Effects of Stress on Your Health

Stress affects your body systemically, not just one area.  Thisstress can originate from anywhere and, at a basic level, is your body’s reaction to situations that can be perceived as potentially dangerous.

How Stress Affects the Body

Our body responds to stress by altering the secretions of certain hormones and chemicals.  A majority of these secretions originate from the adrenal gland, a small gland that is situated on top of the kidneys and releases hormones that: control the “fight or flight” response, maintain metabolic processes (i.e. blood sugar levels), regulate the balance between salt and water, maintain pregnancy and finally, initiate and control sexual maturation.  In moderation, these hormones can help save your life, but for prolonged periods of time, they can have seriously detrimental effects.

Stress Hormones

Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, inhibits functions that are a detriment to the “fight or flight” response.  Specifically, it alters the immune system response and suppresses the digestive tract, reproductive system and growth processes.  As you can imagine, altering the immune system can leave you more susceptible to illness and suppressing the digestive tract can leave you feeling constipated and ill.  

Furthermore, cortisol increases the levels of glucose in your blood and enhances the brain’s use of glucose, likely leaving you craving unhealthy, fatty carbohydrates.  In combination, these effects can lead to: heart disease, sleep problems, digestive problems, depression, obesity, memory impairment and worsening of skin problems. Studies have shown that high levels of cortisol are associated with an increase in risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Another stress hormone is adrenaline (aka epinephrine) and is chiefly associated with the “fight or flight” response.  After your body internalizes a perceived threat, adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, resulting in an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and energy supplies.  In an attempt to supply your muscles and brain with blood, adrenaline also cuts off the blood supply to the skin. 

For prolonged periods of time, this can manifest as hair loss or acne.  Furthermore, because of its relaxation effect on smooth muscles, epinephrine allows you to breathe more intensely, as the lungs contain smooth muscle.

Stress and Your Sex Life

Aldosterone and the sex hormones, to a lesser extent, are also affected by stress.  Aldosterone stimulates water and salt reabsorption by the kidneys, which, in excess, can result in increased blood pressure and edema.  Stress hormones can inhibit the sex hormone gonadotropin releasing hormone, which results in a reduction in sperm count, ovulation and sexual desire.  

In women, stress leads to a decrease in estrogen and progesterone production and an increase in cortisol levels.  This combination often results in irregular, painful menstrual cycles and can negatively impact emotions (e.g. crying, depression, anger) and sex drive.  In men, stress causes a decrease in testosterone and an increase in cortisol, resulting in fatigue and a diminished sex drive.