Stress manifests itself when a person experiences excessive levels of emotional or mental stress. Stress is a dangerous psychological condition that can harm both the mind and the body. He can kill you, and this is no exaggeration. This fact, and the almost universal presence of stress in everyday life, does not bode well for individual and public health.
Some statistics
Consider some disturbing statistics related to the impact of stress on human health:
77% of people regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress;
73% of people regularly experience psychological symptoms caused by stress;
33% of people feel they are living with extreme stress;
48% of people wake up at night due to stress;
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48% of people believe that stress has a negative impact on their personal and professional life.
The human body consists of 78 organs, which are divided into 13 "large" systems. Of all the organs, five are considered vital: the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Why do we mention this? Because stress negatively affects all organs, in particular the vital ones.
In this article, we'll look at the effects of stress on eight major organs and systems. We'll also walk you through some effective ways to relieve stress.
1. Cardiovascular system
It is made up of the heart and blood vessels and is one of the main targets for chronic stress. Cardiovascular disease causes 610,000 deaths each year in the United States alone. It is the leading cause of death among men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Many studies continue to link cardiovascular disease and stress. Stress, especially when combined with other risky behaviors (eg, smoking, alcohol abuse), is believed to dramatically increase the risk of developing these conditions.
2. Nervous system
The brain and spinal cord are central divisions of the nervous system. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a direct role in the physical response to stress. It is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic.
Stress starts and ends in this system, within the brain. It initiates a fight-or-flight response and releases stress hormones that are distributed throughout the body, causing rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, and dilated blood vessels in addition to other side effects. This means that chronic stress is bad for the brain.
3. Respiratory system
The bronchi, larynx, lungs, nasopharynx, trachea are parts of the respiratory system. The brain's response to stress - fight or flight - causes the person to have difficulty breathing, sometimes to the point where they hyperventilate.
Panic attacks are sudden feelings of acute anxiety. It is a general health condition in patients with chronic stress.
4. Musculoskeletal system
Our bones, joints and muscles make up the musculoskeletal system. Stress makes our body tense. Chronic stress leads to the fact that all muscles in the body are in a more or less constant state of alertness. In this condition, chronic diseases and musculoskeletal disorders can manifest themselves.
5. Reproductive system
Our reproductive system includes the gonads, accessory organs, genitals, mammary glands, and reproductive ducts.
In both men and women, the reproductive system is influenced by the nervous system. In men, the unequal system produces testosterone and activates the sympathetic nervous system to induce arousal. In the case of women, stress negatively affects a number of functions: menstruation, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause, and sexual desire.
During stress, the brain produces cortisol, which over a period of time can disrupt the normal function of anatomical reproductive components.
6. Endocrine system
The adrenal glands, hypothalamus, pancreas, parathyroid gland, pineal gland, pituitary gland, ovaries, testes, and thymus make up the endocrine system.
The brain initiates the release of stress hormones - cortisol and adrenaline - through the hypothalamus. The adrenal glands, located near the kidneys, produce cortisol and adrenaline. This increases the body's awareness of stress.
The liver produces glucose during the above process, which usually provides assistance to the body. However, this excess blood sugar can lead to type 2 diabetes as well as obesity. Stress management is important for maintaining normal blood sugar levels and possibly reducing the risk of developing diabetes in certain situations.
7. Integumentary system
This system includes hair, nails, and skin. The integumentary system plays an important role in maintaining balance in the body, including protection, temperature regulation, sensory intake, biochemical synthesis and absorption of nutrients.
If the integumentary system is functioning properly, then other internal systems are safe. However, stress destroys its systematic work, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the skin, its inelasticity, destabilization of glandular functions, as well as impaired tissue repair.
8. Digestive system
The digestive system includes the main organs - the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, as well as auxiliary - the rectum, appendix, gallbladder and pancreas.
Consuming large amounts of food, alcohol and nicotine can lead to acid reflux or heartburn, a common problem in people with chronic stress. Stress also increases the sensitivity of the stomach, which can worsen the symptoms mentioned above.
Chronic stress can lead to severe abdominal pain, ulcers, and other medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Ways to deal with stress
Teaching people how to properly manage stress is essential to prevent and treat any real or potential illness. Below are some effective methods for reducing stress levels.
1. Lifestyle Changes: Reducing stress levels and making positive changes in life are inseparable. Improving overall health and ability to deal with stress is often accomplished through regular exercise, a well-balanced diet, and avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.
2. Relaxation techniques: acupuncture, deep breathing, meditation, muscle relaxation, massage.
3. Herbal medicines: aromatherapy, the consumption of valerian, a herb with sedative properties, and the use of kava, a root that has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress.
Note: Herbal treatments are not universally tolerated by everyone, depending on the medical history, therefore supplements, herbs and other homeopathic medicines taken can cause serious side effects. Before starting such treatment, it is advisable to consult with your doctor or schedule a medical examination.
Anna Pismenna