associated with a 26 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease and a 48 percent increased risk of death due to a incident The stomach and bowel are directly impacted by the response Over time nerves that manage digestion can become reactive causing unpredictable abdominal discomfort such as irritable bowel and upset stomach Although the symptoms are not life threatening they significantly impact quality of life and can be quite difficult to manage In addition people are more vulnerable to stomach ulcers when the stress hormone cortisol is released on a chronic basis Anxiety is often present in people with respiratory disease particularly asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Fear and worry impact breathing making these illnesses all the more distressing The stress reaction due to anxiety is also linked with migraines rheumatoid arthritis hyperthyroidism diabetes and autoimmune illnesses Unfortunately anxiety is often not considered a significant factor when treating these complicated and often debilitating symptoms If anxiety is overlooked medical symptoms may become worse Knowing which of your symptoms are anxiety related and managing them will improve your overall physical functioning and psychological WHAT STORIES ARE YOU There is a interplay between anxiety and medical illness The story you