Stress Problems and the Immune System
Introduction:
A panel of experts speaking at Experimental Biology 2004 reports on new understandings of the mechanisms and pathways through which the body's hormonal response to stress changes immune system function and impacts vulnerability, onset and exacerbation of mental and physical diseases, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, depression, contagious diseases, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Main Content:
Stress may be defined as "a state of physiological imbalance resulting from the difference between situational demand and the person's capability to meet those demands."
Stress can be good or bad. Stress can be good when the situation offers an opportunity for an individual to gain something. It acts as a inspiration for peak performance. Stress can be adverse when an individual encounters social, actual, business and emotional problems.
Fast Facts:
"Excessive pressure, either actual or emotional, has a damaging effect on the optimal performing of the defense systems. It is like the card that finally tips the balance on the house of cards, bringing everything failing down.
An immune system that is top in operating order will only be minimally affected by small causes of stress, yet that same system can be toppled by big causes of stress such as the death of a family member. On the other hand, even small causes of stress can be too much for a weakened immune system. "The Immune System Cure" Stress has exceeded the common cold as the most common health problem in North America according to many physicians.
As adrenal glands become weary, the production of cortisol and other change in hormone levels will fall. 'Abnormal' amounts of cortisol will allow defense systems tissues circulation in excess.
Causes of Stress Big and Small:
Big causes of pressure are pretty easy to recognize like job loss, illness and loss of life of a family member. But, smaller causes of pressure acquire and are things like noise, populated places, driving, school, feeling stuck, trying to be perfect, loathing your job, a round of the flu; the list is almost unlimited. Individuals feel pressure in a different way. It's very individual. What causes pressure to one might not bother someone else at all. Stress has been called the number one worldwide wellness factor causing major condition.
When stress is excessive, prolonged and serious, it actually breaks down our body's defense mechanism and leaves us open and vulnerable to disease and illness. You may find that you get cold more often, or you come down with the flu.
If your stress levels remain high, you may end up with a serious illness, like cardiovascular condition or melanoma. The quality, intensity and length of the stress, all determine the impact, the stress will have on your body.
But, there is another factor. Some people can manage a lot of pressure without consequences--while others get sick, even when their stresses are not that bad.
What's the difference? It seems that your capability to cope up with pressure and rest are even more important than the level of your pressure. How pressure impacts the immune system is definitely dependent on your capability to relax and manage pressure & anxiety.
Stress and the immune system are definitely connected. So, it is practical to learn how to handle stress so that you will not have to deal with sickness, condition or even auto-immune diseases:
A panel of experts speaking at Experimental Biology 2004 reports on new understandings of the mechanisms and pathways through which the body's hormonal response to stress changes immune system function and impacts vulnerability, onset and exacerbation of mental and physical diseases, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, depression, contagious diseases, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Main Content:
Stress may be defined as "a state of physiological imbalance resulting from the difference between situational demand and the person's capability to meet those demands."
Stress can be good or bad. Stress can be good when the situation offers an opportunity for an individual to gain something. It acts as a inspiration for peak performance. Stress can be adverse when an individual encounters social, actual, business and emotional problems.
Fast Facts:
- People like to ignore it but stress is a big deal. In our society it can be undeniable. Stress can come from both physical and emotional sources. Sickness is traumatic for example.
Stress affects the hormone cortisol produced by the adrenal glands. - In small quantities cortisol is helpful. It's anti-inflammatory, speeds tissue repair and controls excess immune cell production.
- Continued pressure increases cortisol stages. Cortisol decreases the production of "good" prostaglandins. Prostaglandins (localized hormone like cellular messengers) are resulting from fat like fish oil. "Good" prostaglandins support immune mechanism, enlarge veins, restrict "thick" blood veins and are anti-inflammatory.
- During a period of raised cortisol, immune system cells disappear from the blood. The part of the immune system, which are more sensitive tend to increased cortisol levels are the Natural Killer Cells.
"Excessive pressure, either actual or emotional, has a damaging effect on the optimal performing of the defense systems. It is like the card that finally tips the balance on the house of cards, bringing everything failing down.
An immune system that is top in operating order will only be minimally affected by small causes of stress, yet that same system can be toppled by big causes of stress such as the death of a family member. On the other hand, even small causes of stress can be too much for a weakened immune system. "The Immune System Cure" Stress has exceeded the common cold as the most common health problem in North America according to many physicians.
As adrenal glands become weary, the production of cortisol and other change in hormone levels will fall. 'Abnormal' amounts of cortisol will allow defense systems tissues circulation in excess.
Causes of Stress Big and Small:
Big causes of pressure are pretty easy to recognize like job loss, illness and loss of life of a family member. But, smaller causes of pressure acquire and are things like noise, populated places, driving, school, feeling stuck, trying to be perfect, loathing your job, a round of the flu; the list is almost unlimited. Individuals feel pressure in a different way. It's very individual. What causes pressure to one might not bother someone else at all. Stress has been called the number one worldwide wellness factor causing major condition.
When stress is excessive, prolonged and serious, it actually breaks down our body's defense mechanism and leaves us open and vulnerable to disease and illness. You may find that you get cold more often, or you come down with the flu.
If your stress levels remain high, you may end up with a serious illness, like cardiovascular condition or melanoma. The quality, intensity and length of the stress, all determine the impact, the stress will have on your body.
But, there is another factor. Some people can manage a lot of pressure without consequences--while others get sick, even when their stresses are not that bad.
What's the difference? It seems that your capability to cope up with pressure and rest are even more important than the level of your pressure. How pressure impacts the immune system is definitely dependent on your capability to relax and manage pressure & anxiety.
Stress and the immune system are definitely connected. So, it is practical to learn how to handle stress so that you will not have to deal with sickness, condition or even auto-immune diseases:
- Asthma
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Heart Disease
- Cancer
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