The Effect that Stress has on your Health

[Janice]

http://www.regardingme.com/effects-stress-a-19.html

The Effects of Stress

Stress has far-reaching consequences to the breakdown of the human body. It goes beyond simply depleting your C and B vitamins; stress breaks down your glands and knocks out your immune system.

Dr. Alfred Coodley of the University of Southern California Medical School says that stress “is the most widespread medical problem in America today. It’s a major contributing factor in 100 percent of diseases.”

Stress can knock out your immune system. Stress can make you sick by wreaking havoc on your immune system, allowing disease to strike much more easily. “Stress causes the white blood cells of the immune system to be greatly altered, and this allows sickness to set in,” says Dr. Robert S. Brown, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Hans Selye won the Nobel Prize for his research on what stress does to the human body (Selye, H., The Stress of Life, McGraw-Hill, New York, N.Y. / Selye, H., Canadian Med. Assn. J. 61, 553).

Dr. Selye did extensive experimental work with rats that had been subjected to stress. The rats were subjected to many kinds of stress that we, as humans, face every day: too much heat, cold, frustration, hunger, fatigue, and unpleasant situations. In each instance, there was a control group not subjected to these stresses. When both groups were autopsied, the comparisons were startling.


Glandular Breakdown

The adrenals and thymus glands, which help control the body, as well as the stomach linings of the rats exposed to undue stress, were almost unrecognizable. These organs were gorged with blood, misshapen, enlarged, and diseased. In the control group (those not exposed to undue stress), the same organs were smooth and healthy. The changes in the rats exposed to stress had not been caused by bacteria, virus, poison, or disease, but by emotions that had produced similar ravaging effects.

The thymus and adrenal glands are two very important parts of the human immune system. Most people are being confronted with an incredible number of stresses that were unknown a hundred and fifty years ago.

When a breakdown of the immune system occurs, it can lead to a range of illnesses that stretches from a common cold to cancer.


Disease

Dr. Selye believes that stress is the most common cause of disease. This is understandable, as we begin to examine the variety of daily stresses to which we are exposed. If the alarm goes off late, if we miss a bus, if the mortgage comes due, if we have an argument with someone, if we overwork and become overtired, if we hear bad news, if we cut our finger, if the car battery goes dead, if a woman gets a run in her stocking? All of these situations are ones that produce stress.

When organs are disturbed in their functions by stress, they cannot keep the body running smoothly. Dr. Selye says that stress can upset the glandular system and lead to arthritis, blood pressure, diabetes, coronaries, ulcers, allergies, kidney trouble, and a host of other conditions. Yet, the owner rarely suspects the cause. At first, the body can bounce back. However, if pressured too far, and too long, irreparable damage may occur. Dr. Selye believes that the degenerative or “aging” disease may also result from the cumulative effects of stress.

[Myles]

I definitely believe this to be true.

School puts a lot of pressure on me. Or perhaps it is myself that causes this stress because I want to be perfect at everything I do. At times I neglect my health (sleep, exercise or eating) to study, finish projects.

However, this semester has been much better for me. I don't waste time worrying some much, just get things done. If it isn't right, all well, I tried my best. I go to the gym regularly and tend to follow a consistent sleep pattern now. Since then my complexion has improved tremendously, no more acne. I feel better about myself and feel I'm capable of succeeding.

[AB]

Totally agree, stress can cause so many health problems. Its hard to avoid it though.

[Janice]

There's a strong connection to stress and health, no doubt about it. I had a serious of consecutive losses of loved ones within 18 months, that hit me like a ton of bricks. My health has taken a hit. I suppose there's no way of knowing if I'd have health problems, had all that not happened and caused me so much emotional anguish. Something tells me no.

[AB]

^ Hope your health is improving.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by annball1957

^ Hope your health is improving.

Thank you. I'm feeling pretty good these days. I'm a little afraid of the change in weather. New England winters, not good for this neck arthritis. Hopefully, it will be okay.

[Ireneparalegal]

OMG Janice, I feel for you with those winters. Cold weather really does a job on back pain and I am sure with your constant neck pain AND THOSE EAST COAST WINTERS it must be hell on you.

[dawsongirl]

Stress/an Anxiety Disorder ruined my digestive system more than it already was. I became somewhat lactose intolerant.

I'm a perfectionist, so I stress myself out a lot. Who knows what I'm doing to myself. I sleep well though...I just don't sleep enough. Which is why I currently have a cold. Grrrrr.

[OH Nuts!]

Stress really makes me CRAZY. So when I start feeling overwhelmed, I just think what MUST absolutely be done--and luckily it's just a sm. portion of what's on the plate.

[Max Whittaker]

When I was a dish washer I was unbelievably stressed out. There was one man who would bully me. There were times when he nearly pushed me over an edge I had hoped I'd never see...

I could feel the tension build. It was all in my shoulders. I can't imagine what would have happened if I let that continue. Thank God that time of my life is over.

[freshprinceofLA]

WOW I always knew stress caused heath problems but not some of the health problems listed above (especially cancer )

[Stormtracker TF]

I'm probably going to die when I'm like 40 cause of this.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by freshprinceofLA

WOW I always knew stress caused heath problems but not some of the health problems listed above (especially cancer )

That caught my eye too. Prolonged stress can cause any disease to strike. It can also makes existing medical conditions worse.

[dawsongirl]

Originally Posted by Stormtracker TF

I'm probably going to die when I'm like 40 cause of this.

Me too.