According to an unknown author, “Anger is one letter short of danger.” And this is probably true in the context of health.

Anger, as described by the author of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Sheila Videbeck, is an emotion considered to be normal that includes an uncomfortable and strong emotional response, towards a certain perceived irritation. Again, anger is a normal process. It becomes bad only if this emotion, which has allowed people to adapt to the environment, cannot be managed appropriately. Videbeck explains that anger will only be negative if the person will deny the emotion, or will hide it, or will express it in an unacceptable manner.

According to some theorists, anger is related to the brain’s response to fight and flight stimulations. As humans try to respond to the stimuli all over his environment, his body, particularly his adrenal glands, will release neurotransmitters such as adrenaline/epinephrine or noradrenaline/norepinephrine which will in turn elicit different reactions from the different physical parts of his body. When adrenaline/noradrenaline binds with some regions of the blood vessels, blood pressure will increase. When adrenaline/noradrenaline binds with some areas of the heart, the heart will beat faster causing an increase in heart rate. When adrenaline/noradrenaline binds to specific regions of the digestive organs, the digestive tract will slow down its processes and will cause constipation to some people. If anger is not managed well, these supposedly normal reactions will over-react and will cause health problems, some of which are as follows:

1. Headache

   The headache experienced by a person who is angry is more related to the physiological responses of the body towards the stimulation. If one is fuming with anger, his jaw will tighten which would eventually cause a headache since the muscles around the head and face have created tension. Additionally, as adrenaline is pumped by the adrenal glands, the blood vessels in the brain become constricted, causing the brain to be deprived of blood which could therefore result to headache. Moreover, dehydration may also occur when one is angry because one fails to remember to drink due to anger preoccupation. Deprivation of necessary fluids in the body, especially the brain, will also cause headache.

2. Digestion Problems

   Anger stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. When this part of the body is stimulated, it causes the digestive system to slow down its activity. The mouth becomes dry as the salivary gland decreases its production, stomach peristalsis (movement) is reduced, and intestinal motility is diminished. For those who hold on to anger for a long time, adrenaline/noradrenaline will cause the body to redirect the blood, enzymes, energy and oxygen away from the digestive system and towards other vital organs as a way for humans to survive. This will result to a low supply of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, lowered digestive enzymes and imbalance of the level of acidity and alkalinity in the stomach, which all spells digestive problems.

3. Insomnia

   Anger is a reaction to perceived danger, similar to fear. When there is perceived danger, the body will be in alert level. If this happens, the mind is always active to protect the body from any threats. This causes the person to stay awake all night, depriving him of the necessary rest and sleep. Insomnia is detrimental to one’s health since the body cannot function effectively if the body is depleted of the necessary energy that are only replenished when one has rested well. By addressing anger and reducing the body’s stresses, the body will become tired and the person can sleep.

4. Anxiety

   Anxiety is normal; it is the body’s reaction to fight and flight stimulations. But anxiety disorder is already a disease. When anger is not managed well, the person will always be afraid of what will happen next and will tend to worry if what has happened will happen again. This will result to massive anxiety which will in turn become an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder is the frequent, exaggerated and excessive worrying of events or activities in one’s everyday life. Having this disease causes more complications, such as headaches, digestive problems and other health problems harmful to the body.

5. Depression

   Some people express anger in maladaptive ways. While others turn toward things and other people to communicate their anger, others turn toward themselves. Handling anger is a learned process, usually taught from generation to generation. To some families, anger must be always concealed or not communicated. To others, anger is expressed by self-loathing. Hating oneself will usually cause depression. And depression has many negative consequences.

6. High Blood Pressure

   Anger causes the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones that will bind to regions of the blood vessels, causing it to constrict. When the blood vessels constrict, it triggers the blood to flow in high pressure. This is supposed to be a normal reaction, but when it happens constantly, the blood vessels weaken and may rupture causing internal bleeding, especially in the brain and eyes. But it also causes thickening and narrowing of the blood vessels, which will result to organs, such as kidneys and heart, working harder for blood to be circulated around the body.

7. Heart Attack and Stroke

   When the blood vessels constrict and blood pressure is high because of anger, there is a tendency for the heart to be deprived of the necessary blood and its nutrients. When this happens, it causes angina (chest pain). When there is too much anger, angina may result to infarcts that will result to heart attacks. Additionally, when the heart pumps harder because the blood vessels are constricted, the heart walls thicken and there will be pooling of blood inside the heart; this disease is called Congestive Heart Failure, which could complicate to problems with the heart rhythm that may result to heart attacks.

   Stroke happens when the weakened blood vessels in the brain rupture due to increasing blood pressure caused by anger. It also happens when, because of the high pressure of the blood flowing through the vessels, clots or thrombus will be detached from the blood vessels and will travel towards the brain, causing the clogging of tiny arteries.

Sources
betterhealth.vic.gov.au
webmd.com
en.wikipedia.org
livestrong.com
digestivesplus.com
insomnia-connection.com
nhlbi.nih.gov
iibc.com
my-anxiety.com