can increase heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate,” says Chris Casso, MD, ABOM, a board-certified family medicine physician with South Texas Health System Clinics. “Over time, the constant activation of the stress response system can significantly impact an individual’s well-being.”
Over an extended period, chronic stress can manifest in a multitude of symptoms like aches and pains, insomnia or sleepiness, low energy and unfocused or cloudy thinking. The symptoms can affect various aspects of a person’s well-being.
While it’s common knowledge that long-term stress can increase your risk of developing a mental health condition, it affects nearly every system in the body.
“Over time, the constant activation of the stress response system can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses,” says Dr. Casso. “But that’s not all… the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, muscular and reproductive systems can be greatly impacted, putting an individual at greater risk of life-threatening conditions like heart disease, stroke and certain cancers.”
To help Rio Grande Valley residents better understand chronic stress and its effect on long-term health, South Texas Health System will devote the latest episode of its monthly “South Texas Healthy Living” television program to the condition.
Broadcast live on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. on KVEO-TV NBC 23, the program will feature a sit-down interview with Dr. Casso on the tell-tale signs and symptoms of chronic stress, the complications associated with the condition and the treatment options available for those living in constant worry.
Additionally, STHS System Director of Marketing & Public Relations and “South Texas Healthy Living” host Tom Castañeda sits down with an Edinburg man and self-proclaimed “stress junkie,” who suffered a heart attack in March after more than two decades of working in a high-stress job, to learn more about the impact of persistent stress on his quality of life, find out how the STHS Behavioral Intensive Outpatient Program has helped him learn healthy ways to decompress and get his advice for others on find their way through stress.
The program will also feature a special cooking segment led by Patrick Woodin, South Texas Health System McAllen’s director of dietary & nutrition services, a demonstration of essential stress-busting exercises with a member of the STHS Edinburg Rehabilitation Services team and important techniques to help chronic stress sufferers effectively manage their condition and improve their well-being.
“Stress is a common and inevitable part of life, but it’s important to find your way through it to avoid serious health complications. Overcoming stress involves identifying stressors, practicing relaxation techniques, engaging in self-care and building a strong support system,” says Castañeda. “While you may not always be able to avoid stress, there are ways to manage it before it becomes overwhelming. So, in this latest episode of ‘South Texas Healthy Living,’ we’ll highlight healthy ways to cope with stress and build resilience, including some simple exercises you can do from the comfort of your home to help you unwind and a quick and easy recipe to boost your mood. It’s all about helping you get healthy and stay healthy!”
To learn more about chronic stress and its impact on your health, don’t miss the latest episode of “South Texas Healthy Living” on Sunday, May 25 at 9:00 a.m. on KVEO-TV NBC 23.
To watch previous episodes of “South Texas Healthy Living” and the system’s South Texas Health Updates, one minute videos offering education on various health issues, visit South Texas Health System’s Medical Minute page on ValleyCentral.com.
