Blame stress for just about everything Stress is the word very commonly used these days not only among
executives, but also common men. Heat attacks, gastroenteritis, hypertension, blood sugar, which are common symptoms in the society, occur due to stress we all agree. But, the recent study has included many other common ailments victims of stress.
The Observer magazine published by the Association for Psychological Science printed a recent article in which it is stated that stress is the root cause of almost all health
problems. The article came to this conclusion after going through research in psychology, neuroscience, medicine, and genetics.
Living organisms going through struggles for adapting and coping with changing environments, experience strain converting it into stress. Fear is another aspect that causes severe stress straining our mind, body, and brain instantly. Technically what happens is, when in fear or danger, chain reaction of signals evolves, and the adrenal glands starts producing hormones like
adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol. These hormones increase heart beats, glucose levels, and respiration in the blood insisting ‘fight or flight’ reaction. The hormone cortisol instructs some of the body processes like digestion, reproduction, physical growth, and immune system to slow down or shut down, since these responses seize lots of energy. The reverse begins as soon as the threat slips away, body’s stress thermostat bring the cortisol to normal level, and the body restarts its normal function. This is not that harmful if the threat perception is gone along with actual threat.
If the threat, danger or fear persists for invalid reasons, then the brain constantly feels stress though it is really not there. Due to this cortisol restrains to produce new neurons, increase growth of ‘amygdala’ (part of the brain that controls fear and emotional responses), and affects the ‘hippocampus’ (which helps to form new memories).
These brain changes reside at core of the link between stress, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD).
Researchers have concluded that due to chronic stress other ailments like gum disease, erectile dysfunction, diabetes, intestinal problems, growth problems, and even cancer can set inside the body.