In previous posts, I talked about stress and stressors. The biology of stress is a clear example of how our mind can affect our bodies. Stress response starts with a mental phenomenon, which is when in our mind we appraise a situation as threatening or even unpleasant. This starting point can lead to a cascade of biological reactions. Hence, a mental or psychological experience, through our nervous, endocrine and immunological systems, turns into a somatic or physical phenomenon. These physical phenomena can, in turn, affect mental status. In this way, our interactions with the world, either our inside bodily world or the outer world are complex mental-bodily reactions. Our being in the world is of a psychosomatic nature. It is no wonder that the stress reactions, if repeated and chronic, can cause or aggravate different types of diseases.
The list of disorders exacerbated by stress is long. Let’s have a look at some of the more common stress-related diseases.
Cardiovascular diseases: We know that the two most prevalent diseases in this group, that is, heart attack and hypertension are strongly related to chronic stress. Different kinds of stressors, like anger, hostility, low socioeconomic status have some role in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Today we have enough evidence that stress management strategies can help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Even people who already have these diseases can benefit from some form of stress-reducing programme.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Stress can affect gastric acid secretion, small and large intestine muscle contraction and small intestinal mucosal function. Stress gastric ulcers, which are inflammation and erosion of gastric and duodenal mucosa, occur in severe physiological stress, like in critically ill patients. The usual peptic ulcers, which are caused by a bacteria called H.pylori, may also become more severe and prolonged by stress, possibly due to impairment of the healing process caused by stress reaction. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has a clear association with stressful life situations.
Immune function: Stress has an adverse impact on immune function. Some diseases that are related to the immune system, like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, are clearly associated with stress.
Chronic pain: In many cases of chronic pain there is a close association between pain and chronic stress. Chronic stress may cause a muscle spasm, and chronic pain can act as a stressor. Usually, a vicious loop is formed, resulting in both worsening of the pain and impairment of the coping reactions to pain.
Skin disorders: Many dermatological diseases, like psoriasis, different types of eczema, some viral skin infections, like herpes labialis (cold sore) have a strong correlation with stress.
Considering the fact that we are living in a very stress prone life conditions, it seems that some sort of stress reduction activity or relaxation therapy could be beneficial to most of us.
