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.

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 Get Rid of Eczema Quickly

It's not easy living with eczema, but if you can learn how to get rid of eczema, you could save yourself a lot of pain and suffering. Eczema is a type of skin inflammation that is characterized by itchy skin rashes. Eczema can appear on almost any part of the body, but it's most common in the areas of the skin that are most sensitive, usually the hands and the knees. This condition can be extremely annoying, but it's not without treatment. Here are some tips for finding a good treatment for eczema. In order to prevent eczema from flaring up, you should make sure to keep your skin clean and moisturized as often as possible. Use a mild soap and warm water to wash your skin twice daily. Try to stay away from harsh detergents and scented soaps, as these may irritate the skin and lead to eczema. Moisturize after cleansing, using a moisturizing cream or lotion that does not contain fragrance. If you feel that your skin is dry, try a water-based night cream instead of oil-based on...

What Are Your Choices For Treatments For Acne?

When you think of treatments for acne, what are the first ideas that come to your mind? Many people turn to over-the-counter drugs and lotions to treat their acne. While these products can give some initial relief, they do not treat the underlying causes of acne and it can take months or even years for acne to clear up. For many people, this is simply not an effective way to deal with the problem. There are many alternative treatments available today. Some of the most common acne treatments in Australia include oral preparations, which are usually applied directly to the affected skin (typically applied with a suppository or pads) or taken orally with a glass of water. In some cases, a combination of a few different acne treatments (for example, isotretinoin and light therapy or photodynamic therapy) is recommended in order to get the best possible results. Topical preparations that are applied to the surface of the skin are also used to treat acne. They are often used for moderate to ...

The Relationship Between Allergies and Asthma

Allergies and asthma are both the most frequent chronic respiratory diseases in the nation. Asthma is an allergic respiratory condition that makes breathing very difficult and causes the airways to narrow. It afflicts 1 in every thirteen individuals. It is also known as allergic rhinitis or dust asthma. Studies show that up to seventy percent of all asthmatics have allergies. There is more than one million American children suffering from allergies and asthma. Most allergy sufferers are kids between the ages of two and nineteen. One allergy is responsible for nearly twenty percent of hospital admissions for children in America. This means that an allergy that affects one in thirteen American children, can result in lost time at school and daycare because of the need for special care. Approximately one in seven school-age children in America suffer from an allergy. Approximately one in seven children in America also suffer from an asthmatic attack. An allergic reaction may occur after e...

How To Reduce Your Exposure To Allergic Reactions To Ragweed

Ragweed is probably one of the worst known environmental allergens which doctors to see, and it is estimated that up to 10 percent of Americans have it. "It's everywhere - on our clothes, the foods we eat, our cars, even our hands," says Mary E. Zuber, MD, a dermatologist in Scarsville, Utah. "We know that ragweed has the potential to cause problems for people who suffer from asthma or allergic rhinitis." What's more, the extent of the problem is probably under-recognized, since many patients do not realize they're prone to ragweed until it is too late. Unfortunately, the extent of the problem may also be under-treated, because doctors are less likely to look for skin rashes, itchy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, and chest congestion - all classic signs of ragweed allergy in humans. Even in areas where ragweed allergy is not common, the plant can still be a big problem, especially during ragweed season (also called autumn leaf fever) when it launc...

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