How Does Stress Affect The Human Body
Stress is the way our bodies respond to physical or emotional demands. The body responds in two ways neurologically and chemically. The neurological response is a very fast process where our bodies prepare us to fight or flee. Adrenaline is produced in huge amounts and our blood changes its course to our extremities. Instead of going to the internal organs like digestive system and others the blood is directed to the muscles so we are prepared to fight or flee.
The chemical response is not as fast as the neurological one but is more worrying because it can be activated by thought. Just by thinking about a stressful situation will cause our bodies to respond by realising colossal amounts of the two hormones Adrenaline and Glucocorticoids (the latter more commonly known as cortisol).
By flooding our system with these stress hormones our body will stop crucial activities like regeneration and repair, digestion, taking up glucose which may cause diabetes and our immune system will be put on temporary hold. For the immune system be put on hold is quiet a disaster for the body defences as it stops the fight against viruses and bacteria that can lead to infection and illness. An efficient immune system can detect and get rid of cancer cells in their very early stages. Unfortunately cancer cells multiply at a merciless speed once they gain a foothold.
Stress has always been part of our lives and our bodies have developed to cope with a reasonable level of it but if we are constantly living in survival mode our bodies will not be able to cope because we are not designed to live under continuous stress. Whether we are running from a bear trying to save ourselves or having stressful thoughts like trying to meet deadlines, the body responds in the same way to give us the extra energy and other important functions are put on temporary hold.
How about our heart? Again, no matter if the stress is physical or mental the response will be the same. If we see a bear in the woods our heart beat increases and the blood pressure rises to store additional energy to send to our legs for running or to our arms for fighting. We do not need to be brilliant to conclude that this will continue until the danger is past, causing arrhythmia, tachycardia and high blood pressure.
In stress mode even eating healthily will not be of much help as the digestive system is compromised and cannot metabolize the food properly. Similarly, even exercising is not as effective in relieving stress if your emotional state is upset.
Recent studies have shown that as many as 90% of people visit their doctors because of some physical illness which is stress related. Pain in the shoulder, migraine, stomach ache, or high cholesterol is just a few that can be connected with stress.
Tags: how stress affects the human body, stress affects the brain, stress affects the heart
Emotions and Feelings | Carmen Beese January 18, 2009
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By Sandy, December 10, 2009 @ 1:13 am
Thank You for sharing your knowledge.
By Liliana Brey, February 7, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
Can you believe it? I read it twice. While I am not as accomplished on this issue, I tally with your conclusions because they make sense. Thanks and goodluck to you.