Physical Effects of Stress

We live in a stressful time is an understatement in time of Coronavirus pandemic. With all the news about people dying and lack of cure, how everyone is potentially at risk, or risking to endanger others, all we can do is basically stay at home. Or in case we must go out in the short time-slots appointed by the Government, practice social distancing, wear disposable masks and surgical gloves. On top of everything no one on the planet knows, how or when all this will get resolved. See now what I mean that stress at the moment is an understatement? This is a whole new level of stress. A whole new level of inevitability and no control. 

In light of living with this constant stress, let's tackle the physical effects it can do to our bodies.

Central nervous system and endocrine system

Under stress hypothalamus tells your adrenal glands to release stress hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline (epinephrine) increases heart rate, elevates blood pressure, expands the air passages in your lungs and boosts energy supplies. Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) makes you more responsive in terms of being more aware, awake and focused and shifts blood flow from the skin to more essential areas like the muscles. Cortisol (or the steroid hormone) increases sugar (glucose) levels, helps maintain fluid balance and because most bodily cells have cortisol receptors increases tissue repair.

However, when under constant stress, these hormones which take from few hours to several days to go back to normal are now constantly secreting. And this can lead to serious health issues like: high blood pressure, tachycardia, difficulty breathing, muscle tension, high sugar levels, weight gain, tiredness, brain fog and suppressed immune system at the least.

Digestive system

Stress blocks your body from releasing insulin, hormone made by the pancreas that causes the liver to take sugar out of the bloodstream and store it for future use. On top of it the liver itself, releases extra glucose in the bloodstream, which is body’s way to ensure that there is enough energy available momentarily to fight whatever danger comes our way. However, if under prolonged period of stress, the glucose will keep piling up in your blood, which can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Moreover, have you heard the saying that your gut is your second brain? It comes from the fact that apart from your gut being controlled by your central nervous system and spinal cord it also has its own system of nerves in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract that regulate the digestive processes. Therefore, when stress activates your fight-or-flight response, it also affects your digestive system, from the esophagus to the rectum. Under prolonged stress, people can experience esophagus spasms and difficulty swallowing, increased stomach acids that can lead to heartburn or acid reflux, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, stomach crumps, diarrhea or constipation.

Respiratory and cardiovascular system 

When under prolonged stress, we can experience irregular respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath and constrictions of the airways, which can make it even more difficult to breathe for people with preexisting respiratory conditions such as asthma. But also, rapid breathing, in order more oxygen to get in our blood.

On the other side, our heart contracts stronger and faster under stress, to push oxygen-rich blood quicker through the blood vessels. And if this goes on for prolonged period of time it can take a toll on the heart and coronary arteries. Moreover, combined with the stress hormones signaling our blood vessels to constrict and divert more oxygen to our muscles raises our blood pressure and puts us at risk for developing hypertension, stroke or heart attack.

Musculoskeletal system

When under stress, muscles tend to immediately tense up, almost as a reflex, and put us in a state of readiness to guard from injury and pain. But, if we are constantly under stress that means our muscles are constantly constricted and do not get to relax, which can lead to series of problems such as headaches, associated with chronic muscle tension in the area of the shoulders, neck and head, back pains and all sorts of musculoskeletal pains.

The cure for musculoskeletal pains related to chronic stress is to have moderate physical or stress-relieving activities, especially because stress-related musculoskeletal conditions can interfere with our daily functioning.

Reproductive system

Female

Chronic stress has serious effects on female reproductive system. It can lead to absent or irregular menstrual cycles, as well as changes in the length of cycles, but also more heavy or painful periods. It can negatively impact a woman’s ability to conceive, complicate pregnancy or postpartum adjustment. Stress can make the premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is already stressful and problematic for many women, even more difficult, especially the mood swings, irritation, fluid retention and bloating. If in menopause or pre-menopause, constant stress can additionally complicate the intensity of the symptoms or even set an early menopause. 

Male

Chronic stress in males can result in decline in sex drive, erectile dysfunction or impotence and it can negatively impact sperm production and sperm maturation, thus making conceiving more difficult for couples.

To sum up, being under constant stress can rack havoc in our bodies and disrupt the normal functioning of the body systems, with possible fatal outcome if not addressed promptly and appropriately. And I know that in exceptional conditions like we are experiencing at the moment, relaxing can be difficult if not seemingly impossible for some people. But, all of us must try and employ the myriads of relaxation techniques available out there. It is seminal to find what works for you and practice it. I cannot stress, pun intended, how important to relieve stress is at times like this.