[The effects of violence and terrorism on chronic physical illness].
Over the past few years more than a thousand Israeli civilians were murdered and thousands were wounded in recurrent terrorist attacks. Many others had been exposed to the terrorists' attacks, either directly or indirectly. However, the impact of the terror on physical illness had not yet been explored. Stress may cause diseases like hypertension or ischemic heart diseases and may exaggerate asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases and others; this is in addition to posttraumatic disorders, depression and anxiety. This article reviews the influence of stress, and especially conflicts, on chronic physical illness and aims to encourage further research on this subject in Israel.
Vinker
Shlomo
S
Department of Family Medicine, Central District, Clalit Health Services. vinker01@zahav.net.il
Shifman-Poran
Chani
C
Kitai
Eliezer
E
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000209:etiology; D023481:Terrorism; D014754:Violence