Why constantly sick

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , as of , around 60 percent of American adults had at least one chronic or long-term condition, and 40 percent have two or more. If a person is pregnant or may be pregnant, feeling sick continuously may be morning sickness , which can occur at any time of the day and makes a person feel sick with or without vomiting. In this article originally written for Medical News Today, Jennifer Huizen looks at the causes, symptoms, and treatments for a person feeling sick all the time.

Below are some of the common reasons why someone might always feel sick, plus their symptoms, and how to treat each one. Many people may not associate anxiety with feeling sick, but often it can make a person feel sick to their stomach. A person with anxiety may feel nauseous, or they may find that they get sick more often because their anxiety weakens their immune responses. It is normal for people to have some anxiety. When a person feels anxious continuously, and this gets in the way of daily life, they may wish to talk to a doctor about anxiety disorders.

If a person feels anxiety on most days for 6 months or more , they may be diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder GAD.

A person may have a specific anxiety disorder or a phobia if their anxiety is specific to certain situations, such as social contact or unhygienic places.

Anxiety and anxiety disorders are very treatable. Possible options include:. Experiencing stress here and there is completely normal, but continual stress can greatly impact the mind and body. Extreme stress, such as that caused by grief, shock, or traumatic experiences can also affect people physically.

People with chronic or extreme stress can have many different symptoms, as stress affects the immune system, nervous system, hormones, and heart functioning. The only definite way to treat chronic stress is to address and change the underlying cause. However, several lifestyle habits can greatly reduce stress and its symptoms.

Proper, regular sleep is important for mental and physical health. When someone is chronically sleep-deprived, they may feel sick all the time. Many chronic medical conditions can interfere with sleep, usually intensifying the symptoms of both conditions. Common symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation , or a lack of adequate sleep, include:. Getting sick more often than normal is often one of the signs that clues people into realizing that they have one. Being constantly on-the-go, puts your immune system into a state of stress.

Chronic stress, poor diet and lack of sleep make you less able to fend off infection. And you might need longer than you think to get better — especially as you get older. Otherwise, you might not clear the infection completely, making you vulnerable to a resurgence and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. But some research also suggests that a particularly strenuous workout can actually make you more vulnerable to getting sick for a period of time.

But take this one with a grain of salt. Because on balance, an occasional bout of strenuous exercise is better than not exercising at all, especially if it means the difference between being a healthy weight or overweight or obese. A low white blood cell WBC count may also result in you getting sick more often.

This condition is known as leukopenia , and it can be genetic or caused by another illness. A low WBC count increases your risk of infection. On the other hand, a high WBC count can protect you against disease. For this reason, some people may simply be more naturally equipped to fight a cold or flu. You can experience symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as itchy eyes, watery nose , and a stuffy head without actually having allergies.

This condition is called nonallergic rhinitis. The symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis are similar to those of an allergic reaction. But instead of being caused by ragweed , grass, tree pollen, or another typical allergen, nonallergic rhinitis is caused by strong odors, certain foods, stress, changes in the weather, or even dry air. Irritation and swelling of the lining of the nasal passages cause nonallergic rhinitis. The blood vessels in your nose expand and blood rushes into the nasal lining.

This causes abnormal expansion and inflammation in your nose, which triggers the telltale allergy symptoms. Most people are diagnosed with nonallergic rhinitis after undergoing allergy testing. Most people can use a steroid-based nasal spray to flush the nose of irritants and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter and prescription decongestants are also effective.

You can find a variety of decongestant nasal sprays on Amazon. Side effects of long-term use include high blood pressure , loss of appetite , and anxiety. Stress is a normal part of life, and it can even be healthy in small increments. This can delay healing, increase the frequency and severity of infections, and aggravate existing health problems.

Practice stress reduction techniques , such as:. You may find relaxation through music, art, or meditation. Whatever it is, find something that reduces your stress and helps you relax. Kids have the most social contact , which puts them at high risk for carrying and transmitting germs. Playing with fellow students, playing on dirty playground equipment, and picking up objects from the ground are just a few instances where germs can be spread.

Teach your child good hygiene habits , such as frequent hand washing, and bathe them every day. This helps stop the spread of viruses and germs around your household.

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