Corticosterone and Stress - How Does it Affect the Body?

The body's reaction to stress is also known as the fight-or-fear response that was a very important survival mechanism in the Paleolithic era. It allows other mammals and human beings to react rapidly to life threatening situations. However, in today's society, the fight-or-fear response is muted and is only used when there is no immediate threat. Other than this, the body can also respond to non-life-threatening stressors, such as work pressure, traffic jams, household problems, and the like.

One of the many effects of chronic unpredictable stress on the body is the elevation of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. When stressed out, people tend to have higher levels of these two lipids. In addition to this, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines also rise. These cytokines are linked to the activation of the pro-inflammatory enzyme, which in turn increases the levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Another effect of stress on the body is that it can trigger the development of cardiovascular disease. When a person is continuously exposed to high levels of stress for prolonged periods, their body begins to adapt by weakening its ability to process and handle stress as well as decreases the strength and flexibility of its immune system. When this happens, inflammation occurs in the arteries and the heart becomes compromised.

The increased blood pressure and the weakened heart can lead to a variety of negative effects on the physical health of an individual. Not only does this translate to increased morbidity and disability, but it can also lead to the onset of heart disease and stroke. In addition, the increased triglyceride level in the blood is directly linked to the increased levels of physical stress. A study conducted by Duke University demonstrated that those who are always feeling good were not only less likely to suffer from coronary artery disease; they also exhibited improved cardiovascular health. Other studies have supported these findings by showing that stress reduction is directly correlated to improved survival and reduced hospitalization for high blood pressure.

Stress affects a person's mental health. When under acute stress, the brain releases chemicals such as cortisol, a stress hormone, into the bloodstream. Cortisol acts as a calming mechanism and helps the body return to a state of normalcy. However, when the body is constantly exposed to prolonged stress, the brain's natural calming mechanisms are not sufficiently developed and the adrenal glands are over stimulated, which results in the release of even more stress hormones into the bloodstream.

There are several additional negative effects of stress on the body that are not directly related to the symptoms of high blood pressure. Individuals who are regularly stressed may experience insomnia, memory loss, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and muscle tension. These physical changes are felt in the cardiovascular system, which weakens the heart and increases the risk of cardiac arrest or stroke. Chronic stress also contributes to digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and gastritis.

In addition to the physical effects of stress on the body, certain types of cancer have been linked to such conditions as chronic unpredictable stress. These rodents were exposed to high amounts of stress in order to test the effects on the animals' health. During the study, the rats were placed in stressful situations for extended periods of time and their bodies were examined after a period of weeks. After testing, it was found that the rats' testes were damaged and this resulted in them developing testicular tumors.

The research is preliminary at this point and there is no clear conclusion regarding whether the testicular tumors are caused by the long-term exposure to chronic stress. However, the scientists noted that the testes of these older rats were significantly larger than the controls. In addition, it appears that chronic stress has a domino effect on the body and specifically, the brain. The researchers believe that the increased size of the testes was due to the cortisol, which is a hormone produced when the body is under stress, binding to the cell membranes of the testes. While this has been shown to have an effect on tumors in human cancers, this study did not directly focus on the effect of cortisol on tumors in younger rats which makes the current study all the more important.

How to Manage Stress

Stress they and your kids will suffer; it's a sad fact that stress them will lead to lack of sleep. Lack of sleep can be a serious threat to your mental health. There is an old saying "A tired mind is a productive mind." So make time to relax, take a deep breath, put your feet up or on the couch, take a shower, listen to music, meditate, whatever helps you relax and calm the anxiety and depression. Try to be positive and optimistic and if you can, try to avoid stressful situations when possible. You want to break the cycle of anxiety and depression. And the easiest way to do that is to avoid the stress and anxiety. When we are confronted with a stressful situation, what do we do? We try to fight the stress, either by taking a nap or in other ways. When we have a choice, we turn to the television or computer or both. When the choice is between working and being with our children, we choose the TV or the computer. When the choice is between going to work and being with our ...

Choosing Facial Eczema Cream and Ointments

Facial Eczema (PE) is an inflammatory disease that causes low production of skin, irritation and sometimes burning and even death. Facial Eczema is most commonly caused by a toxin (sporansmines) produced by the Sporales moulding on pasture in warm, damp conditions. The toxins are airborne and can become airborne in dust particles and settled in the lower respiratory tract when breathing air, and they become even more airborne when a person coughs or sneezes. The toxins can also be swallowed when a sufferer eats food with a crusty taste resembling mold or slimy cheese. The toxins then enter the bloodstream when the sufferer inhales them via the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose and travel to different parts of their body. This allergic reaction triggers the release of histamines (also known as lignins) which cause the skin to become inflamed and dry. Normally there are normally some immune cells that protect the face from irritants such as pollens, but under certain conditions the ...

What Are the Causes of Chest Pains?

What are chest pains? Simply put, they are a feeling of discomfort in the chest area. This can occur without any warning. The most common reason for their occurrence is stress. Stress can result in chest pains that may not be so easy to identify. This article will discuss some of the more common causes of these chest pains. First and foremost, a person who is stressed out will typically feel a constant sensation in their chest that is referred to as chest pain. It typically begins in the upper left chest and gradually moves down to the right chest. In addition, it may also occur in the shoulders or even in the abdomen area. A heart attack is often mistaken for this type of chest pain, however, it is not a proven diagnosis. Heart attacks usually occur in the lung area or in the neck area. Both of these areas contain blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. If a heart attack occurs, the person will experience chest pain along with palpitations or sweating in the area. An...

How To Reduce Stress - Simple Techniques

People have different ways of coping with stress and in the pursuit of how to reduce stress levels, it is important that we consider all the possible options available. The first step towards reducing stress levels is to adopt a mindfulness practice. The easiest way to practice mindfulness is to simply be aware of the present moment. In this state of consciousness you are more open to possibilities and less susceptible to being distracted by the many external factors of which we are often unaware. The second step on the road to improving our mental health and stress levels is to engage in some form of mindfulness exercise or mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere, anytime. However, it seems to work best when it is done while you are sitting quietly in a comfy chair, reading a book, or watching the television. If you are able to dedicate thirty minutes each day to doing some form of mindfulness meditation, you will find yourself much more relaxed and focused on th...

Common Allergens And Their Symptoms

Testing for food allergies is an important step to determine if you have a reaction to a particular food or drink. An intolerance to foods that are common allergens will cause a negative response to the same foods when they are consumed. The most common food allergies include peanuts, shellfish, wheat, cow's milk and tree nuts. Each of these foods contain different sets of proteins that can cause a negative reaction. Some common allergens include: Allergic reactions can be triggered by several factors. Exposure to allergens is one of the main factors. In the past, food allergies were often attributed to poor digestion or other unknown reasons. Today, however, doctors have identified specific genes or cells within the immune system that can cause allergic reactions. It has been proven that people with these genes are more susceptible to food allergies. If testing for food allergies is done according to the specific foods identified in the digestive system, then it is more likely to ...

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