Effect of Stress
Stressis the body’s response to a situation. It is typically a change in the environment that requires one’s body to react and adjust. These changes evoke physical, mental and emotional reactions in a person. Short-termstresswill have no significant impact on the body. Long-term stress may cause various issues. The diseases that often arise due to long-standing stress are called psychosomatic diseases.
Thehuman bodycan feel stress and react to it. There are two types of stress:
- 积极压力:It is positive stress. For example, the body might feel eustress when a person gets a job promotion or given greater responsibilities.
- Distress:It is negative stress that a person faces when exposed to continuous challenges without relief or relaxation between challenges. Distress can cause physical symptoms, such as
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
- Elevatedblood pressure
- Chest pain
- Problems sleeping
- Palpitations
The following are the effects of stress on the body:
- Muscles and joints: According to American Psychological Association, stress can tense the muscle. Stress can cause
- Pain
- Tightness
- Soreness in the muscle
- Muscle spasm
- Trismus (locked jaw)
- Additionally, stress can also exacerbate the symptoms of
- 心andlungs:Stress can have a significant effect on the heart. For example, when trying hard to meet a deadline at work, the heart rate can increase considerably. Stress can promote the release of the hormone cortisol. Too much cortisol can worsen any heart or lung conditions, including
- 心disease
- 心rhythm abnormalities
- High blood pressure
- Asthma
- Skin and hair:Stress can negatively impact skin and hair, causing
- Besides, stress can also worsen conditions, such as
- Shoulders, head and jaw: Stress can trigger:
- Immune system:Stress can lower the body’s immune system. Adepressedimmune system can result in colds andflu. It can also aggravate autoimmune conditions, such aslupusandinflammatory bowel disease.
- 我ntal health:Stress can often set off
- Stress may also attribute to
- Eating poorly
- Lack of interest in any activities
- Gastrointestinal system:Stress can interfere with the brain-gut communication and may trigger
- Bloating
- Pain
- Discomfort in the abdomen
- Nausea
- Diarrheaorconstipation
- 心burn
- Stress negatively influences the gut bacteria and can result in variousdigestionissues. Long-term stress can lead toirritable bowel syndrome.
- Obesity: Excessive cortisol release can lead to overeating or binges. As a result, the body may store fat leading to obesity.
- Reproductive problems: Stress can result in the following issues:
- Less sexual desire
- Infertilityissues
- Infections in the reproductive organs
- Irregular and painful menses
- Worsen the symptoms ofpostmenopausalsyndrome
- Hormonal imbalances
References
WebMD. Stress Symptoms. https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-on-the-body
American Psychological Association. Stress Effects on the Body. November 1, 2018. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body
American Psychological Association. Stress Effects on the Body. November 1, 2018. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body
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