The Affects of Stress
Although research has not proven all of the affects of stress on health we are all aware of them in our daily life. Some of the more common affects occasionally don't have a lot to do with stress at all. Ulcers, for example, were once commonly thought to be produced by stress. The latest research shows genetic factors and a bacteria, helicobacter, are the underlying causes of ulcers; however, stomach acid produced during stressful situations may magnify the pain. The same goes for gray hair.
We are well-acquainted with some of the basic symptoms of stress. Common symptoms can include excessive muscle tension, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat and interrupted digestion. Anyone who plays sport is well aware of these symptoms temporarily. Chronic stress however contributes to more harmful and longer-term problems.
Several studies from NIH conclude that stress has genuine physical affects on the immune system. This effect, however, can be either positive or negative.
Stress is not inherently negative; in the short term it is part of our basic "fight or flight" instinct. Stress leads to the release of biochemicals that can help the body and fight infection. When viewed from an evolutionist's perspective, this makes sense, as the immune system has been shaped over time to help deal with these bodily insults.The affects of stress on health are good here as they are designed to protect you.
But when that response keeps coming for months on end, the affects can be bad for you.
There is some growing evidence that the long term affects of stress on health can lead to stress related illness.
It may start with physical symptoms such as muscle spasms and weight gain and struggling with emotions but the result is that the immune system may actually become less effective. Since there is nothing to physically counteract, they can not dissolve. The affects of stress on health here often cause a higher susceptibility to infection and a decreased ability to resist colds and other illnesses caused by viruses.
The secondary affects of stress on health are general fatigue, often coupled with depression. When stress is long-term, there is a correlation between the stress and the perception of being powerless to deal with it. Hence, this thinking leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Investigations into stress causing premature aging have found that long periods of stress can actually shorten cell life span, thus leading to shorter cell life and ultimately speeding up your body’s aging.
One other impact on health caused by chronic stress is a compromised circulatory system and nervous system. The "fight or flight" response triggered by stress releases hormones which must be used by the body; otherwise, they can actually do bodily harm.
Increased blood pressure leads to tension on the cells lining blood vessels. These micro-tears are healed, but scar tissue remains. The blood flow is thus decreased through them.
If carried to an extreme or a very long period, or for people at risk due to genetics or aging, heart attacks can be a possibility. Narrowed blood vessels can reduce the heart's ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the body in an emergency.
Too much stress in a pregnant women can impair a baby’s development, specifically the creation of neurons, important brain cells.
People have been aware for some time that affects of stress on health exacerbates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. We now see why, thanks to medical research on arthritis.
The affects of stress on men are very different to those of women. Some believe that a woman’s body produces chemicals that can help ease stress, when men stress, it have the opposite effect and make making them more hostile, withdrawn, and angry.
There are several techniques that lower stress; learn and practice them. A worldview that helps you to reduce your stress level will be very helpful. Your good health demands it.
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