The Effects Of Stress On The Body – Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of

The effects of stress on the body are more serious than you might think. If tensions and a negative state of mind persist for extended periods, they will seriously affect our health and trap us like an insect in a cobweb.

The cumulative effects of chronic stress grip us, weaken us and give us no or little energy to manage our daily lives. Stress is a buzzword that almost everyone uses when they find it impossible to achieve their goals; when the day is short and our to-do list is long; when our headaches become unbearable and the tasks never seem to end.

We have all experienced this unpleasant feeling in one way or another. Stress is one of man’s worst enemies.

Behind these feelings are inner realities, effects and consequences. We talk about the impact this disorder has on the body when it invades us and affects many of our basic functions.

One fact we must keep in mind is that stress changes the brain. When stress becomes a permanent feature of our lives, memory, certain structures and our cognitive abilities deteriorate. We are even at higher risk of developing depression.

We are not talking about anything harmless. Stress is more than just a buzzword – it’s a disease. It is a reality that leaves an imprint in our lives and takes away from us our vitality, energy and of course health.

The effects of stress on the body are controlled by a specific area in it – the hypothalamus. This interesting region acts almost like a radar. It is very sensitive to anxiety, to the mental knots of fear and anxiety. It interprets all these messages as a threat and immediately issues a warning to the body telling it to flee.

When we are faced with this alarming information, the body triggers a very complex response. To begin with  , the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex release stress hormones. These hormones contain substances similar to cortisone. They are called glucocorticoids, the most important of which is cortisol.

Glucocorticoids have a positive and a negative side. If they are released at specific times and for a limited time, they can help us respond in a more flexible way. They help us to perform at our best in a given situation. But  if the release continues day after day, the effects of stress on the body will be incredible. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Stress hormones have a direct effect on the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. We breathe faster in an attempt by the brain to quickly distribute oxygen-rich blood to the body, and thus be able to react as quickly as possible to any threats. This is undoubtedly a major risk as it leads to tachycardia and hypertension.

Another phenomenon also occurs: the  blood vessels narrow to give more oxygen to the muscles, so that we can “escape” from the perceived threat. This means that both our heart and our brain receive less oxygen and nutrients.

Another effect of stress on the body occurs in the digestive system. This gives rise to:

• Stomach pain
• Emergence of stomach ulcers
• Digestive problems
• Reflux
• Diarrhea and constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stress forces the liver to produce more blood sugar (glucose)  to get more energy. This produces a higher risk of diabetes.
• Colitis and intestinal inflammation.

This effect can vary from person to person. There are those who increase their intake of high-calorie foods when faced with stressful situations. Others instead completely lose their appetite.

Hair loss due to stress is common. Elevated levels of cortisol in the blood weaken the hair follicles, after which progressive hair loss can take place. We can also suffer from  alopecia areata,  where people suffer from hair loss in smaller areas.

Chronic stress has serious effects on our hormonal system. One of the most obvious symptoms in women is the onset of very irregular menstrual cycles. Their period may be late, never come or have less flow than normal.

The effects of stress on the body can seriously affect the immune system. Emotional stress undermines our defenses. If we do not deal with it properly, the response from our immune system can weaken and make us more vulnerable to various conditions.

Among these we find:

• Flu and cold
• Herpes
• Allergies
• Skin condition
• Slower healing process of wounds or injuries.

It is obvious that the effects of stress on our bodies are very great. Sometimes we can not see this connection, why we turn to drugs and other treatments, without understanding where our symptoms come from. Experts in this field say that people generally do not know how to identify the symptoms.

Chronic stress can cause diabetes, insomnia or an unknown allergy that gives rise to our constant headaches. There may be an unknown enemy within us, and it would be good if we had that in mind.