Surprising Ways Stress Can Affect Your Whole Body

Health

By Maeghan Dolph, Fox News

Stress, often thought of as a mental or emotional response, can have surprising and profound effects on the entire body.

While it is natural to associate stress with psychological tension, it is important to recognize its physical repercussions.

In response to stress, our body experiences changes in hormonal and chemical secretions. Most of these secretions are produced by the adrenal gland, a small organ located at the top of the kidneys.

Hormones released by this gland serve multiple functions, including triggering the fight-or-flight response, regulating metabolic processes such as blood sugar, managing salt-water balance, and facilitating pregnancy.

Although these hormones can save lives in moderation, their prolonged presence can cause significant adverse effects.

Cortisol, the main stress hormone, functions primarily to inhibit processes that can hinder the body’s fight-or-flight response. To be more precise, it changes the way the immune system responds and obstructs the proper functioning of the digestive, reproductive and growth-related systems.

Stress is a complex enemy that can negatively impact many aspects of your health. This can trigger a range of digestive problems, from stomach upset and indigestion to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Stress can also disrupt your eating habits, causing episodes of overeating or undereating, which can contribute to fluctuations in body weight.

Beyond its digestive implications, stress can manifest itself in your skin, exacerbating pathologies such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. Additionally, it can trigger allergic reactions, often leading to uncomfortable skin problems like hives.

The impact of chronic stress extends even further and includes your cardiovascular health. It is associated with a high risk of heart disease, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Stress hormones, particularly cortisol, have the ability to elevate blood pressure and promote inflammation of blood vessels.

For women, stress causes a reduction in estrogen and progesterone production while increasing cortisol levels. This particular mixture frequently leads to irregular and uncomfortable menstrual cycles and can have detrimental effects on emotional well-being and libido.

In men, stress leads to a drop in testosterone levels and a rise in cortisol, which then results in a feeling of fatigue and a notable reduction in sexual desire.

When it comes to lifestyle interventions, physical activity is a top recommendation.

Exercise has been shown to be the most effective way to alleviate stress and reduce cortisol levels.

Avoid responding to non-urgent emails and phone calls.

Consider taking breaks or practicing relaxation techniques to effectively manage stress.

Eating a balanced, nutritious diet and avoiding smoking, alcohol, or recreational drug use are fundamental steps to reducing stress.

Nonetheless, it is essential to keep in mind that if you feel that stress is having a substantial impact on your overall health and quality of life, it is wise to seek advice from a medical professional.

Drawing on your medical history and unique situation, a healthcare expert can provide personalized advice and solutions.

Practicing stress management techniques such as meditation and exercise, and seeking help from professionals, can help reduce these surprising and often harmful effects on the body.