Stress

Did you know that stress can affect all areas of your mind and body?

Human beings have bodies well adapted for the effects of short-term stress. Indeed, small amounts of stress have been noted to increase a person’s performance on learning and in physical activities. However, if a person experiences a great deal of stress over a prolonged period of time, then stress can cause some serious health problems. Here are some of the ways long-term stress can damage your body:

Cardiovascular: Stress can cause elevated cholesterol levels, narrowing of the arteries, increased heart rate, and higher chances of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Endocrine: Stress causes an increase in hormones in the liver to produce more blood sugar which increases the risk for Type 2 and Type 1 diabetes.

Immune System: Stress can cause skin problems, such as acne and eczema, bring on hives and shingles, and slow down the healing process. In addition, long-term stress can leave the body more prone to infections and illness of all types.

Musculoskeletal: Stress causes a tensing of the muscular system throughout the body which can cause headaches, backaches, neck and shoulder pain, and increases the likelihood of osteoporosis.

Nervous System: The brain’s sympathetic nerves send signals to the adrenal glands during stress which, in turn, releases the neurochemicals of cortisol and epinephrine. Repeatedly high levels of these neurochemicals released in the brain may cause depression, memory loss, and problems with learning functions.

Reproductive: Stress can affect the length and duration of a female’s menstrual cycles, or stop the cycle altogether. High levels of stress during pregnancy may increase the chance of having the baby develop allergies and/or asthma later in life. Stress also leaves the female organs vulnerable for bacterial vaginosis.

Respiratory: Stress causes an increase in breathing, or even hyperventilation. Over a long period of time, this hyperventilation and excess breathing may cause recurrent upper respiratory infections and sinus infections.

Digestive: Stress can cause indigestion, nausea, heartburn, and ulcers. Dry mouth, gas, and acid reflux are also associated with stress. When stress causes disruptions in the muscles of the intestine, then the risks include an increased chance for getting irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers.