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 Stress - Impact on the Mind and Body
Stress leads to physical and or mental tension. If
stress becomes unrelenting and chronic it is a major factor in causing
disease. The stress reaction involves the whole body. Organs and
systems are constantly on the alert and physically prepared to respond
to the stressor - even when you are sitting behind a desk or making a
presentation or working too hard for too long or dealing with too many
stimulating projects at the one time or dealing with too many demands
on your time. Stress can adversely affect the mind and body in many ways. Alcohol,
tobacco and other substance abuse: problems dealing with stress can
lead to an increase in the consumption of substances such as alcohol,
tranquillisers, sleeping pills, other drugs, smoking and caffeine
consumption. Chronic tiredness/fatigue: with the
right levels of stress we are able to be productive, creative,
enthusiastic and healthy, However when we have too much stress we
become less efficient and productive and start to develop poor
interpersonal relationships. Together these factors can lead to mental
and physical fatigue which can lead to more stress and this often ends
in 'burn-out'. Depression: high cortisol levels and
serotonin-noradrenalin dysfunction - both common to chronic stress are
implicated in depression. Stress can exacerbate all psychiatric
conditions including depression. Diabetes and
insulin resistance: adrenaline released during the stress reaction
inhibits the production of insulin - a major hormone that is
responsible for moving insulin from the blood. When we have chronic
stress sustained high blood sugar levels together with high levels of
cortisol (a hormone) and a susceptible individual we have the potential
for developing diabetes. Stress also makes existing diabetes worse. Digestion:
diarrhoea, oesophageal spasms; irritable bowel syndrome; poor digestion
with bloating, gas and abdominal pain; spastic colon, ulcerative
colitis and Crohn's disease are some of the digestive system problems
that are associated with stress. Heart or
cardiovascular system: heart attacks, high blood pressure, thickening
of the arteries (atherosclerosis or plaque formation), thrombosis
(formation of blood clots) and strokes. Immune
system: in the short term stress enhances the immune function but
sustained stress suppressed its function. The more stress there is the
fewer antibodies the body will produce. Both kinds of immunity (cell
mediated and humoral immunity) are affected by chronic stress - this
means that you are more likely to be infected by viruses (including
those linked to cancer), bacteria, fungi and parasites. There will also
be an increase in sensitivity to environmental toxins. The link between
stress and the immune system is seen in disorders ranging from colds to
autoimmune conditions (such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus
erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis) and HIV/AIDs
through to cancers. Insomnia: difficulty sleeping is
one of the first symptoms of high levels of stress. We need sufficient
sleep in order to function properly and to be able to manage the day to
day stressors of living in a modern world. Obesity:
cortisol (a hormone) is secreted during long term stress which leads to
fat accumulating around the abdomen and back. Stress can also lead to
behaviour patterns whereby we try to be kind or nice to ourselves and
eat what we think of as 'comfort foods'. These foods are usually high
in fats and sugars. Sexual and reproductive system:
impotence, premature ejaculation, lowered libido, frigidity, loss of
self confidence, premenstrual tension and infertility. Stress also play
a major role in the experience of life transitions - puberty, menopause
(male and female) retirement and old age. Skeletal
system: backaches, headaches (due to tension and poor posture), muscle
tension. Stress hormones interfere with the body's ability to produce
bone - resulting in low bone density and osteoporosis. Skin:
approximately 40% of skin disorders as associated with stress.
Dermatitis and eczema are often directly related to stress reactions.
Problems such as psoriasis, urticaria, acne and cold sores are made
worse by or brought on by stress. Other problems
associated with stress include: forgetfulness, persistent irritability,
apathy, lack of concentration, social withdrawal and increased
aggression. It can be seen from the list above that the
effects of chronic stress can be debilitating and widespread. If the
conditions above are treated without due attention being payed to the
stressor underlying the condition then improvements will, at best, only
be partial. Relaxation and visualisation, exercise, balanced diet,
vitamin and mineral supplementation and herbal remedies are just some
of the approaches that can be of benefit. (You can find these on the
healthproductssite.com)Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and
wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote
vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages people to improve their health by quit smoking, cleansing their body, taking essential vitamin and mineral supplement and many other methods, including herbal remedies. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Jenny_Tylee
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