DOES STRESS LEAD TO CHRONIC DISEASE?
Stress, in its various forms, has become an omnipresent situation of modern life. From the
pressures of work and relationships to the constant bombardment of information in today's digital
age, individuals are fighting with stressors that spread every aspect of their existence. While
stress is often perceived as a temporary inconvenience, its effects extend far beyond momentary
discomfort, deeply influencing our physical and mental well-being.
One significant consequence of chronic stress is its profound impact on the development and
progression of chronic diseases.
Stress is a worldwide challenge of modern life that has gathered increasing attention for its
potential impact on health. Acute stress(Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a mental health problem
that can occur in the first month after a traumatic event. ) is a natural response to challenging
situations while chronic stress, characterized by prolonged activation of the body's stress
response systems, poses significant health risks. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2016
Jan;44(1):52-6
Certainly, stress can significantly impact chronic disease in various ways as stated below;
1.
Cardiovascular health:
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.
The relationship between stress and cardiovascular health is well-established. With regards to the
cardiovascular system, acute stress causes:
A. An increase in heart rate; here the body releases a fight hormone called adrenaline which
makes the heart beat faster and as a result there is elevated blood pressure as a way of
helping the body to cope up with the situation. With time the heart will develop a
condition called hyper trophic cardiomyopathy where the heart will not be able to supply
enough blood to different parts of the body leading to symptoms like difficulty in
breathing, palpitations, stroke among others.
B. Narrowing/ Rapture of heart arteries; coronary artery disease is a condition where heart
arteries narrow or rapture and prevent continuous flow of blood whereas non obstructive
coronary artery disease raptures the walls of arteries thus preventing further supply of
blood to the heart. The artery walls rapture due to elevated blood pressure. This later
causes heart attack since the heart is not getting enough supply of blood and oxygen.
Additionally, stress-related behaviors like smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity further
compound the cardiovascular risk.
Impact on the Immune System:
Chronic stress weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and
diseases. Research suggests that stress can suppress immune function, impairing the body's
ability to defend against pathogens. Moreover, chronic inflammation, driven by stress-induced
immune dysregulation, has been linked to the development of autoimmune disorders and other
chronic inflammatory conditions; to say; diabetes mellifluous, arthritis, lupus among others.
. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2017;38:176-179
Behavioral factors:
Stress can also impact our behaviors and lifestyle choices. When we are stressed, we may
engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor
diet, or lack of physical activity. These behaviors can contribute to the development of chronic
diseases over time.
EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:
- Causes liver damage, including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
- Contributes to gastrointestinal problems like gastritis, ulcers, and pancreatitis.
- Increases the risk of certain cancers, such as liver, breast, mouth, throat, esophageal, and
colorectal cancers.
- Can lead to cardiovascular complications, including high blood pressure and heart disease.
EFFECTS OF PROLONGED SMOKING:
- Damages the respiratory system, leading to chronic coughing, reduced lung function, and
increased risk of respiratory infections and lung cancer.
- Strains the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and
stroke.
- Is a leading cause of various types of cancer, including lung, mouth, throat, esophageal,
pancreatic, bladder, kidney, and cervical cancers.
Physiology Responses to Stress:
Chronic stress triggers a cascade of physiological responses, including the release of stress
hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones, essential for survival in short-term
stressful situations, can have detrimental effects when continuously elevated. Prolonged
exposure to stress hormones can disrupt various bodily systems, including the immune,
cardiovascular, and metabolic systems.Br Med J. 1950 Jun 17;1(4667):1383-92
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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2018 Sep;21(5):389-402. [PubMed]