The effect of stress on our health

Stress can be brief, situational, and a positive force that motivates performance. But if exposure is done over a long period of time, It may become chronic stress, Which negatively affects health and well-being.

There is no doubt that tension and stress are the cause of annoying symptoms such as headaches. Insomnia and sleep problems, Body malaise and weakness, Lack of concentration. These symptoms, with their recurrence and lack of management, negatively affect a person’s health

Stress also causes health problems: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes.

Common symptoms of stress and tension on the body: (1) (2)

1. a headache.
2. Spasm and muscle pain.
3. Weakness and fatigue.
4. Chest pain.
5. stomach trouble.
6. Sexual disorders
7. Sleep problems.
8. Weak immune system and ease of getting sick.

Common symptoms of stress and tension in the mood: (1) (2)

1. anxiety.
2. insomnia.
3. Lack of focus.
4. Lack of motivation to do work.
5. Memory problems.
6. Weakness and feeling of exhaustion.
7. Anger.
8. Depression.

Common symptoms of stress and tension on behavior: (1) (2)

1. Overeating or undereating.
2. Tantrums.
3. It may lead to drinking alcohol, using drugs, and smoking.
4. Solitude.
5. Failure to perform due diligence.

How do stress and tension affect the skeletal system?  (3)

• When the body is tired, Muscles tense. Muscle tension is almost a reflex response to stress, It is the body’s way of protecting against injury and pain.
• for example, Both tension headaches and migraines are associated with chronic muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and head. Musculoskeletal pain in the lower back and upper extremities has also been linked to stress, Especially job stress.
• Relaxation techniques and other stress-relieving activities and therapies have been shown to effectively reduce muscle tension, It reduces the occurrence of some stress-related disorders, Like a headache

How do stress and tension affect the respiratory system? (3)

• Stress and strong emotions can present with respiratory symptoms, Such as shortness of breath and rapid breathingThe airway between the nose and the lungs becomes constricted. For people without respiratory conditions, this is generally not a problem as the body can manage the extra work to breathe comfortably, but psychological stressors can exacerbate breathing problems in people with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

How do stress and tension affect the cardiovascular system? (3)

• The heart and blood vessel represent the cardiovascular system that works together to provide nutrition and oxygen to the body’s organs. The activity of these two elements is also coordinated in the body’s response to stress. Acute stress – Momentary or short-term stress may cause an increase in heart rate and stronger contractions of the heart muscle, With stress hormones. Adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol act as messengers of these effects.
• in addition to, The blood vessels that direct blood to the large muscles and heart expand, This increases the amount of blood pumped to these parts of the body and raises blood pressure. Once the acute stress episode is over, The body returns to its normal state.
• chronic stress, Or persistent stress that occurs over a long period of time, It can contribute to long-term cardiovascular problems. The continuous increase in heart rate, High levels of stress hormones and blood pressure, It can negatively affect the body. This sustained, long-term stress can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke.
• Repeated acute stress and persistent chronic stress may also contribute to inflammation in the circulatory system. Especially in the coronary arteries, This is one of the pathways thought to link stress to heart attacks. It also appears that how a person responds to stress can affect cholesterol levels.
• The risk of stress-related heart disease appears to be different for women. Depending on whether the woman is premenopausal or postmenopausal. Estrogen levels in premenopausal women appear to help blood vessels respond better during stress, This helps their bodies deal better with stress and protects them from heart disease. Postmenopausal women lose this level of protection due to the loss of estrogen. Which exposes them to a greater risk of the effects of stress on heart disease.

How do stress and tension affect the endocrine system? (3)

• When stressed, the brain affects the pituitary and adrenal glands. It is the main driver of the endocrine stress response. This eventually leads to an increase in the production of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids. Which includes cortisol, Which is often referred to as the “stress hormone.”

How do stress and tension affect the digestive system? (3)

• The gut contains hundreds of millions of neurons that can function more or less independently and are in constant communication with the brain. Which explains the ability to feel discomfort in the stomach when anxious, stressed, or sad. Stress can affect communication between the brain and the gut. It may cause pain, bloating, and other intestinal discomfort more easily
• Stress is linked to changes in gut bacteria which in turn can affect mood. Therefore, the gut nerves and bacteria strongly influence the brain and vice versa.
• Stress early in life can change the development of the nervous system as well as how the body reacts to stress. These changes can increase the risk of bowel disease or dysfunction later.

Symptoms that may affect the digestive system: (1) (2) (3)

1. heartburn
2. Pain and cramps in the stomach, intestines and esophagus
3. Acid reflux.
4. Bloating
5. Nausea
6. Vomiting may occur if the condition is severe.
7. Increase or decrease in appetite.
8. Diarrhea or constipation.

• Stress particularly affects people with chronic bowel disorders. Such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. This may be due to increased sensitivity of the intestinal nerves, Changes in intestinal microorganisms, Changes in the speed at which food moves through the digestive tract, Or changes in gut immune responses.

How do stress and tension affect the nervous system? (3)

• The nervous system consists of several sections: The central section, which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral section, which consists of the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.
• The autonomic nervous system has a direct role in the physical response to stress and is divided into the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
• When the body is exposed to stress, The SNS sends signals to the adrenal glands to secrete hormones called adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol. These hormones lead to Combined with direct actions on the autonomic nerves, It increases the speed of the heartbeat, increases the breathing rate, dilates the blood vessels in the arms and legs, changes the digestive process, and increases the levels of glucose (sugar energy) in the bloodstream to higher levels.
• Chronic stress can lead, who suffers from stress over a long period of time, To deplete the body in the long term. As the autonomic nervous system continues to trigger physical reactions, It causes corrosion in the body. It’s not about what chronic stress does to the nervous system; Rather, it is what the constant activation of the nervous system does to other body systems that becomes a problem

Prepared by: Dalal Edriss

References:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987#:~:text=Common%20effects%20of%20stress,%2C%20stroke%2C%20obesity%20and%20diabetes.
2. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/health
3. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body