Hidden Stressors That May Affect Your Health: A Quiz from AWAREmed in Johnson City, TN

Overview

Chronic health challenges—such as high blood pressure, changes in cholesterol levels, prediabetes, or kidney concerns—can sometimes be influenced by hidden stressors beyond the obvious demands of work, family, or daily obligations.

Supportive and adjunctive care alongside conventional medical treatment.

Common Hidden Stressors Include

• Blood sugar imbalances – fluctuations in glucose can affect energy, mood, and overall wellness.
• Inadequate sleep – poor or insufficient rest can interfere with the body’s natural recovery and balance.
• Chronic inflammation – low-level inflammation may contribute to discomfort and fatigue. Learn more about chronic inflammation.
• Emotional or mental stress – ongoing worry or tension can amplify physical symptoms.

Why Hidden Stressors Matter

Many people focus on obvious stressors but may overlook these underlying factors. Addressing them may help support overall wellness and resilience, even if they are not the sole cause of a medical condition.

Take this short quiz to learn which hidden stressors may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

Take the Hidden Stressors Quiz

3 Misconceptions About Hidden Stressors

“My Labs Are Normal…” – But Are They Optimal?

Even if your standard lab tests appear normal, they may not fully reflect your overall wellness. Traditional tests often focus on general markers and may not measure stress, inflammation, or other factors that can affect how you feel day-to-day.

At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, we take a more comprehensive approach. Our goal is to explore the possible factors behind fatigue, stress, or other wellness concerns—so you can better understand your body and take proactive steps toward your wellness goals.

Take the first step: Start with our short wellness quiz to learn which areas may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

Are Nutrient Deficiencies Affecting Your Stress?

Your body relies on key vitamins and minerals to function optimally. When nutrient levels are low, it can affect energy, mood, sleep, thyroid function, and overall wellness—potentially making it harder to cope with stress.

Many people may not realize they have nutrient deficiencies, which can contribute to a cycle of fatigue, disrupted sleep, and decreased resilience to daily stressors.

At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, we take an integrative approach to assess nutrient status. When deficiencies are identified, physician-guided supplementation and lifestyle guidance may help support overall wellness and healthy stress management.

Beyond Cortisol – How Gut Health Affects Stress

Stress is influenced by many factors beyond cortisol levels, and gut health plays a key role. Chronic digestive issues—such as bloating, heartburn, or food sensitivities—can contribute to systemic inflammation, which may affect energy, mood, and overall wellness.

Sometimes, stealth infections or imbalances in the gut microbiome may also play a role in stress and burnout. Addressing these underlying issues with an integrative approach may help support the body’s natural ability to cope with stress, alongside other wellness strategies.

Meet Dr. Dalal Akoury

Dr. Dalal Akoury, MD, MPH, is the founder and medical director of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. She is fellowship-trained and certified in integrative cancer therapy, anti-aging, regenerative medicine, metabolic, and functional medicine, and brings over 20 years of experience in emergency medicine and pediatrics. She also holds a Master’s degree in Public Health.

Dr. Akoury has completed fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and has conducted research on leukemia and the effects of smoking at Emory University in collaboration with the CDC.

In recent years, Dr. Akoury has focused her work on stress and its impact on aging, sexual health, cancer, and addiction, applying an integrative approach to help patients work toward better overall health and wellness. Learn more about functional medicine at AWAREmed.

Your Health + Wellness Is Our Passion

At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, helping people live a more balanced and healthier life is more than our job—it’s our passion. We combine current scientific research with a dedication to providing personalized, high-quality care.

How We Approach Wellness

• We focus on your individual needs, not what insurance mandates.
• Our programs offer longer appointment times, more thorough communication, and advanced testing.
• We provide guidance on lifestyle factors that affect your health, from nutrition and exercise to stress management and sleep.

We strive to be your trusted partner in wellness, supporting you every step of the way as you work toward your own goals for health, resilience, and vitality.

If you are still looking for answers, or if you feel unheard, we are here to listen. Take the first step toward understanding your wellness with our short quiz.

Take the Hidden Stressors Quiz

What Patients Say About Their Experience

“Not only is she such an intelligent woman, she is very compassionate and loving... Something you don’t see today in doctors. I highly recommend Dr. Akoury!” – Serena

“Dr. Akoury is an amazing doctor with a compassion and love that she puts into everything she does and everyone that she meets. I have never met a doctor who works as hard as she does and is able to still take the time to invest herself completely in her patients.” – Bobby

“I am so happy to have found Dr. Akoury and her staff. The atmosphere at Awaremed is tranquil and accepting. You can almost feel the love in the air. Dr. Akoury’s philosophy embodies all that I have been searching for in a healthcare professional.” – Lynn

These testimonials reflect individual experiences. Results vary. No medical claims are being made.

Want to talk about your results? Call (423) 430-6170 or book a consultation. You can also read about chronic inflammation and functional medicine at AWAREmed.

Related reading from our Health Library: herbal adaptogens for stress relief and vitality and supporting your body's natural detoxification as you age.

Learn more about Dr. Akoury's background and integrative approach.

Frequently Asked Questions