Posted on January 23rd, 2009 by Dr. Edward Wallace, Consumer Health Contributor
It’s a dude thing. No, it’s a chick thing.
Editor’s note: Dr. Ed Wallace, consumer health contributor to Balanced Immune Health, provides some thoughts 
below on the topic of stress and gender. I asked Dr. Wallace if he sees any differences in the physical symptoms between male and female patients who encounter stress. While immune balance doesn’t necessarily act on mental or emotional stress, research is suggesting that immune balance can help reduce or alleviate the physical burdens that can result from stress. To see all of the posts we’ve published on this topic, just click the STRESS link in the category listings in the left column of this screen.
Although just about any of the physical or emotional symptoms associated with stress can occur in either gender, I have observed that some conditions are more common in either men or women. It has been shown that when under stress, 41% of females suffer psychological distress compared to 26% of males (Colman, A. (1996). Stress. Youth Studies, 15, 7-9). This is an observation that I would agree with. These findings may result from the fact that “females feel that they must excel at home and at work to be successful, whereas males feel that they must excel only at work (An Analysis of Stress Symptoms and their relation to Sex and Age, Lisa M. Roesler, Department of Psychology, Missouri Western State University).
Of the more common stress associated symptoms, I find that women are most likely to experience headaches, irritable bowel, fatigue, anxiety/depression, lack of sex drive and insomnia, while it is more common for me to see heart palpitations, high blood pressure and irritability in men. Men also demonstrate a greater increase in drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes, in my experience, as well as more back and musculoskeletal problems when compared with women. Effects on the immune system appear about equal between the two sexes.
January 26th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I’m always interested in knowing about new foods and supplements that can help with the immune system. Getting sick isn’t just the days I’m out of commission with, say, the flu but also the time I’m not at the gym, staying on a diet or being able to eat right.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Amen to all, Lisa. For me, I just hate having to use my work PTO days for staying home sick or with sick kids. I’d rather use them for fun stuff, like cleaning the garage or running massive errands for my wife.
February 1st, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Hi there. Great job.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Hi there 7;s a dude thing. No, it’s a chick thing. | Balanced Immune Health was very well written. Good job.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:17 am
I think you did a great job writing 7;s a dude thing. No, it’s a chick thing. | Balanced Immune Health. Bravo.