Understanding Stress and its Effects

• Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to life experiences

Causes of Stress

• Everyday responsibilities can lead to stress
• Serious life events can also trigger stress such as a new diagnosis, war, or the death of a loved one

Short-Term Stress

• Short-term stress can be beneficial
• It helps cope with potentially serious situations
• The body responds by releasing hormones
• Hormones increase heart and breathing rates
• Muscles are readied to respond

Chronic Stress

• Chronic stress takes a toll on health
• It happens when the stress response doesn’t stop firing
• It happens when stress levels stay elevated longer than needed

Common Symptoms of Chronic Stress

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Headaches
• Insomnia

Central Nervous System

• The CNS is in charge of the "fight or flight" response
• The hypothalamus tells the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol
• These hormones increase heartbeat
• Blood rushes to the muscles, heart, and other important organs
• The hypothalamus should tell all systems to return to normal when the perceived fear is gone
• The response will continue if the CNS fails to return to normal, or if the stressor doesn’t go away

Behaviors Influenced by Chronic Stress

• Overeating or not eating enough
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Social withdrawal

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems

• Stress hormones affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
• Breathing quickens in an effort to distribute oxygen-rich blood
• Stress can make breathing harder for those with asthma or emphysema
• The heart pumps faster under stress

Blood Vessels

• Stress hormones cause blood vessels to constrict
• Stress hormones divert more oxygen to muscles
• Blood pressure is raised
• Frequent or chronic stress makes the heart work too hard for too long
• Risks for stroke or heart attack increase when blood pressure rises.

Glucose Levels

• The liver produces extra blood sugar (glucose) to give a boost of energy under stress
• The body may not be able to keep up with this extra glucose surge under chronic stress
• Chronic stress may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Digestive System

• The digestive system can be upset by hormones, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate
• Heartburn or acid reflux are more likely due to increased stomach acid
• Stress can increase the risk for ulcers and cause existing ulcers to act up
• Stress can affect the way food moves through the body, leading to diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea, vomiting, or a stomachache may develop

Muscles

• Muscles tense up to protect themselves from injury when stressed
• Muscles may not get the chance to relax under constant stress
• Tight muscles cause headaches, back and shoulder pain, and body aches
• An unhealthy cycle can result as exercising stops and pain medication is used for relief

Sex Drive

• Stress is exhausting for both the body and mind
• Desire is often lost when under constant stress
• Short-term stress may cause men to produce more testosterone, but this effect doesn’t last
• A man’s testosterone levels can drop if stress continues for a long time
• This can interfere with sperm production
• It can also cause erectile dysfunction or impotence
• Chronic stress may also increase the risk of infection for male reproductive organs like the prostate and testes
• Stress can affect the menstrual cycle for women
• It can lead to irregular, heavier, or more painful periods
• Chronic stress can also magnify the physical symptoms of menopause

Immune System

• Stress stimulates the immune system
• This stimulation can help avoid infections and heal wounds
• Over time, stress hormones will weaken the immune system
• They reduce the body’s response to foreign invaders
• People under chronic stress are more susceptible to viral illnesses like the flu and the common cold, as well as other infections
• Stress can also increase the time it takes to recover from an illness or injury