Can Stress Be Detrimental To My Health?

Stress is often defined as our bodies’ natural response to a particular events in our own lives. The elements which trigger stress are categorized either as external or internal stressors. Internal stressors cause disturbances in the body’s normal functions (such as in the case of inflammation or infection ) while outside stressors are the variables in the environment that are perceived by our mind as potential threats.

Let’s understad it

When confronted with a possible and imminent danger, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system of the mind prompt the creation and release of steroid hormones, including the primary stress hormone cortisol and specific neurotransmitters called catecholamine. These chemical compounds enable a man to deal quickly with potential threats and are vital in emergency situations. Acute stress causes an instantaneous increase in heart rate and blood pressure, pumps our bodies with adrenaline, triggers the increased production of white and red blood cells and diverts fluids from other non-essential portions of the body (the mouth, throat and the digestive tract).

Among the consequences of acute stress are the drying of the mouth that makes it tough to talk or swallow, sweating and pallor, motor agitation and enlarged pupils. However, once the danger has passed, the stress response is subsequently inactivated, the physiological functions normalize and we encounter what is called the”relaxation response”. If the stressors persist, our stress reaction then won’t inactivate and we remain on a low-level alarm mode for prolonged durations. This condition results to what’s called chronic stress.

Chronic Stress

It’s sad to remember that we are a part of a society in which there is never a lack of stressful situations plaguing our everyday lives. Causes of chronic stress may vary from becoming involved in problematic relationships, using a highly demanding job, being isolated from the loved ones and unrelenting financial issues. If the condition continuously goes unchecked, chronic stress may lead to ill health.

Depression or anxiety. Several researches prove that continuous stress leads to the hyperactivity of the HPA system of the mind and interrupts the normal levels of serotonin in the body. This chemical substance is thought to be crucial for feelings of well-being.

Heart Disease. Serious cardiac events such as heart rhythm abnormalities and heart attacks might be affected by chronic stress. Weakening of the immune defense mechanisms. Chronic stress sufferers are found out to have lower white blood cell counts compared to non-sufferers. Hence, chronic stress sufferers are more prone to illness. Gastrointestinal issues. The mind and the gut are very strongly related. In actuality, both organs share a number of the exact hormones required for them to work normally. That’s the reason it isn’t at all surprising for chronic stress to upset the digestive tract.

Take into account

Constipation, diarrhea, cramping, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcer and inflammatory bowel diseases were found out to be greatly influenced by anxiety. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and diabetes also have been related to the problem. Sexual and Reproductive Dysfunctions. In women, stress may result in diminished sexual appetite, the inability to achieve orgasms, extreme premenstrual pains and occasionally alters the menstrual cycle while it might cause temporary impotence in men.

Maternal stress during pregnancy results to reduce birth weights, premature births and raises the probability of miscarriage. Stress can also have different effects on eating issues and weight. While some men and women who suffer from chronic stress may put on weight or in times, suffer from obesity, in addition, there are instances wherein a sufferer loses appetite and weight. Nobody can actually avoid stress but we could reestablish our state of health through a vast array of means. Exercise, comedy, play, songs, prayer or mediation may all provide us with the inputs required to uplift our spirits and enhance our natural immunity against stress.