Headaches, nausea, sleeplessness and exhaustion are thought to be just a few of the symptoms of today's most topical medical condition, credit crunch stress.

Already there are reports of increased levels of depression and tension headaches, not to mention health problems associated with economising, like skipping meals, cancelling gym memberships and drowning sorrows with alcohol.

Recently, 39-year-old postman Duncan Wilby, from Yorkshire, became one of the early fatalities of the current economic crisis. It was reported that, apparently troubled by financial problems, he took his own life.

Dr Nick Read, a physician and psychotherapist who specialises in stress-related conditions is just one expert predicting that the medical profession may soon see a surge in illness caused by money worries.

He says: "The current situation with growing financial uncertainty and anxiety about the future is bound to impact on people's health. Many will feel overwhelmed and worried that they can't cope.

"So doctors may well see more and more people exhibiting symptoms which are triggered by stress such as back pain, breathlessness, muscular tensions, and gut complaints such as pain, indigestion and diarrhoea.

"Stress also exacerbates existing illnesses like eczema, asthma, arthritis and migraines."

Stress hormones have a range of damaging effects on the body. Adrenalin increases inflammation, makes pain worse and ties the guts in knots. Cortisol raises blood sugar and blood pressure, makes infections worse and induces obesity and exhaustion.

Sleep deprivation caused by money worries is already, according to recent research, affecting those in particularly vulnerable professions – estate agents, lorry drivers and taxi drivers.

They are enjoying less sleep – only at best six hours a night – than those in other professions and trades, found a survey by Travelodge.

The company's director of sleep, Leigh McCarron, says: "It's no surprise that the professions in the industries worst hit by the credit crunch come top of the charts. We all know that money worries and job insecurity are key drivers of stress, which in turn, leads to significant sleep loss."

Here medical experts and stress specialists give advice to help you avoid becoming a health casualty of the credit crunch.

Beat the blues
Low mood as well as feeling more irritable, forgetful, and finding it harder to concentrate can all be symptoms of stress, says Dr Wendy Denning. She says it's vital to keep as positive an outlook as possible and cautions against over-focusing on the barrage of dire financial forecasts in the media.

"Dwelling on the worst possible outcome saps optimism and leads some people to obsess on negative thoughts. Thinking the worst all the time only helps it become a reality.

She recommends a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement to boost the body as stress may deplete levels of key vitamins like B and C, and magnesium and zinc, and suggests a balanced diet including meat, oily fish, eggs, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and fresh fruit.

"Also, even half an hour's exercise five times a week – yoga's particularly good – can stimulate feelgood chemicals like seratonin that affect the brain and help people feel more positive and able to cope."

Don't panic
Panic attacks may be a symptom of stress and anxiety. These can last for a brief period of around 15 minutes and feature a range of symptoms including dizziness, nauseous, sweating and a racing heart. TV doctor Chris Steel, who appears on ITV1's This Morning, says: "Very simply, your body is probably giving you a message. Check out your anxiety and stress levels and lifestyle and try to do something about them."

Soothing sleep
Stress and anxiety is the enemy of a good night's sleep; around seven hours a night is recommended.

Her advice: Try to allow enough time at the end of the day to prepare for sleep. Don't work until you're literally too tired to do any more.
"Play soothing music, have a relaxing bath, do some gentle stretching to relax muscles, and maybe have a soothing scent like lavender in the bedroom."

Sex and the city
Scottish scientists reportedly found that sex isn't just an effective stress reliever for a short time - but that the benefits of one session helped to keep stress at bay for up to a week. Unfortunately anxiety and stress is known to reduce libido.

Dr Denning says: "A drop in libido is a known side effect of stress. Relaxation techniques can help, but also talk about any problems with your partner or seek advice from a health specialist."