Stress Effects Body

 
It is difficult to find a definition of stress that everyone agrees on, because what is stressful for one person could have little or no effect on others. Although we all react to stress differently, numerous physical and emotional disorders have been linked to stress. When we are under stress, we usually tend to ignore healthy lifestyle choices like sleeping enough, getting enough exercise and eating healthy food. This can only have negative stress effects body. Stress can affect organs, systems and tissues all over the body. In fact, it is difficult to think of a disease in which stress doesn’t play an aggravating role. It affects brain by triggering mental and emotional problems such as insomnia, headaches, irritability, anxiety, depression, irritability or even personality changes.

Stress can also affect the cardiovascular system, causing an increase in heart rate and stronger contractions of the heart. The blood vessels that direct blood to the heart and to the large muscles dilate, thus increasing the amount of blood pumped to these body parts. Numerous stress episodes can lead to inflammation in the coronary arteries, which may lead to heart attack. Strokes and hypertension may be stress – related, too. When we are under stress, the muscles tense up. The contraction of the muscles for longer periods will trigger headaches, musculoskeletal aches, spasmodic pains in the neck and shoulders and lower back pain. Muscular twitches and muscular tics occur more often under stress. Lungs are affected too because stress makes us breathe harder, causing hyperventilation. This can result in panic attacks; people with asthmatic conditions can be even more affected.

Stress may also cause diseases of the gastrointestinal system.  The esophagus is affected when you eat more or less than usually. This usually leads to heartburn, or acid reflux. Stomach reacts to stress with ‘butterflies’, nausea or even pain. Digestion is also affected, and so are the nutrients the intestines absorb. Food moves through the body either quicker or slower than usually, which can result in either diarrhea or constipation. More severe stress effects body on the digestive system include gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers and ulcerative colitis. 

Stress can also have bad effects on the reproductive system. In men, the excess amounts of cortisol that are produced under stress could affect the functions of the reproductive system. It leads to low testosterone and sperm production, premature ejaculations and even to impotence. In women, stress can cause either absent or irregular menstrual cycle or more periods that are painful. Recurrent vaginal infections and reduced sexual desire are also stress – related.

When the body is stressed, the brain sends signals from the hypothalamus, causing the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol and the adrenal medulla to produce epinephrine, which is also called the ‘stress hormone’. Chronic stress raises the cortisol and epinephrine levels, which usually lead to weakened immune system. Excessive hair loss, mouth ulcers, skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema,  susceptibility to infections raging from the common cold to AIDS, as well as  serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease or Parkinson’s disease – these can all be the effects of stress on our bodies.