Stress affects all systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems. Our bodies are well equipped to handle stress in small doses, but when that stress becomes long-term or chronic, it can have serious effects on your body.
The long-term effects of stress on the body affect more than just the mind. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), stress influences the body's major systems like respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous.
When stressed for a short time (acute stress), your heart rate rapidly increases, your heart muscle begins to pound harder, your blood vessels grow in width to allow more blood flow, and stress hormones are released throughout your body.
The immune system is directly disrupted by the endocrine response to stress. During these periods, individuals are at risk of poor immune responses to infections, wound recovery, and reduced immunity conferred from vaccinations.
(1). The interaction between stress, the autonomic nervous system, the immune system and the kynurenine pathway in the etiology of depression.
Physical stress stimulates the HPA and sympathetic nervous system.
Both your nervous system and endocrine system are active during your body's response to stress. This physical response is largely involuntary, or automatic. The stress response, which occurs regardless of the type of stressor, involves three stages: Alarm.
Studies suggest that the high levels of cortisol from long-term stress can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure. These are common risk factors for heart disease. This stress can also cause changes that promote the buildup of plaque deposits in the arteries.
Your respiratory and cardiovascular system work harder
The hormones that your body releases when you're under stress can cause you to breathe faster, your heart to beat faster, and your blood vessels to constrict. All of those reactions place additional pressure on your respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Respiratory system – Stress can make you breathe harder, which can cause problems for people with asthma or a lung disease, such as emphysema. In addition, stress can lead to hyperventilation (rapid breathing) and panic attacks in individuals prone to panic attacks.
Stress affects all systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems.
Anxiety, depression or mood changes
Beyond the physical effects, stress can also have a big impact on your mental health. “Studies have shown that unmanaged stress can trigger anxiety, depression, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritability,” says Dr.
Your sympathetic nervous system is a network of nerves that helps your body activate its “fight-or-flight” response. This system's activity increases when you're stressed, in danger or physically active.
Stress causes your muscles to contract, restricting blood flow. With chronic stress, your musculoskeletal system is in a more permanent state of constriction. Over time, constant muscle tension can cause injury and chronic pain, including back and neck pain, and may even lead to secondary disorders like migraines.
Stress can cause an imbalance of neural circuitry subserving cognition, decision making, anxiety and mood that can increase or decrease expression of those behaviors and behavioral states. This imbalance, in turn, affects systemic physiology via neuroendocrine, autonomic, immune and metabolic mediators.
When we encounter a stressor, our brain and body respond by triggering a series of chemical reactions that prepare us to engage with or run away from the stressor. Two hormones that we release are adrenaline, which prepares muscles for exertion, and cortisol, which regulates bodily functions.
The emptying of the stomach is delayed, which can lead to a stomachache, indigestion, heartburn and nausea.” As the stomach is slowing down, stress causes increased motor function in the large intestine. So at the same time that you're stressed, you might experience bowel urgency or diarrhea.
Signs of stress on the integumentary system (skin and hair)
When your body produces more stress hormones, it causes an increase in oil production. Your skin becomes more sensitive and oily, which over time can cause acne. Hair loss can also be a physical symptom of stress.
Research has indicated high stress levels may lead to elevated blood pressure, which can cause poor circulation as well.
Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain's use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues. Cortisol also curbs functions that would be nonessential or harmful in a fight-or-flight situation.
The stress process consists of four stages: (1) a demand (which can be physical, psychological, or cognitive); (2) appraisal of the demand and of the available resources and capability to deal with the demand; (3) a negative response to the cognitive appraisal of the demand and the resources with various levels of ...
It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body's reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But when stress lasts for a long time, it may harm your health.
Studies have found many health problems related to stress. Stress seems to worsen or increase the risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma.