HOW DOES STRESS IMPACT THE BODY?

(by Deetya Rao)

INTRODUCTION

Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to life experiences. Everyone expresses stress from time to time. Anything from everyday responsibilities like work and family to serious life events such as a new diagnosis, war, or the death of a loved one can trigger stress. For immediate, short-term situations, stress can be beneficial to health. It can help cope with potentially serious situations. The human body responds to stress by releasing hormones that increase the heart and breathing rates and ready the muscles to respond. Yet if the stress response doesn’t stop firing, and these stress levels stay elevated far longer than is necessary for survival, it can cause chronic stress.

SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC STRESS

• Aches and pains

• Decreased energy

• Difficulty sleeping

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Anxiety

• Decreased attention span

• Gastronomical problems

HOW CHRONIC STRESS DAMAGES OUR BODY

• Respiratory System

Stress hormones affect the respiratory system. During the stress response, breathing occurs rapidly in an effort to quickly distribute oxygen-rich blood to the body. If a person already has a breathing problem like asthma or emphysema, stress can make it even harder to breathe.

• Cardiovascular System

Under stress, the heart also pumps faster. Stress hormones cause the blood vessels to constrict and divert more oxygen to the muscles so as to gain more strength to take action. But this also raises the blood pressure, as a result, frequent or chronic stress will make the heart work too hard for too long. When the blood pressure rises, so do the risks for having a stroke or heart attack.

• Digestive System 

Under stress, the liver produces extra blood sugar to give a boost of energy. If a person is under chronic stress, their body may not be able to keep up with this extra glucose surge. Chronic stress may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The rush of hormones, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate can also upset the digestive system. A person is more likely to have heartburn due to an increase in stomach acid. Stress doesn’t cause ulcers, but it can increase the risk for them and cause existing ulcers to act up. Stress can also affect the way food moves through the body, leading to diarrhoea or constipation. A person might also experience nausea, vomiting, or a stomachache.

• Muscular System

The muscles tense up to protect thems

HOW TO COPE WITH CHRONIC STRESS

• Psychotherapy: Approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help in learning to identify negative thought patterns that contribute to chronic stress. Working with a therapist, one can then begin to change these thoughts to more realistic, helpful ones. One can also learn coping tools that will help to better manage responses to stress. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is another approach that can help people utilize mindfulness and meditation to cope with chronic stress.

• Medications: Doctors may prescribe different medications to help manage some of the symptoms of stress. If a person is experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, their doctor may prescribe an antidepressant  or medications that can help in sleeping or reducing stomach upset.

REFERENCES

Healthline. (n.d.). The effects of stress on your body. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/effects-on-body

Verywell Mind. (n.d.). Chronic stress: Symptoms, health effects, and coping strategies. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/chronic-stress-3145104