Long Last Effects of Stress
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Our bodies are built do deal with stress through a physiological process called general adaptation syndrome (GAS). Certain changes take place within the body during stress that disrupt the normal physiologic mechanisms and cause a chance of diseases. To understand how stress affects the body in the long term, we need to take a look at this general adaptation syndrome.
GAS is made up of three stages: Alarm, Resistance, and Recovery or Exhaustion. Any physical or mental trauma will trigger an immediate set of reactions to combat the stress. In the alarm stage the body gets ready for action and releases a variety of hormones into the blood stream. Because the immune system is initially depressed, our normal levels of resistance are decreased, making us more prone to infection and disease. Eventually, sometimes very quickly, we adapt to stress, and theres a tendency to become more resistant to illness and disease. Our immune system is having to work overtime during this period, trying to keep up with all the demands put on it. We get used to our situation and figure we can resist the effects of stress no matter what. That there is the danger; believing we are immune from the effects of stress. If the stress is not severe or long-lasting, we have the ability to bounce back and recover rapidly. If that isnt the case a point of exhaustion takes over. If our body is not able to maintain homeostasis, we tend to develop a sudden drop in our resistance level. We dont all necessarily experience the same resistance and tolerance to stress, but everyone who develops an immunity will at some point collapse. Lifes everyday mechanisms slow down and sputter, organs begin to break down, and stress-fighting reserves finally come to a screeching halt.
It is in the exhaustion stage of GAS when the long term effects of stress begin to set in. Yes your body attempts to adjust to the constant and levels of stress, but this results in significant wear and tear. A number of systems and organs are being compromised at during this time, which can lead to illness. In particular, excessive stress can cause damage to the following three systems: Cardiovascular system, Gastrointestinal system, and the Immune system.
Long term effects of stress on the cardio system could potentially result in increased heart rate, high blood pressure, damaged blood cells, and increase in cholesterol levels. All of these being triggers to eventually having cardiovascular disease. With stress your heart beasts more frequently to pump more blood. Then the blood pressure can rise is the stress is chronic. Stress can cause your blood vessels the constrict, reducing the amount of blood flow around organs and body tissue. Also stress causes the release of cholesterol into the blood stream. When there is too much cholesterol it builds up on the walls of the coronary arteries, restricting the flow of blood to the heart. If arteries become