What effect can prolonged stress have on your immune system?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the impact of prolonged stress on the immune system. It seeks information on how ongoing stress can affect the body's defense mechanisms and what physiological changes might occur as a result.
Answer
Prolonged stress compromises the immune response.
Prolonged stress can lead to the immune system becoming resistant, an accumulation of stress hormones, and increased production of inflammatory cytokines, which compromise the immune response.
Answer for screen readers
Prolonged stress can lead to the immune system becoming resistant, an accumulation of stress hormones, and increased production of inflammatory cytokines, which compromise the immune response.
More Information
Prolonged stress can elevate cortisol levels leading to immune resistance, accumulation of stress hormones, and increased inflammatory markers, making the body more susceptible to infections and diseases.
Tips
One common mistake is assuming short-term and long-term stress have the same impact on immunity. Short-term stress can sometimes boost the immune system, while prolonged stress suppresses it.
Sources
- The web page with info on - Example Source - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Effects of stress on immune function: the good, the bad ... - PubMed - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- How Does Stress Impact the Immune System? - Verywell Mind - verywellmind.com
