Chronic Stress

Introduction

Stress has become recognised in many westernised societies and elsewhere as part of everyday modern life. Family pressures, strained relationships, job pressures, having too much to do but never enough time, physical traumas, emotional traumas and environmental toxins are a few of the wide variety of factors (known as stressors) which can create a feeling of stress. They trigger positive biological changes within the body to produce the stress response for which the body has a control mechanism so that it goes unnoticed.

However, when stress is excessive, prolonged or repeated over a period of time, the adrenal glands and other glands which are involved in the control mechanism can be over strained and these stress responses can then become harmful to the body. The body is in the “fight or flight” response state continuously but without having the physical activity the body is prepared for. If in excess over a long period of time, the excess of the hormones involved as well as the continuous increased demand on the organs and systems concerned results in increased risk of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and cancer. The organs at increased risk are the heart, blood vessels, adrenal glands, digestive and immune systems.

The Symptoms

How to recognise stress – When a person is frightened adrenaline is secreted, this surge of adrenaline through the body can be easily recognised. During any of the above situations adrenaline and cortisols are being secreted by the adrenal glands which bring about the changes necessary to meet the emergency, but because there is no physical danger to escape from adrenaline causes us to feel anxious, nervous and stressed.
Many people are not sensitive enough to recognize what is making them feel stressed but are able to notice the physical signs of stress which include: fatigue, headaches, irritability, depression, disturbed sleep, stomach upsets and digestive problems.
The following conditions and symptoms have been associated with stress:

• Suppressed immune system.
• Allergies.
• Angina.
• Autoimmune disease.
• Asthma.
• Cardiovascular problems.
• Common cold.
• Depression.
• Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 diabetes).
• Hypertension.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Menstrual irregularities
• Premenstrual syndrome.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Headaches.
• Aches and pains.
• Ulcerative colitis.
• Ulcers.
• Indigestion.
• Constipation.
• Insomnia.
• Weight problems.
• Increased or Loss of appetite.
• Hypoglycaemia.
• Hypothyroidism.

This list in not exhaustive. In fact, there are only a few health problems to which chronic stress does not contribute or exacerbate.

Who is at Risk?

Anybody can be at risk of stress, from the hour of birth to old age. The level of risk depends on the stressor, for example, a baby delivered by forceps or after a prolonged labour will suffer from stress, so will a student writing exams or a person who is bereaved. The biological changes that take place in the body and the organs and systems involved are the same in each case.

The Causes

Chronic stress can be caused by bad or even very exciting events such as winning the lottery. The amount of stress that is eventually caused depends on how an individual’s adrenal glands and other organs are placed to respond to the situation. Stressful events or situations which commonly cause a lot of stress to most people are: Bereavement in the family, loss of a spouse, loss of income, health problems, hospitalisation and surgery, getting married, marriage break-up, starting or increasing a family, financial debts, moving house, parents’ separation, retirement, promotion in a job, a new job and pregnancy to mention just a few. The level of stress varies from person to person depending on their emotional and general health status and how healthy their immune system and adrenal glands are.

Those with stress or any of the above symptoms might like to consider **Nutritional consultation, Food allergy tests.

Managing Stress - Most people unconsciously develop ways for coping with stress, but in most cases these are negative and harmful to health. The common, harmful coping methods are:

• Over-eating.
• Dependence on alcohol, drugs or cigarettes.
• Obsession with watching television.
• Emotional outbursts.
• Feeling helpless or giving up.
• Over-spending or shopping sprees.
• Extreme behaviour - usually bad.

Stress can be effectively managed by making the following positive approaches part of the treatment programme:

• A diet that supports the physiological and biochemical processes involved in stress responses.
• Nutritional supplements to nourish the body as a whole, especially the adrenal glands and the immune system.
• Ways of calming the mind and creating a positive mental attitude.
• Exercise.
• Time management.