Stress physiologically involved with stress hormone secretion and autonomic nervous system disturbances. We are living in such a materialistic world where avoiding stress is next to impossible. Particularly the type A personality persons with immense work and peer pressure stress is bound to affect their health. When the physical or emotional component of stress exceeds the mental ability it manifests as mental disorders.
Physiology in stress
Stress releases hormone like cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol also known as stress hormone. It regulates the cellular metabolism, vital functions like blood pressure, blood sugar and sleep wake cycle. Adrenaline responds to stress in “Fight or Flight response”. It responds by increasing the heart rate and cardiac output as a compensatory mechanism.
Stress related disorders
Acute or chronic stress disturbs our bodily response exacerbating certain health conditions. They cause imbalance in the internal milieu having deleterious effects body metabolism. The detrimental effects of aggravating health conditions are discussed below.
- Heart disease- Stress related hormonal imbalance cause increase in heart rate, blood pressure aggravating the existing conditions. It also releases triglycerides exacerbating the thromboembolism and heart attacks. Now a days due to intense pressure, disturbance in sleep wake cycle and life style factors, young age heart attack are on the rising trend.
- Is there any link between stress and type-2 Diabetes? Yes, definitely there is positive correlation between stress and type 2 diabetes. The stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline increase the blood sugar level.
- Headache or Migraine- It aggravates tension type headache and migraine.
- Depression- Stress aggravates depression and vice versa.
- Gastrointestinal disorders- Acid peptic disorders get worsened in stress. Heart burn or abdominal pain is directly linked to acid secretion and stress hormone. Stress may cause precipitation of gastritis, duodenal ulcer and gastric erosion or bleeding. They complicate the situation resulting chronic peptic ulcer disease with comorbidities.
- Obesity- It is related to abdominal fat deposition related to cortisol. Cortisol mediates alteration in cellular metabolism and blood sugar.
- Mental disorders- Physical or emotional stressors may manifest as many neuropsychiatric disorders as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD) and psychosis.
- Relaxation exercises- Make a habit of doing regular exercises for a few minutes as it releases endorphins which elevates our mood. Yoga or mind healing exercises have proven beneficial role. Deep breathing is a stimulus to healthy mind.
- Listening to music- Music has positive vibes . A relaxed mind can only beat the stress.
- Sharing the problems with family or friends- When stress piles up, it causes neuropsychiatric symptoms further aggravating the problem. Being talkative only helps figuring out a solution to the problem and tackling the situation.
- Keeping a work life balance- Spending time with family releases half burden. Taking a regular healthy diet without skipping meals avoids acid peptic disorder which is a main culprit in the vicious cycle of gastritis- stress related disorders.
