Effects Of Stress On The Body
By Valerie Mellema
Human stress © Elena Ray BigStockPhoto
Stress is typically defined as a type of change in your life that causes physical, psychological and emotional strain. There is actually more than one type of stress and all stress isn't necessarily bad for you.
Eustress
This is the type of stress that makes life exciting and fun. Eustress keeps us alive and "in the game." Examples of this type of stress include skiing down a slope or trying to beat someone in a physical competition.
Acute Stress
This type of stress is a short-term stress that can be in two forms. This stress can be eustress or it can be distress. While eustress is positive stress, distress is what we typically consider to be typical "stress." This type of stress is what you deal on a daily basis, such as dealing with road rage or workplace stress.
Episodic Acute Stress
Acute stress seems to run rampant. It is the type of stress that has been the responsible for people coining terms such as "drama queen." This type of stress is often a way of life, but it also creates relative chaos in life as well.
Chronic Stress
This is the type of stress that seems to be never-ending in life. Whatever you do you just can't get away whether it is your overly taxing job or a bad marriage. This is also the type of stress that is responsible for burnout. Chronic stress is also the type of stress responsible for stress-influenced conditions. The effects of stress on the body often include:
- Depression
- Hair Loss
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Obesity
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Tooth and Gum Disease
- Ulcers
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Anxiety Disorder
Those who suffer from chronic stress are also responsible for approximately 90% of the doctor's visits each day.
Chronic stress is also harmful because it triggers the body's fight or flight response. During this response, the body causes reactions causing adrenalin and cortisol to be released. This can cause an increased heart rate, the shunting of blood flow to the major muscle groups, slowed digestion and other nervous system functions. The problem, however, is that you're in this state of "fight or flight" for extended periods of time and the body never has the opportunity to relax and release the pent up hormones and return back to normal function.
In some instances, chronic stress can cause people to develop medical conditions known as stress-related disorders. These disorders often require medication or another form of treatment. Individuals who suffer from excessive anxiety often develop depression or unhealthy or compulsive behaviors. These individuals should seek the assistance of a health care professional so that these symptoms do not turn into something more serious.
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