Stress Health - The Link Between Stress and Health

Stress Health shows the link between stress and health.

Have you ever wondered why after a period of high stress you might be more susceptible to getting the cold that is going around?

Well that is because stress and the immune system are related.

The immune system is your body's defense system for keeping out invading bacteria and viruses.

But stress weakens this defense system.

But the effect of stress on health is more than just catching a cold or flu.

A lower immune effectiveness can result in greater tumor growth, less healing ability of wounds and increased chances of heart disease.

Stress has also been implicated as a trigger for irritable bowel syndrome and can result in premature hair loss.

Stress can also influence the amount of intestinal gas in the digestive tract. This can be uncomfortable and annoying, and sometimes downright embarrassing.

One of the hormones that are released in the stress response is cortisol.

Cortisol is secreted from the adrenal gland which is the fuel to either fight or flee from the cause of stress. However, cortisol also results in an increase in blood pressure.

Prolonged high levels of cortisol can result in high blood pressure and, with other risk factors, contribute to the incidence of heart disease.

Stress can also influence glucose levels through several pathways (either through increased cortisol, the effects of adrenalin and nor adrenalin or the secretion of glucagon). Everthing About Diabetes can help you to find ways to manage and control your diabetes.

Another way that stress influences health is related to the behavior that people adopt when under stress.

For example, people may be more likely to smoke more, drink more coffee or alcohol and eat fatty foods - this can cause stress weight gain.

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These are factors that may influence the incidence of health and possibly cancer.

Stress also plays a role in aging. See this website for more ideas on antiaging tips. A health living plan with adequate exercise and the right nutrition can be an important way to reduce stress effects on health.

Discover different ways to deal with stress without taking medication.

Thus stress relievers are important for your stress health. Natural stress relievers such as meditation and progressive muscle relaxation can activate the relaxation response, which counters the stress response.

Take our poll on "How does stress affect health" for you.

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