Researchers believe that elevated anxiety may induce nerve firing to occur more often. This can cause tingling, burning, and other symptoms associated with nerve injury and neuropathy. Anxiety can also produce muscular cramps, which can be linked to nerve damage. Chronic stress has been shown to weaken the immune system, which makes one more susceptible to developing cancer. Stress also affects the way the body uses hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to weight gain or weight loss, dry skin, acne, hair loss, irritability, and depression. Stress can also trigger migraine headaches. The headache pain is caused by changes in blood flow to areas of the brain. These changes are thought to result from fluctuations in hormone levels due to stress. Stress can also trigger facial pain, such as that caused by TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. Stress can also cause stomach pain. If you are experiencing severe stressors in your life, see a psychologist or counselor to discuss these issues.