The Effects Of Stress On The Body: Symptoms You Should Recognize

The effects of stress on the body are more far-reaching than one might think. If tension and a negative mental state are present for long periods of time, it will seriously affect our health, and drive us into a trap like an insect’s cobweb. The cumulative effects of chronic stress take us by the grip, weaken us, and leave us with little or no energy to cope with the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

Stress is a buzzword that almost everyone uses when we are unable to achieve our goals; when the day is short and our list of responsibilities is very long. When our headaches become unbearable and the tasks feel endless. All of us, one way or another, have experienced that uncomfortable feeling. Stress is one of man’s worst enemies.

Behind these senses are internal realities, effects and consequences. We are talking about the effects that this disorder can have on our bodies as it penetrates us and affects many of our basic functions. One thing we need to keep in mind in the first place is that stress changes our brains. As stress becomes permanent in our lives, our memory deteriorates, certain structures deteriorate, and cognitive impairment increases. The risk is even greater when depression occurs.

This is nothing harmless. Stress is more than just a buzzword, it is a disorder. It is a reality that leaves traces in our lives and takes away vitality, energy and of course health.

The effects of stress on the body

The effects of stress on the body are controlled by a specific area of ​​the brain, the hypothalamus. This interesting area works almost like a radar. It is very sensitive to worries, to those mental nodes that are full of fear and anxiety. It interprets all these messages as a threat and immediately sends a warning message to our body and tells us that we need to escape.

When confronted with this alarming information, an incredibly complex reaction is activated in our body. Initially, the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex release stress hormones. These hormones contain very similar elements to cortisone. They are called glucocorticoids, the most important of which is cortisol.

Glucocorticoids have positive and negative sides. If they are released at a specific time and for a limited time, they will help us respond more flexibly. They help us do our best in every situation. However , if this release is continuous, if it happens daily, the effects of stress on the body are huge. Let’s look at some of them.

Respiratory and cardiac symptoms

Stress hormones directly affect both the respiratory tract and the cardiovascular system. We breathe faster so that our brains distribute oxygenated blood quickly throughout the body and thus are able to respond as quickly as possible to threats. This is undoubtedly a high risk as it causes tachycardia and high blood pressure.

Another phenomenon also occurs: the  blood vessels narrow to allow more oxygen to enter the muscles and thus we are able to “escape” from these supposed threats. This means that both our heart and brain receive less oxygen and nutrients.

Effects on the gastrointestinal tract

Another effect of stress in our body is in the digestive tract. It manifests itself in the following ways:

• Stomach ache
• Ulcers
• Digestive problems
• Reflux disease
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stress forces the liver to produce more blood sugar (glucose) so that you get more energy. This carries a higher risk of developing diabetes.
• Colitis and intestinal inflammation

Obesity or weight loss

This effect can vary a lot depending on the person. There are those who, when faced with stressful situations, increase their intake of high-calorie foods so that they can satisfy their emotional distress. On the other hand, other people may completely lose their appetite.

Hair loss

Stress-induced hair loss is quite common. Higher blood levels of cortisol weaken the hair follicles and progressive hair loss may occur. We may also suffer from sciatica, where hair loss may occur in smaller areas and local baldness may occur.

Changes in menstruation

Chronic stress usually has serious effects on our hormonal system. One of the most obvious symptoms in women is a very irregular menstrual cycle. Menstruation may be delayed, may not occur at all, or menstruation may be less frequent than usual.

Weaker immune system

The effects of stress on our bodies can have a profound effect on our immune system. Emotional stress weakens our defenses. If we do not handle it properly and are stressed for long periods of time, the resistance of the immune system will weaken and we will become more susceptible to various diseases. These diseases include:

• Flu and colds
• Herpes
• Allergies
• Skin problems
• Slower healing of wounds and injuries

In conclusion, it is clear that the effects of stress on our bodies are enormous. Sometimes we don’t see this link and resort to medications and other treatments without understanding where the symptoms are coming from, what really triggered it. Experts in the field say that people usually do not know how to recognize the symptoms.

Chronic stress can cause diabetes, insomnia, unknown allergies, or permanent headaches. There may be an invisible enemy lurking within us and we should consider all of these things.