26 January 2004	Monday	03 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Jan 25: Around 90 per cent of diseases and ailments are psychosomatic in nature and are mainly caused by stress. This was stated by Prof Moiz Hussain while speaking at the interactive workshop on "Stress Management : Stretching to Unstress" held here on Sunday.

In his detailed presentation, Prof Moiz pointed out that psychosomatic illness like heart ailments, stomach disorders, hypertension, ache and pains, poor memory and weak concentration, irritability, anger, depression, anxiety, insomnia, frustration and at times even cancers were mainly caused by stress.

He said that stress was neither positive nor negative, yet its management was essential adding that it could turn positive if not properly controlled. Prolonged stress could harm the human health, he added.

He said that stress could vary in nature; it could be physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Reminding that each day nearly four million new prescriptions are written for anti-depressants, tranquillisers and sleeping pills all over the world, Prof Moiz said that this could be well contained through efficient stress management techniques.

He said that stress could cause low performance and decrease productivity in professional life; and conflicts as well as dissatisfaction in personal life. He said that regular physical exercise, giving due attention and time to one-self and proper sleep were some of the other measures to reduce stress.-APP